WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging platforms globally, allowing users to stay connected with ease. While we are all familiar with sending plain text messages, did you know WhatsApp enables you to format your text? This feature can be incredibly useful, especially when you want to emphasise specific parts of your message, make your point stand out, or even clearly show corrections.

Formatting your text helps you communicate more effectively, whether you're chatting casually or professionally. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of using bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, and other formatting options to make your WhatsApp messages more engaging and visually appealing.

Why Is Text Formatting on WhatsApp Important?

When communicating online, it’s easy to misinterpret tone or intent, especially when the conversation lacks body language or facial expressions. Text formatting is a valuable tool that can bridge this gap, ensuring that your words are understood the way you intend. Here’s how formatting on WhatsApp can enhance your messages:

• It helps clarify your points and adds emphasis to important details.

• It makes your messages visually appealing, making it easier for recipients to quickly grasp the information.

• It improves overall communication, whether for personal chats or business-related conversations.

How to Bold Text on WhatsApp

Bold text is an excellent way to draw attention to specific words or phrases, making them stand out. It’s a simple yet effective way to highlight important information in a message. Here’s how you can apply bold text in WhatsApp:

1. Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat where you want to send a bold message.

2. Type your message.

3. To make a word or phrase bold, enclose it in asterisks (*). For example, if you want to highlight “urgent,” you would type: *urgent*

4. After sending the message, the word inside the asterisks will appear in bold to the recipient.

When to Use Bold Text

Bold text should be used sparingly and strategically. Here are a few situations where bold text can make a real impact:

• To highlight keywords or phrases that you want the reader to notice immediately.

• To emphasise important instructions or steps in a guide or process.

• To add emotional emphasis to a message, making it more dynamic.

How to Use Italics on WhatsApp

Italics are perfect for adding subtle emphasis to a word or phrase. It provides a more subtle emphasis compared to bold text. It’s especially useful for expressing tone, making something appear as a thought or an inner reflection. Here's how to use italics on WhatsApp:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chat where you want to send an italicised message.

2. Type your message.

3. To italicise a word or phrase, place underscores (_) around it. For example, if you want to make “hello” italicised, you would type: _hello_

4. Once you send the message, the text inside the underscores will appear in italics.

When to Use Italics

Italics are great for situations where you want to emphasise something more gently than with bold text. Here’s when italics are particularly useful:

• To highlight a word or phrase with a softer emphasis.

• When referencing titles of books, movies, or quotes.

• To convey inner thoughts or reflections, adding a personal touch to informal messages.

Can You Underline Text on WhatsApp?

Unfortunately, WhatsApp doesn't support underlining text directly within the app. However, you can still emphasise key points by using other formatting tricks or third-party apps to generate underlined text, which can then be copied and pasted into WhatsApp.

How to Use Strikethrough on WhatsApp

Strikethrough text is perfect for showing corrections, deletions, or updates to previous messages. It’s a clear and effective way to indicate changes without erasing the original content. Here’s how to strike through text on WhatsApp:

1. Write your message.

2. To apply a strikethrough, simply wrap the word or phrase with tildes (~). For example, to strike through the word "error," type: ~error~

3. After sending the message, the word inside the tildes will appear with a line through it.

When to Use Strikethrough

Strikethrough is particularly useful in the following scenarios:

• When you’ve made a mistake and want to show the corrected version without completely deleting the original text.

• In professional settings, to show updates or changes to previous information.

• In casual conversations, to add a playful or humorous touch, indicating edits or changes.

Additional WhatsApp Formatting Tips

Now that you know how to apply bold, italics, and strikethrough, let’s explore some other tips for more dynamic and attractive formatting:

1. Combining Multiple Formats

WhatsApp allows you to combine different text formats in one message for extra emphasis. Here are some examples:

• Bold and Italic

If you want to give extra emphasis, combine bold and italics. Example: important.

• Bold and Strikethrough

To show something that was once important but is now cancelled, use bold with a strikethrough. Example: cancelled.

• Italics and Strikethrough

This combination works well when showing something that was considered but is no longer relevant. Example: old idea.

2. Adding Emojis

Emojis can help set the tone of your message, and when used alongside text formatting, they make your message even more engaging. For example, adding emojis to bold or italicised text can enhance the message’s emotional tone: Important: Meeting at 10 AM ⏰.

3. Don’t Overdo It

While formatting can make your messages more engaging, it’s important not to overuse it. Overusing formatting can make your message look cluttered and detract from the key message. Stick to one or two formats at a time and use them strategically to enhance your communication.

Conclusion

WhatsApp’s text formatting options provide an easy and effective way to enhance your messages. By using bold, italics, and strikethrough, you can highlight key points, correct mistakes, and make your messages more engaging. While underlining is not natively supported, creative workarounds can help you emphasise important text. 

Remember to use these formatting tools wisely and keep your messages clean, clear, and easy to read. By mastering WhatsApp formatting, you can improve how your messages are received, whether you're chatting with friends, sharing news, or communicating in a professional setting.