How WhatsApp text formatting works
Some messaging apps recognize plain-text markers around words and display those words in a different style. This formatter adds the markers around text you select: asterisks for bold, underscores for italic, tildes for strikethrough, and backticks for monospace. For example, surrounding a word with asterisks produces text like *important*.
The preview intentionally shows the marker characters. They are the actual text you copy and paste; the receiving app may render them as styling when the message is sent. Formatting support can vary by app version or context, so check the result in your own chat before relying on a particular style.
Format and copy text
- Write or paste your message in the editor.
- Select the word or phrase you want to style. On a phone, press and hold the text, then adjust the selection handles.
- Tap Bold, Italic, Strike, or Monospace. The matching marker is placed around the selected text.
- Review the preview and copy. Paste the result into WhatsApp and review it before sending.
Choose formatting that helps the reader
Use bold sparingly for a short heading or key date. Italic can mark a title or a gentle aside. Strikethrough is best for an intentional correction or joke, and monospace can make a short code or exact command easier to distinguish. Formatting an entire long message can make it harder to read, especially on a small screen.
Keep punctuation and line breaks intact
The editor preserves the message’s line breaks and surrounding text when a selection is formatted. If you format punctuation or select text that already contains markers, check the preview for doubled symbols and remove any you do not want before copying. The tool does not automatically rewrite your wording.
Privacy-conscious editing
Text stays in the page while you work and is not submitted to an Instaustad formatting service. Avoid pasting passwords, authentication codes, or other sensitive information into any online text field. Clear the editor when you are finished, especially on a shared device.