SAN JOSE: Smileys, animal symbols, little hearts: emojis are usually the go-to visual tool in chat messages. But there is another way – using classic text formatting.
These formatting options can help make written messages easier, faster and simpler to read, or at least ensure that important information does not get missed.
Here is how three formatting classics work in WhatsApp chats:
1. Bold – with *asterisks*
To format text in bold in a message, just place an asterisk at the beginning and end of the text you want to bold – directly adjacent to it, with no spaces. Example: *this is how the text appears in bold*
2. Italic – with _underscores_
To set text in italics, wrap the relevant text in underscores. Example: _this is how the text appears in italics_
3. Strikethrough – with ~tildes~
To write in strikethrough, place a tilde (the wavy line) at the beginning and end of the relevant word or words. Example: ~this is how the text appears in strikethrough~
Many messaging apps support formatting
These options are not limited to WhatsApp – they also work in other messaging apps such as Slack. If in doubt, just try it out.
If it does not work, it is not the end of the world. The same formatting options can usually be accessed just as quickly in the context menu.
To do this, select the relevant text and, on a mobile device, press and hold it until the context menu appears with options such as Cut, Copy and Paste. A little further down, the formatting options you are looking for will usually appear. – dpa
