Underlining words in chat can be useful to add emphasis or highlight key points. There are a few different ways to underline words depending on the chat platform you are using.
Underlining Words in Common Chat Apps
Here are some of the most common ways to underline words across popular chat apps and platforms:
On WhatsApp, you can underline words by enclosing them in underscore symbols like this:
_underlined words_
Facebook Messenger
To underline words on Facebook Messenger, use asterisks before and after the words like this:
*underlined words*
Skype
Skype uses asterisks in a similar way to Facebook Messenger. Just put asterisks around the words you want to underline:
*underlined words*
Slack
Slack has a handy keyboard shortcut to underline words. On desktop, highlight the words and hit Ctrl+U (Command+U on Mac). You can also surround words with underscores:
_underlined words_
Microsoft Teams
Teams uses asterisks to underline words, the same as Messenger and Skype:
*underlined words*
Discord
On Discord, underscores are used for underlining:
_underlined words_
Snapchat
Snapchat doesn’t have a native way to underline words. The best option is to use spaces before and after words to emulate underlining like this:
underlined words
SMS/iMessage
SMS and iMessage also lack an underline feature. Like Snapchat, insert spaces before and after words:
underlined words
Underlining Words on Social Media
In addition to chat apps, you may want to underline words on social media platforms. Here are some common ways to do that:
Twitter doesn’t have a straightforward underline option. Your best bet is to place HTML tags around words like this:
<u>underlined words</u>
Facebook Post
When writing a post on Facebook, you can underline words by highlighting them and clicking the “U” icon in the formatting toolbar.
Instagram Caption
Instagram doesn’t support underlining in photo captions. Use dashes, spaces, or asterisks to emulate underlines like this:
underlined words
YouTube Comment
YouTube also lacks native underlining. Use spaced out words like this:
underlined words
Underlining Words on Other Platforms
Here are some ways to underline words on a few other common platforms and apps:
Reddit uses the following Markdown syntax to underline words:
__underlined words__
TikTok Comment
Since TikTok doesn’t support underlines, use spaced out words:
underlined words
Zoom Chat
Zoom chat allows underlining with asterisks, like Messenger and Skype:
*underlined words*
Google Hangouts
On Hangouts, surround words with underscores to underline them:
_underlined words_
Google Docs
In Google Docs on the web, highlight text and click the “U” button or use Ctrl+U. On mobile, tap the text and select “underline” from the toolbar.
Microsoft Word
To underline in Word, highlight the text and press Ctrl+U on Windows or ⌘+U on Mac. On mobile, tap the text and choose “underline” from the menu.
Tips for Effective Underlining
Here are some tips to use underlining effectively in chats and messages:
- Use sparingly – Overusing underlines can make text look cluttered.
- Keep it short – Avoid underlining long blocks of text.
- Use to emphasize – Underline the most important words and phrases you want to stand out.
- Be consistent – Stick to one underline style throughout your message.
- Check compatibility – Make sure the recipient’s platform supports underlining to avoid confusing spaced out words.
Why Underline Words in Chat?
Underlining has several advantages for chatting and messaging:
- Adds emphasis – Underlining calls attention to important words or phrases.
- Improves clarity – Key points stand out so messages are easier to scan.
- Highlights urgency – Underlined words convey importance and urgency.
- Easy to spot – The eye naturally goes to underlined parts of a message.
Overall, underlining is a great way to emphasize key parts of a message, point out important information, and improve clarity in busy chats. Just use it selectively and keep compatibility in mind.
Conclusion
Underlining words in chat takes just a moment but can greatly improve the clarity and effectiveness of your messages. Each platform has slightly different syntax, but the most common approach is to surround words with underscores, asterisks, or spaces.
Use underlining sparingly to call attention to your main points. Keep compatibility in mind, as some platforms still lack native underlining. With the right technique, underlines can take your chats to the next level by highlighting crucial information.
So next time you need to emphasize a word or phrase, try underlining it with the appropriate syntax for your platform. Just don’t overdo it, and your important messages will stand out while maintaining readability.