Changing file ownership in Linux using the chown command requires a solid understanding of user and group IDs, but when it comes to messaging, knowing how to use bold italics and strikethrough in WhatsApp is way more practical for everyday chats. You might have seen friends send text that stands out with fancy formatting, and wondered how they did it. The good news is that WhatsApp has built-in text formatting tools that work on both Android and iPhone, and they are super easy to use once you know the tricks.
In this guide, I will show you exactly how to apply bold, italics, and strikethrough to your WhatsApp messages. You will also learn some extra formatting options like monospace and combining styles. By the end, you will be able to make your messages clearer, more expressive, and a lot more fun to read.
How To Use Bold Italics And Strikethrough In Whatsapp
WhatsApp uses simple symbols called delimiters to format text. You type these symbols before and after the word or phrase you want to change. The app then automatically transforms the text when you send the message. It works in individual chats, group chats, and even in your status updates.
Let me break down each formatting style step by step. I will cover the basic symbols, show you examples, and give you tips to avoid common mistakes.
Using Bold Text In WhatsApp
Bold text is great for emphasizing important words or headlines. To make text bold, you put an asterisk (*) right before and right after the word or phrase.
Here is the exact format:
- Type: *your text here*
- Result: your text here
For example, if you type “I *really* enjoyed the movie”, it will appear as “I really enjoyed the movie”. The asterisks disappear, and only the bold effect remains.
Important tips for bold formatting:
- No spaces between the asterisk and the first letter. Wrong: * hello *
- Correct: *hello*
- You can bold a single word or an entire sentence.
- Bold works in both Android and iOS versions of WhatsApp.
Using Italics In WhatsApp
Italics are perfect for adding a subtle emphasis, like book titles or foreign words. To italicize text, you use the underscore symbol (_) before and after the text.
Format:
- Type: _your text here_
- Result: your text here
Example: “Have you read _The Great Gatsby_?” becomes “Have you read The Great Gatsby?”
Common mistakes to avoid with italics:
- Using the hyphen (-) instead of underscore. Only underscore works.
- Forgetting to close the underscore. Both opening and closing symbols are required.
- Using italics inside a word that already has underscores, like in usernames.
Using Strikethrough In WhatsApp
Strikethrough text is useful for showing corrections, jokes, or sarcasm. It puts a line through the middle of your text. To use it, you wrap your text with the tilde symbol (~).
Format:
- Type: ~your text here~
- Result:
your text here
Example: “I ~love~ hate Monday mornings” shows as “I love hate Monday mornings”.
Tips for strikethrough:
- The tilde key is usually on the top left of your keyboard, next to the number 1.
- Hold the key for a second if you cannot find it.
- Strikethrough works great for editing messages without deleting them.
Combining Bold, Italics, And Strikethrough
You can mix these formatting styles in one message. For example, you might want a word that is both bold and italicized. To do this, you combine the symbols.
For bold and italics together:
- Type: *_your text here_*
- Result: your text here
For bold and strikethrough:
- Type: *~your text here~*
- Result:
your text here
For all three together:
- Type: *~_your text here_~*
- Result:
your text here
The order of symbols does not matter much, but it is easier to keep them consistent. Always close the symbols in the reverse order you opened them.
Using Monospace Text In WhatsApp
WhatsApp also offers monospace formatting, which makes text look like code or typewriter font. This is not one of the main three styles, but it is very useful for sharing commands or URLs.
To use monospace, wrap your text with three backticks (“`).
Format:
- Type: “`your text here“`
- Result:
your text here
Example: “Type “`chmod 755 file“` in the terminal” shows the command in a different font.
Monospace works well for:
- Sharing code snippets
- Highlighting file paths
- Making text stand out without bold or italics
Step-By-Step Guide For Android Users
If you use WhatsApp on an Android phone, the process is the same as on iPhone, but the keyboard might be slightly different. Here is a quick walkthrough:
- Open WhatsApp and go to any chat.
- Tap the text input field.
- Type the symbol for the style you want (asterisk, underscore, or tilde).
- Type your word or phrase right after the symbol, no space.
- Type the same symbol again at the end.
- Send the message. The formatting will appear automatically.
If you prefer, you can also use the formatting menu on Android. Here is how:
- Type your text normally in the chat.
- Select the text you want to format by long-pressing on it.
- A pop-up menu will appear. Tap the three dots (More) if needed.
- Choose Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, or Monospace.
- The symbols will be added automatically around your selected text.
This method is easier if you forget the symbols. It works on most Android versions of WhatsApp.
Step-By-Step Guide For IPhone Users
On an iPhone, the formatting process is nearly identical. You can type the symbols manually or use the selection menu.
To format manually on iPhone:
- Open a chat in WhatsApp.
- Tap the text field to bring up the keyboard.
- Type the symbol (asterisk, underscore, or tilde).
- Type your text immediately after.
- Close with the same symbol.
- Hit send.
To use the selection menu on iPhone:
- Type your message normally.
- Double-tap or long-press on a word to select it.
- Drag the blue handles to select more text if needed.
- Tap the arrow (>) or the BIU option that appears.
- Choose Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, or Monospace.
- The symbols will be inserted for you.
This menu method is very handy for long messages where you want to format only a few words.
