Viewers should show the title, not the file name

PDF/UA check METADATA_DISPLAY_TITLE · Metadata · severity Low · PDF/UA 8.11.2 Interactive aspects

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Why it matters#

This setting tells PDF viewers to show the document title instead of the filename. 'Q4_Report_Final_v2.pdf' is less helpful than 'Quarterly Financial Report Q4 2024' for users navigating between documents.

What you will see#

The document is set to display its file name in the window title bar instead of its real title.

How to fix#

Add a ViewerPreferences dictionary to the document catalog and set /DisplayDocTitle to true. In Acrobat: File > Properties > Initial View > Show: Document Title.

Step-by-step guide#

1. First ensure the document has a real title (File > Properties > Description > Title) - viewers can only display a title that exists; see rule DOC_TITLE.
2. Open File > Properties > Initial View and set Window Options > Show to Document Title.
3. Save the file. This creates the ViewerPreferences dictionary in the document catalog with /DisplayDocTitle set to true, as required by PDF/UA-2 8.11.2.
4. For batch remediation, include the Initial View change in an Acrobat Action (Action Wizard) applied across files.

Verify: Re-run the EQChecker scan; METADATA_DISPLAY_TITLE passes when ViewerPreferences exists and DisplayDocTitle is true.

Note: 8.11.2 upgrades the ISO 32000-2 recommendation to a hard requirement: the ViewerPreferences dictionary shall be present and shall contain at least DisplayDocTitle with value true. A missing ViewerPreferences dictionary, a missing key, or a false value all fail this rule.

Fixing it in your authoring tool#

WCAG success criteria#

2.4.2 Page Titled — Level A#

Each page needs a descriptive <title> that identifies its topic or purpose.

Understanding 2.4.2

Standards#

This check contributes to the following standards:

PDF/UA WCAG A EN 301 549