How to Strikeout Text in Discord: A Masterclass
So, you want to add a little dramatic flair to your Discord messages, eh? Maybe you want to retract a statement ironically, imply something is outdated, or just add a touch of visual humor. The secret weapon in your arsenal? Strikethrough text. It’s a simple trick with significant impact. Let’s dive in.
The short, sweet, and definitive answer: To strikeout text in Discord, you simply need to surround the text you want to strike through with double tildes (~) on both sides. For example, ~~This text will be struck out~~
will appear as ~~This text will be struck out~~ in Discord. It’s that easy!
Diving Deeper: The Art of the Strikethrough
While the method is straightforward, the application is where things get interesting. Think of strikethrough as a subtle tool for communication. It can:
- Convey sarcasm: “I totally wanted to do chores. ~~Not really.~~”
- Indicate updates or corrections: “The meeting is scheduled for 3 PM. ~~2 PM~~”
- Add humor: “My cooking is ~~terrible~~ exquisite.”
- Emphasize a change of heart: “I was going to be mad, but… ~~nah~~”
The key is to use it sparingly and strategically. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your messages look cluttered.
Beyond the Basics: Mastering Discord Formatting
Strikethrough is just one arrow in your quiver of Discord formatting. Knowing how to use it in conjunction with other techniques like bolding, italics, and spoilers is what truly elevates your communication game.
Here’s a quick refresher on some other essential formatting elements:
- Bold: Surround text with asterisks (
**like this**
). - Italics:* Surround text with underscores (
_like this_
). - Bold Italics: Combine both: asterisks and underscores* (
***like this***
). Code:** Use backticks for inline code (
`like this“).`Code Block:** Use three backticks for multi-line code blocks (````like this``
).- Spoilers: Surround text with double pipes (
like this
Experiment with combining these elements to create truly dynamic and engaging messages. For instance, you could use bold to highlight a correction alongside a strikethrough: "The project deadline is October 26th. ~~October 19th~~."
Troubleshooting: Why Isn't My Strikethrough Working?
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the strikethrough just refuses to cooperate. Here are a few common culprits:
- Missing Tildes: This is the most frequent mistake. Make sure you have two tildes (~) on both the beginning and the end of the text you want to strike through.
- Extra Spaces: Ensure there are no spaces between the tildes and the text.
~~ Text ~~
will not work. It needs to be~~Text~~
. - Incorrect Keyboard Layout: Double-check that you're actually using the tilde character (~) and not some similar-looking symbol.
- Discord Bug: Though rare, sometimes a bug can temporarily interfere with formatting. Try restarting your Discord client or web browser.
- Escaped Characters: If you’re trying to show the strikethrough formatting instead of applying it, you'll need to "escape" the tildes using a backslash. For example,
~~This will show the strikethrough symbols~~
.
If you've checked all these and the strikethrough still isn't working, consider reaching out to the Discord support team for further assistance.
FAQs: Your Strikethrough Questions Answered
Let's tackle some of the most common questions about striking out text in Discord.
1. Can I strikeout text on mobile Discord?
Absolutely! The strikethrough formatting works exactly the same way on the Discord mobile app (both iOS and Android) as it does on the desktop client or web browser. Just use the double tilde (~~) around your text.
2. Does strikethrough work in Discord bots?
Yes, most Discord bots that support text formatting will recognize the strikethrough syntax. However, it's best to test it with the specific bot you're using, as some bots might have their own custom formatting rules.
3. Can I combine strikethrough with other formatting options?
Yes, you can! You can combine strikethrough with bolding, italics, and even spoilers. Experiment to see what works best for your message. For example: **~~This is bold and struck out!~~**
4. Is there a limit to how much text I can strikeout?
There's no specific character limit for strikethrough text. You can strikeout entire paragraphs if you wish, although it's generally recommended to use it sparingly for emphasis.
5. How do I strikeout text in a Discord nickname?
Unfortunately, Discord does not support text formatting, including strikethrough, in nicknames or usernames.
6. Can I use strikethrough in Discord server names or channel names?
Similar to nicknames, Discord server names and channel names do not support text formatting.
7. Can I undo a strikethrough?
Yes, simply edit your message and remove the double tildes (~~) surrounding the text.
8. Does strikethrough work in Discord embeds?
Yes, strikethrough works in Discord embeds, which are rich messages often used by bots. The formatting rules are the same: use double tildes. However, remember that how the embed looks also depends on how the bot is coded.
9. Are there any alternatives to strikethrough in Discord?
While strikethrough is a common way to indicate something is outdated or incorrect, you can also use other methods, such as:
- Editing the message: If you're correcting a mistake, simply edit the original message to reflect the correct information.
- Using spoilers: If you want to hide something but still make it accessible, you can use spoiler tags.
- Adding a clarification: You can simply add a new message explaining the correction or update.
10. Can I see who edited a message with strikethrough?
Discord shows a small "Edited" indicator next to messages that have been modified. Clicking on this indicator will reveal the edit history, but it won't specifically highlight the strikethrough changes.
11. Does strikethrough affect the searchability of my messages?
No, strikethrough formatting does not affect the searchability of your messages. The text within the strikethrough will still be indexed and searchable.
12. Is it considered rude or unprofessional to use strikethrough in Discord?
The appropriateness of using strikethrough depends on the context and the audience. In casual Discord servers with friends, it's perfectly acceptable and often used for humor or sarcasm. However, in professional or more formal settings, it's best to use it sparingly and consider the impact it might have. Overuse can be seen as unprofessional.
Final Thoughts: Strikethrough and Beyond
Mastering Discord formatting, including the simple yet powerful strikethrough, is a key skill for effective communication on the platform. Use it wisely, experiment creatively, and remember that the best formatting is always the formatting that enhances, not detracts from, your message. Now, go forth and strike through the competition (figuratively, of course!).
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