# How to format messages

WhatsApp supports text formatting in template body components. Use the following syntax in your template text:

| Format | Syntax | Example |
|  --- | --- | --- |
| Italic | `_text_` | `_Hello_` → *Hello* |
| Bold | `*text*` | `*Hello*` → **Hello** |
| Strikethrough | `~text~` | `~Hello~` → Hello |
| Monospace | ````text```` | ````Hello```` → `Hello` |
| Bulleted list | `- text` or `* text` | `- Item one` |
| Quote | `> text` | `> Quoted text` |
| Inline code | ``text`` | ``code`` |


Formatting applies to the **body** component of [utility templates](/products/whatsapp/enterprise-documentation/developer-documentation/integration-guide/utility-templates) only. It is not applicable to authentication templates, which use preset text and do not support a customizable body.