---
title: "Course Sections"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/course-sections/"
description: "NOTE: This feature was introduced in LearnDash 3.0 and works with the LearnDash 3.0 template. This feature does not work with the Legacy template. Course Sectio…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "LearnDash"
date: "2019-04-12"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# Course Sections

**NOTE**: This feature was introduced in **LearnDash 3.0** and works with the [ LearnDash 3.0 template](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/general-settings/#design_content_elements). This feature does not work with the Legacy template.

**Course Sections** offer a simple way to group lessons and topics into logical parts within a course. They don’t replace lessons or topics, but they help make long or complex courses easier to follow by breaking content into themed segments.

![Section headings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Section-heading-screenshots.png)## What Are Course Sections?

A **Course Section** is a heading used to divide course content into meaningful parts. These headings appear in the **Course Builder** and on the **course page**, making it easier for learners to navigate.

Here’s how course structure looks when sections are used:

**Course > Section > Lesson > Topic**

### Key Details:

- **Text-only headings**: Sections do not hold content directly. All learning content still lives inside lessons and topics.
- **Top-level only**: Sections can only be placed above lessons. They cannot be placed inside lessons or topics.
- **Unlimited use**: Add as many sections as needed to organize your course.
- **Course-specific**: Sections are created within a course and cannot be shared between courses.
- **Only visible if used**: Sections only display on the front end if they contain at least one lesson, topic, or quiz.

### When to Use Course Sections

Sections are most helpful for breaking a long course into smaller, more digestible parts. For example:

**Scenario:** A course includes 40 lessons, grouped into four major themes.  
**Solution:** Use sections to introduce each theme and group the related lessons beneath them.

**Example Layout:**

- **Theme 1: Introduction to Creative Writing***(Section Heading)*
    - Lesson 1
    - Lesson 2
    - …
    - Lesson 10
- **Theme 2: Writing Fiction***(Section Heading)*
    - Lesson 11
    - …

This structure makes the course easier to navigate and helps learners understand how content is organized.

## How to Use Sections

## How to Add a Course Section

Course sections are created directly in the **Course Builder**.

### To add a section:

1. Open the course in **LearnDash LMS > Courses**
2. Click the **Builder** tab
3. Click **+ New Section Heading**
4. Enter a name for your section
5. Press **Enter** or click **Add Section Heading**

Tip: To place the new section in a specific location, click a lesson to highlight it before adding the section. The section will appear just below the selected lesson.

![Add new section heading in LearnDash](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/learndash-add-new-section-heading-animation.gif)## Moving Course Sections

You can move sections just like lessons or topics in the Course Builder.

### To drag and drop a section:

1. Hover over the **six-dot icon** to the left of the section heading
2. Click and hold to drag it to a new position
3. Release to drop it in place

### To move a section one position at a time:

- Use the **up/down arrows** to the left of the section heading

![Move section headings in LearnDash](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/learndash-move-section-headings-animation.gif)To move a section up or down one level at a time:

1. Locate the up and down arrows immediately preceding the section heading
2. Click either arrow to move the section in your desired direction

## Removing a Course Section

To delete a section:

1. Hover over the section in the Course Builder
2. Click the **Remove** link in red

Note: Removing a section does not delete any lessons or topics beneath it.