Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make bold text in Discord?
Discord's Markdown formatting (using asterisks like **bold**) works in chat messages but does not work in usernames, bios, status messages, server descriptions, or most third-party Discord tools. UniStyle solves this by generating bold text as actual Unicode characters - the same letters in a different Unicode range that displays as bold style everywhere. Type your text into UniStyle at unistyle.io, copy the bold version, and paste it into any Discord field. Because the output is real Unicode (not Markdown), it survives copy-paste anywhere Discord accepts text.
Does UniStyle work in Notion, Twitter, Slack, and LinkedIn?
Yes. UniStyle output works in any text field that renders Unicode characters. Confirmed working in: Discord (bios, usernames, channels, status), Notion (pages, headings, inline text), X / Twitter (posts, replies, display names, bios), Slack (messages, channel descriptions), LinkedIn (headlines, about section, posts), Instagram (captions, bios), YouTube (comments, descriptions), Reddit, GitHub READMEs, and browser bookmarks. Because the output is plain Unicode rather than HTML or Markdown formatting, the formatting travels with the text wherever you paste it.
Is UniStyle free? Does it have ads or require an account?
UniStyle is free to use with no signup, no account, no email collection, and no tracking. The web app at unistyle.io has no ads. The tool runs entirely in the browser - text is converted on your device and nothing is sent to a server. The source code is open at github.com/buildwithbaker/unistyle. Donations are optional via Ko-fi at ko-fi.com/abaker421; the tool stays free regardless.
What is the difference between UniStyle and Discord's built-in Markdown bold?
Markdown formatting (like **bold** or *italic*) is interpreted by the platform showing the text - it works only where the platform supports it. Discord supports Markdown in chat messages but not in usernames, status, bios, or external integrations. Notion supports its own Markdown variant but strips it in some fields. Twitter does not support Markdown at all. UniStyle generates Unicode Mathematical Alphanumeric Symbols and related blocks - real characters like 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑐, 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 - that display the same style on any platform that renders Unicode (which is essentially every modern text field).
How many styles does UniStyle support?
UniStyle supports 22 Unicode styles: bold, italic, bold italic, bold sans-serif, italic sans-serif, bold italic sans-serif, underline, strikethrough, monospace, script (cursive), fraktur (gothic), double-struck (blackboard), fullwidth (vaporwave), small caps, bubble (circled letters), upside down, reverse, alternating case, zalgo (combining marks), subscript, superscript, and regional indicator (country flag codes). Plus a style combiner that stacks modifiers (strikethrough, underline, overline, reverse) on any base style. Most styles work for the basic A-Z range; some Unicode blocks have gaps. Numbers and punctuation render where the relevant Unicode range includes them.
Is my text saved or sent anywhere?
No. UniStyle runs entirely client-side in your browser. Text typed into the tool is converted locally on your device using JavaScript. Nothing is sent to a server, saved to a database, or logged. The page does not have any analytics that capture your text input. The optional Progressive Web App version stores recent inputs in local browser storage (on your device only) so the History button can let you revisit recent text - clear at any time via the Clear button. See the privacy policy for full details.
My installed UniStyle still shows the old icon. How do I refresh it?
When the UniStyle icon is updated, the new version reaches most installed users within a day - the next time the browser checks for service worker updates, the cache rolls over and the new icon is fetched. On Android the launcher icon (the icon on your home screen) is a special case: Android pins it at install time, so even after the cache updates the home-screen tile may still show the old version. The fix is to uninstall the installed PWA and reinstall from unistyle.io using the browser's Add to Home Screen menu. Desktop and iOS installs pick up new icons automatically without reinstall.
What's the difference between the mobile web app and the Chrome extension?
The web app at unistyle.io is full-featured on every device - all 22 styles, character limit guides, history, favorites, special character inserts, and the format sentences cleanup tool work identically on mobile and desktop. You can also install the web app as a PWA on Android, iOS, or desktop for offline use and a home-screen launcher. The Chrome extension is desktop-only (Chrome doesn't support extensions on mobile) and adds three things the web app can't: keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+Shift+Y opens the popup, Ctrl+Shift+U reapplies your last style to selected text), a right-click Format with UniStyle menu on any text field, and an inline formatting panel that replaces selected text in place - no tab switching or copy-pasting. If you're on a phone, the web app is the right tool; on a desktop browser, the extension is faster for repeated use.