ATS Formatting: Fonts, Columns, and File Types

Why Resume Formatting Matters for ATS

You might have the perfect qualifications for a role, but if the Applicant Tracking System cannot read your resume correctly, none of it matters. Formatting is one of the most overlooked aspects of resume optimization. A visually stunning resume can be completely invisible to an ATS if it uses the wrong layout, font, or file type.

This guide covers exactly what formatting choices help your resume pass ATS screening and what choices hurt it.

Best File Types for ATS

The file type you save your resume as has a direct impact on whether the ATS can parse it:

• .docx (Microsoft Word) — The safest option. Almost every ATS on the market handles .docx files flawlessly. If the job posting does not specify a format, use this one.
• .pdf — Works with most modern ATS platforms, but some older systems may drop text or misread layouts. Use PDF only when you need to preserve exact visual formatting.
• .txt — Universal compatibility, but zero formatting control. Use only if explicitly requested.
• .pages, .rtf, .odt — Avoid these. Many ATS systems cannot process them at all.

Best Fonts for ATS

The font you choose affects both ATS readability and human impression. Stick to clean, standard, widely available fonts:

Font	Type	ATS Safe?
Calibri	Sans-serif	Yes
Arial	Sans-serif	Yes
Helvetica	Sans-serif	Yes
Times New Roman	Serif	Yes
Georgia	Serif	Yes
Cambria	Serif	Yes
Roboto	Sans-serif	Usually
Comic Sans	Casual	Technically, but do not

Keep your font size between 10pt and 12pt for body text, and 14pt to 16pt for headings. Anything smaller may be difficult for both ATS parsers and human recruiters to read.

Columns: Single vs. Multi-Column

This is one of the biggest ATS formatting pitfalls. Multi-column resumes look modern and polished, but many ATS platforms read them left to right across the full page width, mixing content from both columns together.

The result is garbled text that makes no sense to the parser:

• Left column says: "Software Engineer at Google"
• Right column says: "Bachelor's in Computer Science"
• ATS reads: "Software Engineer at Google Bachelor's in Computer Science"

Stick to a single-column layout for ATS-submitted resumes. If you want a two-column design for networking or in-person interviews, create a separate version. For more on this, check our ATS-Friendly Resume Guide.

Headers, Footers, and Contact Information

Many job seekers put their name and contact details in the document header. This is a mistake. Most ATS systems ignore header and footer content entirely.

Instead, place your contact information in the body of the document at the very top:

• Full Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• City, State
• LinkedIn URL (optional)

Do not use icons for phone, email, or location. The ATS cannot interpret graphics.

Section Headings That ATS Systems Recognize

ATS software is trained to look for standard section headings. Use these exact labels:

• Work Experience or Professional Experience
• Education
• Skills or Technical Skills
• Certifications
• Summary or Professional Summary

Avoid creative alternatives like "Where I've Made an Impact," "My Toolkit," or "The Journey So Far." These non-standard headings will not be recognized as section labels.

Elements to Avoid

• Images and graphics — Logos, charts, photos, and infographics are invisible to most ATS parsers.
• Tables — Content inside table cells often gets scrambled or dropped during parsing.
• Text boxes — Many ATS systems ignore text boxes completely.
• Special characters — Decorative dividers, borders, and symbols may cause parsing errors.
• Colored text — Text colored white or in very light shades may be invisible to the parser.

The Bottom Line

ATS-friendly formatting does not mean boring formatting. It means making smart choices that balance visual appeal with machine readability. When in doubt, prioritize clarity. Our Resume Builder creates ATS-safe templates by default so you do not have to worry about these details.