Strikethrough is a useful text formatting feature that allows you to cross out words, indicating deletions, changes, or completions. With the right strikethrough shortcuts, you can easily apply this effect in documents, presentations, notes, and chats.
In this blog post, we’ll cover handy keyboard shortcuts for adding strikethrough text in some of the most widely-used applications:
Google Docs
Google Docs is popular for creating documents collaboratively in the cloud. To strikethrough text:
On Windows:
- Highlight the text and press Alt + Shift + 5
On Mac:
- Highlight the text and press ⌘ + Shift + X
You can use the same shortcuts to remove strikethrough.
Microsoft PowerPoint
To quickly cross out text in a PowerPoint presentation:
On Windows and Mac:
- Select the text and press Ctrl + T
This opens the font dialog box with strikethrough enabled. Click OK to apply.
Sticky Notes
Sticky notes are handy for jotting down reminders and to-do lists. Here’s how to strikethrough:
On Windows and Mac:
- Select the text and press Ctrl + T
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams allows team messaging, file sharing and more. To strikethrough in the desktop and web apps:
- Place the cursor at the start of the text to be struck out
- Type
~~(two tildes) - Select the text
- Type
~~again to complete the strikethrough markdown syntax
So quick and easy!
Why Use Strikethrough?
Crossing out text with strikethrough has many useful applications:
- Indicate deletions – Strikethrough cleanly shows text that has been removed, while still allowing readers to see the original phrasing.
- Show changes – Editors can highlight replaced text to indicate alterations over time.
- Emphasize corrections – Striking through incorrect information and providing the right text clearly shows the reader what has been fixed.
- Show completion status – In task lists and to-do notes, strikethrough neatly indicates finished tasks.
- Add humor – A strikethrough can lend some visual comedy to text, when used sparingly.
Tips for Using Strikethrough
When applying strikethrough formatting, keep these tips in mind:
- Use sparingly. Too much strikethrough text becomes distracting and hard to read.
- Combine with other formatting like bold or italic text to make important changes stand out.
- Be consistent in how you use it within a document or presentation. Strikethrough should have an obvious meaning to readers.
- Avoid crossing out large sections of text. Deleting and rewriting is better for substantial changes.
- Ensure accessibility by using strong color contrast between the strikethrough line and the original text.
Add Strikethrough to the Quick Access Toolbar
If you frequently need to apply strikethrough when editing documents, add it to your Quick Access Toolbar to save clicks:
On Windows:
- Right-click on Strikethrough in the Ribbon and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar
On Mac:
- Click the Quick Access Toolbar, choose Customize Toolbar, then drag Strikethrough into the toolbar
Now strikethrough is a single click away!
Strikethrough on Mobile Devices
The Google Docs and Microsoft Office mobile apps make it easy to strikethrough text on phones and tablets:
Google Docs Android & iOS
- Select the text and tap the A formatting symbol
- Choose Strikethrough (S icon with a line through it)
Word, Excel, PowerPoint iOS & Android
- Select the text and tap the Home tab
- Tap Strikethrough (S icon with a line through it)
So handy when editing documents on the go!
Conclusion
Whether you’re collaborating on documents, giving presentations, taking notes, or messaging colleagues, strikethrough text formatting allows you to cleanly indicate changes, deletions, task status and more.
Use the handy keyboard shortcuts outlined here to quickly cross out text in Google Docs, PowerPoint, Sticky Notes, Microsoft Teams, and other popular applications.
Apply strikethrough formatting consistently to help readers understand its meaning, and add the feature to your Quick Access Toolbar to access it with a single click.
With the right shortcuts and usage, strikethrough can make your documents, slides, notes and messages clearer and more informative!
