The best replacement for heading is bearing.

The best alternatives to heading are rated as following:
★★★★★  bearing
★★★★  headed
★★★  header
★★★  course
★★★  title
★★  letterhead
★★  true heading
★  going
★  subheading
★  track
★  subtitle
★  yaw
★  azimuth
★  headline
★  direction
★  mag heading
★  magnetic heading
  caption
  bearing gps
  i\u0027m headed
  cog
  course over ground
  keyword

Your alternative for heading is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about heading, one probably shouldn't forget about section.

Other search terms related to heading and their ratings are:
★★★★★ section
★★★ chapter
★★ search phrase in the category heading
You have in mind a companion for heading and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of heading in all years. Click on graph for more.
heading
bearing
headed