# Text emphasis

{!emphasis.md!}

## Making text bold

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-markdown}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Surround your text with double asterisks (`**`) to make it bold.

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>B</kbd> to insert bold formatting.

{tab|via-compose-box-buttons}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Select the text you want to format.

1. Click the **Bold** (<i class="fa fa-bold"></i>) icon at the
   bottom of the compose box.

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>B</kbd> to insert bold formatting.

{end_tabs}

## Making text italic

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-markdown}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Surround your text with single asterisks (`*`) to make it italic.

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>I</kbd> to insert italic formatting.

{tab|via-compose-box-buttons}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Select the text you want to format.

1. Click the **Italic** (<i class="fa fa-italic"></i>) icon at the
   bottom of the compose box.

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>I</kbd> to insert italic formatting.

{end_tabs}

## Applying strikethrough formatting

{start_tabs}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Surround your text with two tildes (`~~`) to apply strikethrough formatting.

{end_tabs}

## Related articles

* [Message formatting](/help/format-your-message-using-markdown)
* [Preview messages before sending](/help/preview-your-message-before-sending)
* [Resize the compose box](/help/resize-the-compose-box)