In Brief (TL;DR)
Quotes on WhatsApp are a fundamental tool for organizing conversations and giving context to messages.
Quoting a previous message can facilitate understanding of a long chat between two or more people.
They can be used to answer questions, refer to previous messages, highlight important passages, and share information with others.
The devil is in the details. 👇 Keep reading to discover the critical steps and practical tips to avoid mistakes.
WhatsApp has become one of the leading communication platforms globally, allowing billions of users to connect with friends, family, and colleagues. Beyond basic functions, WhatsApp offers formatting tools that allow you to make messages clearer, more organized, and expressive. Among these, the ability to add quotes on WhatsApp proves particularly useful for providing context to conversations and avoiding misunderstandings.
This complete guide explores the quotes feature on WhatsApp in detail, illustrating how to best use it to improve communication. We will learn how to quote messages quickly and easily, both on smartphones and WhatsApp Web, and discover tips and tricks for managing quotes effectively. We will analyze the various situations where quotes prove to be a valuable tool, from answering specific questions to sharing important information.
Whether you are an expert user or a WhatsApp newbie, this guide will provide you with the knowledge needed to master the art of quoting and communicate more clearly, concisely, and effectively.
What is a quote on WhatsApp?
On WhatsApp, a quote allows you to include a previous message within a new message, adding context to it. This function is extremely useful in several situations:
- Answering a specific question: By quoting the question, you eliminate any ambiguity and ensure the answer is relevant.
- Referring to a previous message: When you want to comment on or elaborate on a specific point from a past conversation.
- Highlighting an important passage: Using quotes to highlight a relevant phrase or piece of information.
- Sharing a message with others: By quoting a message, you can easily forward it to another chat or group.
Quotes improve the clarity of conversations, especially in crowded groups or when discussing complex topics, as they directly link the response to the reference message, minimizing the potential for confusion.
How to quote a message on WhatsApp
Adding quotes to a message on WhatsApp is very simple. Follow these steps:
- Open the chat where the message to be quoted is located.
- Tap and hold the message you wish to quote.
- In the toolbar that appears at the top, tap the icon with the arrow pointing to the left.
- Type your message in the text box.
- Send the message.
An alternative method to add quotes (quote style) to a WhatsApp message is to type the greater-than symbol followed by a space before the text to be quoted: “> text to quote”.
Quotes on WhatsApp: tips and tricks
Here are some useful tips for using quotes effectively on WhatsApp:
- Multiple quotes: It is possible to quote multiple messages at once. Tap and hold a message, select the other messages you wish to quote, and tap the arrow icon.
- Long quotes: If the message you want to quote is very long, WhatsApp will show only part of the text. To view the entire message, tap on the quote.
- Deleting a quote: To delete a quote before sending the message, tap the “x” that appears next to the quote.
- Open the desired conversation
Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone and open the individual or group chat containing the specific message you want to reply to using the quote function.
- Select the message to quote
Locate the message you want to reply to and tap and hold it for a few moments. The message will be highlighted, and a toolbar will appear at the top.
- Activate the reply function
In the toolbar that appeared at the top of the screen, tap the icon depicting an arrow pointing to the left to attach the message as a quote.
- Write and send your reply
Type your text in the composition box. You will see a preview of the quoted message above your text. Press send to dispatch the reply linked to the original context.
- Use the manual formatting method
Alternatively, you can create a quote style by typing the greater-than symbol (>) followed by a space before the text. This will format the message with a vertical gray bar.
- Manage multiple quotes or deletions
You can select multiple messages before pressing the arrow to quote them all. If you change your mind, tap the ‘x’ on the quote preview to remove it before sending the message.
Conclusions
Quotes have become an essential tool in WhatsApp communication, improving the clarity, effectiveness, and organization of conversations. By quoting messages, you provide clear context, avoid ambiguity, and facilitate understanding, especially in group chats or complex discussions.
The importance of context: Quotes create an explicit link between the response and the referenced message, eliminating any doubt about what is being commented on. This is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings and keeping the conversation fluid and productive.
Efficiency and organization: Quoting messages directly, instead of having to summarize or repeat them, makes communication more efficient and organized. This is particularly useful in group discussions, where quotes help maintain focus on specific topics.
Style and tone: Quotes can also be used to adapt the style and tone of communication to the context. In a formal setting, they can lend authority to the message, while in an informal setting, they can be used to create an ironic or playful effect.
Evolution and future: It is likely that we will see further developments in the quote function on WhatsApp in the future, with the introduction of new options and customizations. For example, we might be able to assign different colors to quotes, quote multimedia elements, or create more structured conversation “threads”.
Ultimately, mastering the use of quotes on WhatsApp allows you to communicate more clearly, concisely, and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
To quote a message on WhatsApp, tap and hold the message you want to quote. In the toolbar that appears at the top, tap the icon with the arrow pointing to the left. Write your message in the text box and send it.
To quote multiple messages simultaneously, tap and hold one message, then select the other messages you want to include in the quote. Tap the arrow icon to start writing your reply.
No, you cannot edit the text inside a quote on WhatsApp. The quote will faithfully report the original message. However, you can use the greater-than symbol followed by a space to quote your own custom text (> “text”).
If you quote a message that is subsequently deleted, the quote will remain visible in the conversation, but the content of the original message will no longer be available.
Yes, you can quote a message containing images or videos. The quote will show a preview of the media content.
No, currently it is not possible to use quotes in WhatsApp Stories (Status).
WhatsApp may truncate very long quotes. To view the entire quoted message, tap on the quote.
Yes, you can quote a message from an archived chat. The process is the same as for active chats.
The quote function is available in most recent versions of WhatsApp, but it might not be present in obsolete versions or on all devices.
No, it is not possible to disable the quote function on WhatsApp.
On WhatsApp Web, right-click on the message you want to quote and select “Reply” from the dropdown menu.
No, the quote function is only available in WhatsApp text chats, not during group calls.
When you forward a message containing a quote, the quote will be included in the forwarded message.
Yes, quotes are particularly useful in group chats to reply to specific messages and avoid confusion.
Yes, quotes are visible to all chat participants, just like any other message.
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