---
title: "Format messages"
space: "Raven"
url: "https://docs.frappe.io/raven/messages/format-messages"
updated: "2026-10-19"
---

You can make text bold or italic, add links, lists, quotes and code, and hide text until someone clicks it. Use the formatting bar, a keyboard shortcut, or type the Markdown shortcut as you write.

## Use the formatting bar

1. Click the **Formatting** button (**T**) under the message box. The formatting bar shows above your text.
2. Select some text.
3. Click a style.

<picture>
  <source srcset="/files/raven-dark-messages-composer.webp" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)">
  <img src="/files/raven-light-messages-composer.webp" alt="The formatting bar above the message box">
</picture>

Click **T** again to hide the bar.

## Keyboard shortcuts

Select some text, then press the shortcut.

| Style | Windows and Linux | Mac |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Bold | **Ctrl + B** | **⌘ + B** |
| Italic | **Ctrl + I** | **⌘ + I** |
| Underline | **Ctrl + U** | **⌘ + U** |
| Strikethrough | **Ctrl + Shift + S** | **⌘ + Shift + S** |
| Highlight | **Ctrl + Shift + H** | **⌘ + Shift + H** |
| Inline code | **Ctrl + E** | **⌘ + E** |
| Code block | **Ctrl + Alt + C** | **⌘ + Option + C** |
| Bullet list | **Ctrl + Shift + 8** | **⌘ + Shift + 8** |
| Numbered list | **Ctrl + Shift + 7** | **⌘ + Shift + 7** |
| Quote | **Ctrl + Shift + B** | **⌘ + Shift + B** |
| Link | **Ctrl + Shift + U** | **⌘ + Shift + U** |

## Markdown shortcuts

Type these as you write. The text changes to the style as soon as you close the pair or type the space.

| Type | You get |
| :--- | :--- |
| `**text**` | Bold |
| `*text*` | Italic |
| `~~text~~` | Strikethrough |
| `==text==` | Highlight |
| `` `text` `` | Inline code |
| `||text||` | Spoiler |
| `- ` at the start of a line | Bullet list |
| `1. ` at the start of a line | Numbered list |
| `> ` at the start of a line | Quote |
| ```` ``` ```` on its own line | Code block |

## Add a link

1. Select the text you want to link.
2. Press **Ctrl + Shift + U**, or **⌘ + Shift + U** on a Mac. You can also click the link button in the formatting bar.
3. Paste the link.
4. Click the check mark.

<picture>
  <source srcset="/files/raven-dark-messages-link.webp" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)">
  <img src="/files/raven-light-messages-link.webp" alt="Adding a link to selected text" width="736">
</picture>

Links you type or paste on their own become links when you send the message.

## Hide text as a spoiler

Put text between double bars, `||like this||`, or select it and click **Spoiler** in the formatting bar. The text shows as a hidden block until someone clicks it.

## Code blocks

Type ```` ``` ```` on its own line and press **Enter** to start a code block. Add a language name after the backticks, such as ```` ```python ````, if you like. **Enter** adds a new line inside the block. Press **Ctrl + Enter**, or **⌘ + Enter** on a Mac, to send.

## On the mobile app

The formatting bar is not shown on the mobile app. Markdown shortcuts work as you type.