How to Format WhatsApp Messages: Bold, Italic, Lists and More

WhatsApp formatting cheat sheet

Format a message online

1. Open the WhatsApp Message Formatter.
2. Write the message in plain language first.
3. Select short phrases for bold, italic, or monospace treatment.
4. Convert steps or options into a list.
5. Preview the marker placement.
6. Copy the formatted text and paste it into WhatsApp.
7. Review the in-app preview before sending.

Make text bold or italic

Place asterisks directly around bold text: *Payment received*. Place underscores directly around italic text: _Friday at 3 PM_. Spaces immediately inside the markers can stop formatting. Use emphasis selectively so the most important phrase is easy to find.

Create bullet and numbered lists

Begin each bullet line with a hyphen and a space. Begin each numbered line with a number, period, and space. Lists work well for agendas, shopping items, instructions, and options. Keep each item grammatically parallel and avoid nesting that becomes hard to follow on a phone.

Use quotes and code formatting

Start a line with > and a space to display a quote. Use inline code for a short command, filename, reference number, or value where fixed-width text helps. Use a monospace block for multiple lines. Formatting is visual; it does not validate or execute code.

Common formatting problems

• A missing closing marker.
• A space between the marker and the first character.
• Smart punctuation replacing a plain marker.
• Copying rich text that introduces invisible characters.
• Combining many styles until the result becomes hard to read.
• Assuming every old app version renders newer list or quote formats identically.

Write messages people can scan

Lead with the purpose, then use short sections and one clear request. Formatting cannot rescue a vague message. For business communication, include the relevant date, time zone, owner, and next step in plain text so the message remains understandable even if styling is not rendered.

Frequently asked questions

Can I underline text in WhatsApp?

WhatsApp's native marker set does not provide ordinary underline formatting. Avoid copy-and-paste lookalike Unicode text when accessibility and search matter; use bold, italic, or a clear heading instead.

Can bold and italic be combined?

Supported clients can combine some markers, but nested punctuation is easy to break when copying or editing. Test the final message in the current app and prefer one emphasis style when clarity is more important than decoration.

Why does the copied message show the markers?

A marker may have a space inside it, an invisible copied character, or no matching closing marker. The receiving client may also be outdated. Re-type the marker as a plain character and inspect the preview before sending.