It’s easy to declare that text is the foundation of communication on any website. It’s everyone’s foremost instrument for delivering information, structuring user experience, and determining how effectively messages are conveyed. Every click, interaction, and decision users make on a site is influenced by text, whether they realize it or not.
The best way to present text on a website is to make it easy to scan, read, and digest. Nowadays, every reader tends to skim rather than read word-for-word, so breaking up large blocks of text, using headings, and emphasizing key points can be your formula for triumph. This is where text formatting comes into play.
We’ve prepared our article to walk you through the key text formatting techniques that make your content easy to read, well-structured, and visually clear. Let’s move to the details.
Format Text in WordPress
Formatting text properly makes your content more readable, engaging, and structured. Here are the key ways to format text in WordPress:
1. Headings and Subheadings
Using headings is the best way to organize your content and improve SEO. WordPress allows you to use six levels of headings, from <h1> to <h6>.
- H1: Typically used for the main title of your post or page. Each page should have only one H1 heading.
- H2: Used for major sections within your content.
- H3 to H6: Used for sub-sections or nested content.
To create headings, click the “+” (Add Block) button in the editor and select the “Heading” block. Type your heading text and choose the appropriate level (H1, H2, H3, etc.) from the toolbar.
2. Bold
Bold text helps make important words or ideas stand out. To use it, highlight the text, then click the “B” button or press Ctrl + B (Windows) or Cmd + B (Mac).
3. Italic Text
Use italic text for emphasis or to denote titles of works. Simply select the text and click the “I” icon, or use Ctrl + I (Windows) or Cmd + I (Mac).
4. Strikethrough
Strikethrough is a handy tool for showing edits, updates, or discounts. Click the text you want to strike through. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the toolbar to expand the formatting options and select “Strikethrough” from the dropdown menu.
5. Lists
Lists help break down information into smaller and easy-to-read sections. WordPress supports Bulleted List(•) and Numbered List (1. 2. 3.).
First, add a “List” block by clicking the “+” (Add Block) button. Now, from the toolbar, choose the type of list you want, type your first item, and press Enter to add a new one. If you need to create a nested list, use the indent and outdent buttons in the toolbar to adjust the hierarchy of your items.
6. Blockquotes
Blockquotes are used to highlight quotes or key text. They are visually distinct from regular paragraphs, often indented or styled differently.
To highlight quotes or important text, add a “Quote” block by clicking the “+” (Add Block) button. Type or paste your quoted text into the block. If you want to credit the source, use the citation field (from the toolbar) below the quote to add the author’s name, title, or a link.
7. Links
In WordPress, adding links to your text is simple. Start by highlighting the text you want to link, click the chain icon (🔗) in the toolbar, and enter the URL.
- Use descriptive anchor text (e.g., “WordPress Style Guide” instead of “click here”).
- Ensure links open in a new tab if they lead to external websites.
8. Text Alignment
WordPress allows you to align text to the left (default), center, or right. Select the text block and use the alignment options in the toolbar.
9. Horizontal Lines
Horizontal lines can separate sections of your content for better organization. To add a line, click the “+” (Add Block) button and select the “Separator” block. A horizontal line will appear. Use the toolbar to adjust its style (e.g., solid line, dots).
Conclusion
Text formatting might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of the most powerful tools you have to make your content stand out. Good formatting makes your content easy to read, highlights important points, and keeps visitors interested without making it hard to follow.
We’ve put this guide together because how you present text matters just as much as what you write. With the right use of headings, bold text, lists, and links, you can turn a block of plain text into something structured and easy to scan.
So, go ahead and experiment with these options. With practice, you’ll be able to turn your plain text into compelling content that captures attention and delivers your message effectively.
