# Text emphasis

{!emphasis-intro.md!}

## Making text bold

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-compose-box-buttons}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Select the text you want to format.

1. Click the **Bold** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-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.

{tab|via-markdown}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. To make text bold, use double asterisks (`**`) around the text: `**text**`.

!!! 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-compose-box-buttons}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Select the text you want to format.

1. Click the **Italic** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-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.

{tab|via-markdown}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. To make text italic, use single asterisks (`*`) around the text: `*text*`.

!!! keyboard_tip ""

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

{end_tabs}

## Applying strikethrough formatting

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-compose-box-buttons}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Select the text you want to format.

1. Click the **Strikethrough**
   (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-strikethrough"></i>) icon at the
   bottom of the compose box.

{tab|via-markdown}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. To apply strikethrough formatting, use two tildes (`~~`) around the text:
   `~~text~~`.

{end_tabs}

## Examples

{!emphasis-examples.md!}

## 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)