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Master WhatsApp Text Formatting: Bold, Italics, Strikethrough, Lists & More (Complete Guide)
Lovelyn February 22, 2026

Master WhatsApp Text Formatting: Bold, Italics, Strikethrough, Lists & More (Complete Guide)

Master WhatsApp Text Formatting with bold, italics, strikethrough, monospace, block quotes, and lists. Learn step-by-step shortcuts and improve business communication with WhatsApp Automation using Whatsboost.

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Master WhatsApp Text Formatting: Bold, Italics, Strikethrough, and More

Human attention spans are shrinking across every medium — not just social media. Long business messages on WhatsApp often go unread, ignored, or skimmed.

But here’s the truth: lengthy WhatsApp messages can still make an impact — if you know how to format them correctly.

When you master WhatsApp text formatting, you can:

  • Emphasize key information

  • Improve readability

  • Highlight deadlines

  • Show pricing changes clearly

  • Structure long updates professionally

  • Make business communication stand out

WhatsApp doesn’t offer visible formatting buttons like a word processor. However, you can use simple shortcuts to bold, italicize, strike through text, create lists, add block quotes, and even format inline code.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to use bold, italics, strikethrough, and more — plus how businesses can combine formatting with WhatsApp Automation tools like https://whatsboost.in/ to scale communication effectively.

Let’s get started.


Why WhatsApp Text Formatting Matters for Business

Whether you're sending:

  • Client proposals

  • Maintenance updates

  • Payment reminders

  • Sales offers

  • Internal team instructions

  • B2B negotiations

Formatting improves clarity and prevents miscommunication.

Instead of sending a dense block of text, you can structure messages to:

  • Draw attention to deadlines

  • Highlight pricing changes

  • Emphasize action steps

  • Separate key sections

For teams managing multiple WhatsApp Groups & Chats, formatting becomes even more critical. Structured communication reduces confusion — especially when handling customer queries at scale.

Now let’s explore how to master WhatsApp text formatting step by step.




How to Bold Text on WhatsApp

Bold formatting is ideal for:

  • Deadlines

  • Important updates

  • Pricing highlights

  • Meeting times

  • Urgent reminders

How to Make Text Bold

  1. Type your message in the chat.

  2. Add an asterisk (*) before and after the text you want to bold.

Example:

“Our team will be conducting maintenance on the server this Friday from 8 PM to 10 PM. Please ensure that all files are backed up.”

Once sent, the selected text will appear bold.

Important rule:
There must be no spaces between the asterisk and the text.

Correct:
Friday from 8 PM to 10 PM

Incorrect:

  • Friday from 8 PM to 10 PM *

Bold text helps ensure critical information is not missed in long WhatsApp business conversations.


How to Italicize Text on WhatsApp

Italics create subtle emphasis. They are ideal for:

  • Clarifications

  • Gentle reminders

  • Quotes

  • Internal notes

  • Soft disclaimers

How to Italicize Text

  1. Type your message.

  2. Add an underscore (_) before and after the text.

Example:

“We’ll be updating our pricing structure next month. Your current rates will remain the same until then.”

Italics are particularly effective when you want to emphasize reassurance without sounding aggressive.


How to Strikethrough Text on WhatsApp

Strikethrough formatting is a powerful psychological trigger in sales and marketing.

It is commonly used for:

  • Price revisions

  • Updated plans

  • Offer comparisons

  • Corrections

  • Plan changes

How to Apply Strikethrough

  1. Type your message.

  2. Add a tilde (~) before and after the text.

Example:

“Original Plan: ~₹15,000~
Revised Offer: ₹9,999”

This makes the discount visually impactful.

Sales teams using automated messaging workflows via https://whatsboost.in/ often combine strikethrough formatting with promotional broadcasts to increase conversion rates.


How to Combine Formatting Styles

You can combine multiple formatting styles in WhatsApp.

Example:

~Limited Time Offer~

This applies bold, italics, and strikethrough simultaneously.

Combination formatting works well for:

  • Flash sales

  • Urgent alerts

  • Important corrections

  • Campaign countdowns

However, use this carefully. Over-formatting reduces impact.


How to Create Bulleted Lists on WhatsApp

WhatsApp doesn’t offer a built-in bullet tool like Word or Google Docs — but you can create manual lists.

Bulleted lists are perfect for:

  • Project tasks

  • Agenda points

  • Deliverables

  • Feature lists

  • Onboarding instructions

Steps to Create a Bulleted List

  1. Open WhatsApp chat.

  2. Type a dash (-) or asterisk (*) followed by a space.

  3. Write your text.

  4. Press Enter and repeat.

Example:

  • Confirm meeting time

  • Share presentation

  • Send contract draft

  • Schedule follow-up

This improves readability significantly in business conversations.


How to Create Numbered Lists on WhatsApp

Numbered lists are ideal for:

  • Step-by-step instructions

  • Process explanations

  • SOP guidelines

  • Order confirmations

Steps to Create Numbered Lists

  1. Type a number followed by a period.

  2. Add a space.

  3. Write the item.

  4. Press Enter and continue.

Example:

  1. Submit documents

  2. Complete verification

  3. Sign agreement

  4. Receive confirmation

For businesses automating onboarding workflows, combining numbered lists with WhatsApp Automation ensures clarity at scale.


