In the era of digital communication, WhatsApp has established itself as an indispensable tool not only for personal conversations but also in the professional sphere. Its computer version, WhatsApp Web, enhances this function, allowing you to manage chats with the convenience of a physical keyboard. However, to communicate truly effectively, simply writing is not enough: you need to know how to give the text the right shape. Text formatting, once the preserve of word processing software, is now a key feature in instant messaging as well. Knowing how to use bold, italics, strikethrough, and monospace can transform a flat message into clear, organized, and high-impact communication.

This complete guide is designed for everyone, from the professional wishing to optimize work communications to the student wanting to better organize their notes. We will explore, step by step, how to master these simple yet powerful formatting options directly from WhatsApp Web. You will discover not only the “how” but also the “why,” understanding how strategic use of formatting can improve the readability and effectiveness of your messages, both in an Italian and European context, where communicative clarity is a fundamental value.

Why Formatting Text is Important

In a world that communicates increasingly through written text, the absence of non-verbal language can generate ambiguity. Formatting becomes, therefore, a sort of digital “body language.” Using bold to highlight a deadline or a keyword, italics to emphasize a concept or cite a foreign term, or strikethrough to indicate a correction, helps convey the correct tone and intention. This is particularly true in the Mediterranean and Italian context, where communication is often rich in nuance and expressiveness. Correct formatting prevents misunderstandings and makes the dialogue more fluid and immediate, almost like a face-to-face conversation.

From a productivity standpoint, especially in a work environment, well-formatted text is easier and faster to visually “scan.” It allows recipients to grasp crucial information at a glance, such as dates, required actions, or key points of a discussion. This translates into time savings and greater efficiency, crucial elements in any professional dynamic. Instead of getting lost in a wall of undifferentiated text, the reader is guided through the most important concepts, improving comprehension and reducing the risk of errors. For those using the platform from a PC, knowing these options is a fundamental step to moving from basic to advanced usage, as explained in the complete guide to fully leveraging WhatsApp Web.

Practical Guide to Formatting on WhatsApp Web

Formatting text on WhatsApp Web is an intuitive operation based on the use of certain special characters before and after the portion of text you wish to modify. This functionality is identical on both the Web version and smartphone applications, ensuring consistency across devices. There is no need to activate any settings: the function is integrated and always available. Let’s look in detail at how to apply the four main formatting styles.

How to Write in Bold

Bold is the ideal tool to highlight words or phrases that require immediate attention. It is perfect for emphasizing deadlines, project names, important figures, or actions to be taken. To apply it, simply insert an asterisk (*) at the beginning and end of the desired text. For example, to write “Important meeting” in bold, you would type `*Important meeting*`. Once the message is sent, the asterisks will disappear and the text will appear in bold, immediately catching the reader’s eye and communicating urgency or relevance.

How to Write in Italics

Italics are more discreet than bold and lend themselves to multiple uses that enrich the text with nuance. They can be used to emphasize a word, to cite book or movie titles, to insert terms in a foreign language, or to express a thought or subtle irony. To write in italics, you must enclose the word or phrase between two underscores (_). For example, typing `_a fundamental detail_`, the text will be displayed in italics. This style adds a touch of elegance and precision to communication, combining typographic tradition with the innovation of instant messaging.

How to Write Strikethrough

Strikethrough text is a useful function to indicate a correction, show an idea that has been discarded, or add a humorous comment. It communicates transparently that information is no longer valid, without deleting it entirely. To apply strikethrough, use the tilde symbol (~) before and after the text. For example, typing `~task cancelled~`, the message will show the phrase with a line running through it. It is an effective and visually clear way to update recipients on a change of plans or to rectify a previous error informally.

How to Write in Monospace

The monospace style is a font where every letter occupies the same amount of horizontal space, recalling the aesthetic of old typewriters or code editors for programmers. It is particularly useful for sharing portions of code, links, or any string of text that needs to be read and copied without ambiguity. To use monospace, you must insert three backticks (“`) before and after the portion of text. [1] For example, ` “`code-example-123“` ` will appear with the monospace font. Although it is a niche style, its ability to clearly distinguish a part of the text makes it a valuable tool for clarity in technical contexts and beyond.

Beyond Special Characters: Keyboard Shortcuts

For those who use WhatsApp Web daily, efficiency is everything. In addition to using symbols, there are keyboard shortcuts that can further speed up the formatting process, making the user experience even smoother. [24] Although key combinations may vary slightly depending on the operating system (Windows or macOS), the basic principle is similar and allows you to apply styles without taking your hands off the keyboard. This approach is particularly advantageous when writing long and structured messages, where using the mouse to select text and choose the option from the menu could slow down the workflow.

For example, on Windows, after selecting the text, you can use combinations like Ctrl + B for bold and Ctrl + I for italics. These shortcuts are a legacy of the most common text editors and are now a de facto standard. Mastering them means integrating formatting into your writing style naturally and almost unconsciously. Comparing the manual approach with that of shortcuts, the difference in terms of productivity becomes evident, especially for those managing a high volume of professional communications. Choosing between WhatsApp Web and the Desktop application can influence the experience, but knowledge of these tricks remains a universal advantage.

Conclusions

Mastering text formatting on WhatsApp Web is not a simple exercise in style, but a fundamental communicative skill in the digital age. [12] The conscious use of bold, italics, strikethrough, and monospace allows us to overcome the limits of purely textual communication, adding emphasis, clarity, and tone to our messages. [4, 5, 6] In a cultural context like the Italian one, attentive to nuances and expressiveness, these functions become even more precious for conveying the right message in the right way. Whether coordinating a work team, sharing important information, or simply making a chat more readable and organized, these simple techniques elevate the quality of our digital interactions. Integrating these habits into your daily use of WhatsApp Web is a small step towards more effective and professional communication. [17] To ensure that your conversations are always protected, it is also useful to know the practices for keeping WhatsApp Web secure.

Frequently Asked Questions