---
title: "Formatting chat messages"
description: "Format text in your Talkspirit chat messages with a Markdown-style syntax: bold, italic, strikethrough, quotes, lists, code and links."
category: communication
section: chat-essentials
type: Reference
lastUpdated: 2026-08-26
locale: en
canonical: https://support.talkspirit.com/en/communication/formatting-messages
---

# Formatting chat messages


You can format the text of your chat messages with a Markdown-style syntax: bold, italic, strikethrough, quotes, lists, code and links. Type the syntax directly in the message field; the formatting is applied when the message is sent. Every member can format messages, and the same syntax works in direct conversations and rooms.

![A sent chat message in a self-conversation rendering bold, italic and strikethrough text, an indented quote block, a two-item bullet list and a clickable "Roadmap" link](/images/communication/formatting-messages/01-formatted-message.png)

## Supported syntax

| Format | Syntax | Result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bold | `**text**` | **text** |
| Italic | `*text*` | *text* |
| Bold italic | `***text***` | ***text*** |
| Strikethrough | `~~text~~` | ~~text~~ |
| Quote | `> text` at the start of a line | Blockquote |
| Numbered list | `1. item` | Numbered list |
| Bullet list | `- item` | Bullet list |
| Inline code | `` `code` `` | Monospaced `code` |
| Code block | ` ``` ` on the lines before and after | Multi-line code block |
| Link | `[label](url)` | Clickable link |

Web addresses become clickable links even without the link syntax: paste a URL and it is converted automatically when the message is sent.

Heading syntax (`#` at the start of a line) is not supported in chat messages: the character displays as typed.

## Write a message on several lines

Quotes and list items each need their own line. Press `Shift+Enter` to add a line break without sending the message; `Enter` sends it.

For example, type this in the message field:

```
> I expect you tomorrow at 9am.
Here is the agenda:
1. Quarterly review
2. Next steps
```

The quote renders as an indented block and the numbered items render as a list.

> **Tip:** To preview a formatted message before sending it to colleagues, draft it in your personal conversation: see [Creating a chat conversation with yourself](/en/communication/create-a-chat-conversation-with-yourself).

## Next steps

- [Using Chat](/en/communication/chatting-with-users)
- [Reacting to a chat message](/en/communication/react-to-a-chat-message)
- [Marking a chat message as unread](/en/communication/mark-a-chat-message-as-unread)