HTML Formatting: definition, operation and examples

HTML formatting refers to the process of structuring and formatting the content of web pages, such as text and images, through the use of HTML tags. Using these tags correctly helps present content in a clear, concise and engaging manner.

HTML Formatting: definition

The HTML language provides basic tools for structuring the page elements. These different elements can be organized using HTML tags, this is what we call HTML formatting. Thus, it is possible to define the way in which texts, images and others are displayed in an HTML document. For example, tags allow you to define titles, create paragraphs and present bulleted lists.

What is HTML formatting used for?

HTML formatting allows you to optimize both the structure and visual appearance of the different elements of a web page. Correct formatting not only helps improve the readability of textsbut also to facilitate user navigation on the website. At the same time, HTML formatting is used for SEO, since a clear and well structured is easier to understand for crawlers search engines (programs that analyze the content of web pages).

HTML Formatting: what tags are needed?

For HTML formatting, we distinguish between physical tags and logical tags (called physical tags And logical tags in English) :

• THE physical tags determine the exact appearance of a page element. They directly define how text and other elements are represented visually. The tag for bold text and for italicized text are examples. Physical HTML tags, however, do not address semantic context.
• THE logical tags define the meaning of an element and thus contribute to the semantic structure of a website. They allow search engines, browsers and assistive technologies to better understand content. For example, the HTML tag is used for emphasis within a text and often results in the corresponding passage being italicized.

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HTML Formatting: the most important tags

HTML provides a wide range of tags to format the content of web pages. The possibilities range from structuring entire layouts to adapting individual elements. Our guide to HTML tags provides an overview of the main commands. The following overview focuses specifically on tags for HTML formatting of texts or text passages and their respective functions.

HTML tag	Description
	This physical tag causes a word, phrase, or passage of text to be bolded.
	This logical HTML tag allows you to highlight sections, both visually and for the browser.
	This physical tag allows you to display words, sentences or passages in italics.
	This logical marker serves to highlight the importance of certain passages; Often, marked content is displayed in italics.
	The passage is underlined.
à	These tags are used to create titles. The rule is as follows: the lower the number, the larger the title is represented.
	Cette balise permet de créer des paragraphes.
	This HTML tag allows you to display paragraphs larger than normal.
	This tag is used to reduce the font size of a paragraph.
	This tag is used to superscript individual characters, for example in the equation e = mc², which are then collapsed and displayed slightly above the line.
	This tag allows you to display characters as subscripts. An example is the chemical formula of water: H2O.
	This tag indicates that text has been inserted into a document.
	The tag indicates that text has been deleted from a document.
	This tag is used to cross out individual passages.
	This HTML tag allows you to color the background of words, sentences and sections of text.

Note

Since HTML5, some formatting tags, like And are considered obsolete and should no longer be used. For these styles it is now recommended to use CSSwhich allows more precise and flexible control over the appearance of text. For example, the formatting formerly provided by can be replaced by font-size in CSS, while can be substituted by text-decoration: line-through;.

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HTML Formatting: application examples

HTML formatting offers countless possibilities for structuring texts and other elements of websites and making them more attractive. To fully exploit the potential of HTML formatting, it is important to know how to use different HTML tags. The following application examples explain how this works.

Example 1: display text in bold

To display a word or passage of text in bold, use the HTML tag . As a physical tag, this command only changes the appearance of the corresponding paragraph.

    


    
En utilisant la balise appropriée, le texte sera affiché en gras.

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Exit :

Using the appropriate tag, the text will be displayed in bold.

Example 2: Highlight passages of text

If your goal is to highlight a passage for readers, search engines, and browsers, use the HTML tag . This underlines the importance of the highlighted passage. Here too, the corresponding passage is usually displayed in bold.

    


    
Les derniers mots de la phrase sont mis en évidence.

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Exit :

The last words of the sentence are highlighted.

Example 3: Display words and passages in italics

It is not uncommon for foreign words to be displayed in italics in texts so that they are immediately noticeable when reading. In this case, the HTML tag is used.

    


    
Le mot suivant est affiché en italique.

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Exit :

The next word is displayed in italics.

Example 4: underline passages of text

Of course, HTML formatting also offers the possibility of underlining words or entire passages, that is, highlighting them with a line. For this, it is necessary to use the tag .

    


    
Souligner un mot est utile dans diverses situations.

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Example 5: crossing out words

Content surrounded by the tag are displayed crossed out. The use of this HTML tag allows, among other things, to indicate obsolete or outdated information.

    


    
L’offre est encore valable jusqu’au 1er novembre 1er décembre.

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Exit :

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