Are you staring at your document, wondering how to cross out some text without deleting it? You’re not alone. Strikethrough is a handy formatting tool that many people struggle to use, especially across different applications.
Whether you’re editing a work report, managing your to-do list, or collaborating on a group project, knowing how to apply strikethrough can make your life easier. It allows you to show changes, mark completed tasks, or indicate outdated information while keeping the original text visible.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to use strikethrough in popular apps like Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and Gmail. We’ll cover quick keyboard shortcuts and menu options for both desktop and mobile devices.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll be able to confidently apply strikethrough to any text, making your documents clearer and your editing process smoother.
How to Strikethrough on MS Office, Google Docs & Gmail?
Microsoft Office is a suite of powerful productivity tools used by millions worldwide. Let’s look at how to apply strikethrough in its most popular applications:
1. Microsoft Word
To strikethrough text in Word:
- Windows: Select the text and press Alt + H + 4.
- Mac: Select the text and press Command + Shift + X.
Alternatively, you can use the Font dialog box:
- Select your text.
- Right-click and choose “Font“.
- Check the “Strikethrough” box.
- Click “OK“.
2. Microsoft Excel
Excel uses a different shortcut:
- Windows and Mac: Select the cells and press Ctrl + 5.
You can also find the strikethrough option in the Font group on the Home tab of the Excel ribbon.
3. Microsoft PowerPoint
For PowerPoint presentations:
- Windows: Select the text and press Alt + H + 4.
- Mac: Select the text, press Command + T, choose “Strikethrough,” and click “OK“.
4. Microsoft Outlook
In Outlook, the process varies slightly:
- Windows: Select the text, click on Format text in the above menu, then click on the StrikeThrough icon.
- Mac: Select the text and click on the Strikethrough icon in the toolbar above.
5. Google Docs
To strikethrough text in Google Docs:
- Windows: Select the text and press Alt + Shift + 5.
- Mac: Select the text and press Command + Shift + X.
You can also use the Format menu:
- Select your text.
- Click “Format” in the menu bar.
- Hover over “Text“.
- Click “Strikethrough“.
6. Google Sheets
Google Sheets uses the same shortcuts as Google Docs:
- Windows: Alt + Shift + 5.
- Mac: Command + Shift + X.
7. Google Slides
The consistency continues in Google Slides:
- Windows: Alt + Shift + 5.
- Mac: Command + Shift + X.
8. Gmail
Even in Gmail, you can use strikethrough:
- Windows: Alt + Shift + 5.
- Mac: Command + Shift + X.
Remember, in Gmail, you need to be in the email composition window to use these shortcuts.
Mobile Devices: Strikethrough on the Go
While keyboard shortcuts aren’t available on mobile devices, you can still use strikethrough in Google Docs and Gmail apps:
- Select the text you want to strikethrough.
- Tap the formatting options button (usually an “A” with a pencil).
- Scroll through the options and tap on “Strikethrough“.
Advanced Tips for Strikethrough Mastery
Now that you know the basics, let’s explore some advanced techniques to make the most of strikethrough formatting:
1. Combine strikethrough with other text formatting
Strikethrough doesn’t have to be used alone. You can pair it with other formatting options like bold, italic, or underline.
This combination can help you emphasize certain parts of your text even more. For example, you might use bold strikethrough to highlight an important change in a document.
2. Use strikethrough in collaborative editing
When you’re working on documents with others, strikethrough is a valuable tool. It allows you to show edits or changes without completely erasing the original text.
This approach helps maintain context and makes it easier for everyone to track revisions. Your teammates can quickly see what’s been modified and understand the document’s evolution.
3. Create interactive to-do lists with strikethrough
You can make your to-do lists more dynamic by using strikethrough. Combine strikethrough with checkboxes in your documents or emails to create interactive lists.
As you complete tasks, apply strikethrough to visually mark them off. This method gives you a clear view of your progress while keeping all items visible.
4. Set up a keyboard macro for frequent strikethrough use
If you find yourself using strikethrough often, you can save time by creating a keyboard macro. This custom shortcut allows you to apply strikethrough with a single keypress.
The exact method for setting up a macro varies depending on your operating system and software, but it can significantly speed up your workflow.
5. Apply strikethrough in web design
For those involved in web development, strikethrough can be easily applied using CSS. You can use the text-decoration: line-through; property to add strikethrough to text on your websites.
This technique allows you to incorporate strikethrough into your web designs for various purposes, such as showing discounted prices or outdated information.
When to Use Strikethrough
Strikethrough is a versatile tool that can improve your documents in many ways. Here are some common situations where you might want to use it:
1. Editing and proofreading
When you’re revising a document, strikethrough helps you show deleted text without completely removing it. This is useful when you want to keep the original wording visible for reference. It allows you and others to see both the old and new versions at a glance, making the editing process clearer.
2. Marking price changes
If you’re creating marketing materials or updating product information, strikethrough can effectively display price changes. By striking through the old price and placing the new price next to it, you clearly show the discount or price adjustment. This visual cue can be more impactful than simply listing a new price alone.
3. Managing to-do lists
Strikethrough is perfect for crossing off completed tasks on your to-do list. Unlike deleting items, using strikethrough lets you see what you’ve accomplished while still keeping the full list intact. This can be motivating and helps you track your progress over time.
4. Adding humor or emphasis
In more casual writing, strikethrough can be used creatively to add humor or emphasize a point. You can strike through a word or phrase and replace it with another, showing a change in thought or a playful correction. This technique can make your writing more engaging and conversational.
5. Updating legal documents
In legal or business contexts, strikethrough is valuable for indicating removed clauses in contracts or agreements. It allows you to show what has been taken out while maintaining a clear record of the changes. This transparency is important in many professional and legal situations.
Troubleshooting Common Strikethrough Issues
Even when you know how to use strikethrough, you might sometimes run into problems. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
1. Strikethrough not appearing
If you’ve tried to apply strikethrough but don’t see it on your text, first make sure you’ve selected the text correctly. Sometimes, we think we’ve highlighted text when we haven’t.
Try selecting the text again and use the strikethrough shortcut once more. If that doesn’t work, look for the strikethrough option in the formatting menu of your application and try applying it from there.
2. Unable to remove strikethrough
When you can’t seem to get rid of strikethrough formatting, start by using the same method you used to apply it. If that doesn’t work, try clearing all formatting from the text. You can usually find this option in the formatting menu. After clearing the formatting, you can then reapply any styles you want to keep.
3. Strikethrough affecting too much text
Sometimes, you might find that strikethrough is applied to more text than you selected. This often happens because of hidden formatting in your document. To fix this, try selecting just the text you want to strikethrough very carefully. If the problem persists, you might need to copy the text to a new document and reapply the formatting.
4. Shortcut not working
If your strikethrough shortcut isn’t working, it could be due to your keyboard settings. Check your keyboard’s language settings, as some shortcuts can vary based on the language you’re using. Also, make sure there isn’t another program on your computer that might be using the same shortcut for a different function.
The takeaway
Now that you know how to use strikethrough across various platforms, you can immediately improve your document editing and collaboration skills. Remember, whether you’re on Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or even your smartphone, you have the power to cross out text with just a few keystrokes or taps.
Don’t be afraid to use strikethrough creatively. It’s not just for showing deleted text – you can use it to track progress on tasks, add humor to your writing, or emphasize changes in your documents. The more you practice, the more naturally it will become part of your digital toolkit.
Next time you need to cross out text without deleting it, you won’t have to search for instructions. You now have the knowledge to confidently use strikethrough in any situation. So go ahead, open that document you were working on, and start striking through with ease!