Using Formatting In WhatsApp Web And Desktop
WhatsApp Web and the desktop app also support text formatting. The symbols work exactly the same way.
On a computer keyboard:
- Asterisk (*) is on the 8 key, shift+8.
- Underscore (_) is on the hyphen key, shift+hyphen.
- Tilde (~) is on the backtick key, shift+backtick (usually top left).
You can also use the selection method on WhatsApp Web:
- Type your message in the chat box.
- Highlight the text you want to format with your mouse.
- A small toolbar will appear above the selection.
- Click the B for bold, I for italics, S for strikethrough, or M for monospace.
- The symbols will be added automatically.
This toolbar is a time-saver if you do a lot of formatting on your computer.
Common Mistakes And How To Fix Them
Even experienced users sometimes make errors with WhatsApp formatting. Here are the most common problems and solutions:
- Formatting not showing: Make sure you are using the correct symbol. Asterisk for bold, underscore for italics, tilde for strikethrough.
- Symbols appearing in the message: This happens if there is a space between the symbol and the text. Remove the space.
- Only part of the text is formatted: Check that both opening and closing symbols are present. Missing one will break the formatting.
- Formatting works in preview but not after sending: This is rare, but try updating WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Cannot format emojis: Emojis do not support formatting. Only text characters work.
If you still have issues, try restarting the app or your phone. Most formatting problems are fixed by a simple restart.
Advanced Tips For Power Users
Once you master the basics, you can use formatting in creative ways. Here are some advanced tips:
- Format entire messages: You can apply bold or italics to an entire message by wrapping the whole text in symbols.
- Use formatting in status updates: Text formatting works in WhatsApp Status too. Just type your status text with symbols.
- Combine with line breaks: You can format each line of a multi-line message separately.
- Copy formatted text from other apps: If you copy text from a website or document, the formatting might not transfer. You need to reapply it in WhatsApp.
- Test before sending: Send a test message to yourself or a friend to see how the formatting looks.
These tips will help you look like a pro when chatting with friends or colleagues.
Why Formatting Matters In WhatsApp
Text formatting is not just for decoration. It serves real communication purposes:
- Clarity: Bold important points so readers do not miss them.
- Tone: Italics can show sarcasm or emphasis without extra words.
- Corrections: Strikethrough lets you show a mistake without deleting it.
- Organization: Formatting helps break up long messages into readable chunks.
In group chats, formatting can make announcements stand out. In professional settings, it shows attention to detail. Even in casual chats, it adds personality to your messages.
Formatting On Different Devices
WhatsApp formatting works consistently across all platforms. Whether you use Android, iPhone, WhatsApp Web, or the desktop app, the symbols are the same.
However, there are minor differences:
- On Android, the selection menu might appear differently depending on your phone model.
- On iPhone, the BIU menu is standard across all iOS versions.
- On desktop, the toolbar appears only when you highlight text.
If you switch devices often, memorize the symbols. That way, you can format text anywhere without relying on menus.
Troubleshooting Formatting Issues
Sometimes formatting does not work as expected. Here are solutions for common issues:
- Symbols appear instead of formatting: Update WhatsApp. Older versions might not support formatting.
- Formatting disappears after editing: When you edit a message, you need to reapply formatting symbols.
- Cannot format in group descriptions: Group descriptions do not support text formatting.
- Formatting not working in broadcast lists: Broadcast lists support formatting, but recipients must have updated WhatsApp.
If none of these solutions work, contact WhatsApp support through the app settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bold, italics, and strikethrough in WhatsApp status?
Yes, you can use all three formatting styles in WhatsApp Status. Just type the symbols before and after your status text. The formatting will appear when your contacts view your status.
Does formatting work in WhatsApp groups?
Absolutely. Text formatting works in both individual and group chats. All members will see the formatted text if they have a supported version of WhatsApp.
What if I forget the symbols for formatting?
You can use the selection menu instead. Long-press or double-tap the text you want to format, then choose Bold, Italic, or Strikethrough from the pop-up menu. This works on both Android and iPhone.
Can I format text in WhatsApp Web?
Yes, WhatsApp Web supports all text formatting. You can type the symbols manually or use the toolbar that appears when you highlight text. The toolbar has buttons for B (bold), I (italics), S (strikethrough), and M (monospace).
Why is my formatted text not showing correctly?
This usually happens due to spaces between the symbol and the text, or missing closing symbols. Double-check that you have no spaces and that both symbols are present. Also, ensure your WhatsApp app is updated to the latest version.
Final Thoughts On WhatsApp Text Formatting
Learning how to use bold italics and strikethrough in WhatsApp is a small skill that makes a big difference in your messaging. It helps you communicate more clearly, add personality, and avoid misunderstandings. The symbols are easy to remember: asterisk for bold, underscore for italics, and tilde for strikethrough.
Practice with a friend or in a test chat. Once you get used to the symbols, they will become second nature. You will wonder how you ever managed without them. Whether you are sharing a joke, correcting a typo, or emphasizing a point, formatting gives your words extra power.
So go ahead and try it now. Type a message with *bold*, _italics_, or ~strikethrough~. See how your friends react. They might ask you how you did it, and now you can show them. Happy formatting!