Using Monospace in WhatsApp

Monospace formatting makes text appear in a fixed-width font. It is ideal for:

  • Code snippets

  • System commands

  • API keys

  • Order IDs

  • Tracking numbers

How to Use Monospace

Add three backticks (```) before and after your text.

Example:

ORDER ID: 45829XK

This makes the content visually distinct.

If you're sharing API keys while setting up automation inside Whatsboost, monospace ensures clarity and avoids formatting errors.


How to Use Inline Code Formatting

Inline code is useful for short technical references.

Steps

  1. Type your message.

  2. Add a single backtick (`) before and after text.

Example:

Use @c.us format while mapping chat IDs.

This is extremely useful when explaining automation setups or CRM integrations.


How to Create Block Quotes in WhatsApp

Block quotes help highlight a section of text.

They are perfect for:

  • Policy references

  • Official statements

  • Client responses

  • Escalation messages

Steps

  1. Start your line with a greater-than sign (>).

  2. Add a space.

  3. Type your text.

Example:

Please confirm the signed agreement before 5 PM.

Block quotes are especially helpful in WhatsApp Groups & Chats where multiple participants are responding simultaneously.


Common Problems with WhatsApp Text Formatting

Even though formatting is simple, issues can occur.

1. Spaces

Incorrect spacing breaks formatting.

Correct:
Important

Incorrect:

  • Important *

2. Version Compatibility

Ensure WhatsApp is updated.

3. Platform Differences

Formatting may appear slightly different on:

  • iOS

  • Android

  • WhatsApp Web

  • Desktop

4. Overuse

Too much formatting makes messages look spammy.

Keep formatting strategic and purposeful.


Why Master WhatsApp Text Formatting for B2B Communication

In B2B environments:

  • Deals involve multiple stakeholders

  • Messages are long and detailed

  • Clarity is critical

  • Deadlines matter

  • Documentation must be precise

Proper formatting ensures:

  • Important information is not missed

  • Conversations remain structured

  • Customers feel professionalism

  • Communication is persuasive

Businesses using https://whatsboost.in/ to manage high-volume communication benefit even more when formatted messages are combined with automation workflows.

Imagine:

  • Payment reminders with bold due dates

  • Discount offers with strikethrough pricing

  • Onboarding instructions with numbered steps

  • Technical updates with monospace commands

Formatting + automation = clarity at scale.




How Whatsboost Enhances Formatted Messaging

Formatting alone is helpful. But at scale, manual formatting becomes repetitive.

With Whatsboost, you can:

  • Send automated messages with formatted text

  • Manage multiple WhatsApp numbers

  • Create rules-based workflows

  • Automate replies

  • Monitor WhatsApp Groups & Chats

  • Integrate CRM systems

Instead of manually typing formatted reminders every time, you can build structured templates and automate them.

Explore advanced features at https://whatsboost.in/.


Best Practices for WhatsApp Text Formatting in Business

  1. Use bold for deadlines only

  2. Use italics for soft emphasis

  3. Use strikethrough for pricing revisions

  4. Use lists for clarity

  5. Avoid excessive formatting

  6. Keep paragraphs short

  7. Use white space effectively

  8. Combine formatting with automation

Well-formatted messages increase engagement and reduce back-and-forth confusion.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I underline text in WhatsApp?

WhatsApp does not natively support underlining. You may use Unicode generators, but results vary across devices.

How do I remove formatting?

Delete the special characters (*, _, ~, `).

Does formatting work on WhatsApp Web and Desktop?

Yes. The same shortcuts apply across platforms.

Can I combine formatting styles?

Yes. Example: ~text~

Why isn’t my formatting working?

Check for:

  • Extra spaces

  • Incorrect symbols

  • Outdated app version


FAQs About Whatsboost Automation

What is Whatsboost?

Whatsboost is a WhatsApp Automation platform that helps businesses manage WhatsApp Groups & Chats at scale.

Can I automate formatted messages?

Yes. You can create automated replies with bold, italics, lists, and more.

Does Whatsboost require WhatsApp Business API?

No. You can use standard WhatsApp numbers.

Can I manage multiple numbers?

Yes. Whatsboost supports multi-number management.

Is it suitable for B2B teams?

Absolutely. It is ideal for sales, marketing, support, and operations teams handling large volumes of WhatsApp conversations.


Final Thoughts: Master WhatsApp Text Formatting Today

If you want your business messages to stand out, you must master WhatsApp text formatting.

Bold highlights urgency.
Italics add subtle emphasis.
Strikethrough drives sales psychology.
Lists improve clarity.
Monospace adds technical precision.
Block quotes emphasize authority.

When combined with WhatsApp Automation tools like Whatsboost, formatted communication becomes scalable, professional, and highly effective.

Start formatting smarter — and transform how your business communicates on WhatsApp.