Strikethrough
Strikethrough is a font effect that causes text to appear as though it is crossed out. For example, this text should have a line through the middle of it. The strikethrough effect may be enabled through font properties if a program supports it or applied to text on a web page using HTML (hypertext markup language) or CSS (cascading style sheets). All methods of doing a strikethrough in all programs are demonstrated in the following sections.
Why would you strikethrough text?
You may want to strikethrough text for any of the following reasons.
- Indicates invalid or outdated text in a document or web page.
- The text is a to-do or other task that is being crossed off as complete.
- You changed your mind about something previously written. For example, a blogger may strikethrough text in a post they made in the past.
- You're unsure if the text being crossed out should be deleted.
- Search engine results may also show strikethrough on text that's no longer valid or is from an old page version.
What is a double strikethrough?
Double strikethrough is a variation of strikethrough, where text has two lines through it instead of one line. Double strikethrough is less common than strikethrough but may be used in professional or legal documents to indicate changes in wording. The initials of the person making the wording change may also accompany the double strikethrough.
How to double strikethrough?
Not all programs support a double strikethrough, but those that do support the feature can enable it in the font effects. For example, in Microsoft Word, to double strikethrough text, follow the steps below.
- Select the text you want to double strikethrough.
- Right-click on the selected text and click Font or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+D to open the Font window.
- In the Font window, under the Effects section, check the Double strikethrough box.
How to strikethrough on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
To strikethrough text in Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides follow the steps below.
- Select the text you want to strikethrough.
- In the file menu click Format.
- Click Text.
- Click Strikethrough.
or
- Select the text you want to strikethrough.
- Press the keyboard shortcut Alt+Shift+5 on a PC or Chromebook or Command+Shift+X on a Mac.
How do I enable strikethrough in Microsoft Word?
Microsoft Word 2007 and later
- Open Microsoft Word, then open a document.
- Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
- In the Ribbon at the top, make sure the Home tab is selected. In Word 2007, make sure the Write tab is selected.
- In the Font section, click the Strikethrough icon.
Microsoft Word 2003 and earlier
- Open Microsoft Word, then open a document.
- Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
- Click Format, then Font.
- In the Font property window, check the Strikethrough option.
How to strikethrough text in Microsoft Excel
In Microsoft Excel, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+5 to strikethrough text in a cell.
How to remove a strikethrough
To remove strikethrough, follow the same steps above used to enable strikethrough. Click any of the following links if you cannot remember the strikethrough was done.
- How to strikethrough on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
- How do I enable strikethrough in Microsoft Word?
- How to strikethrough text in Microsoft Excel.
How do I create a strikethrough on a web page?
To strikethrough text on a web page, wrap it in opening and closing <del> or <strike> tags or the following CSS code:
.strikeit {
text-decoration: line-through;
}
Once you've added this CSS code to the head of your web page, apply it to a section of text using the "strikeit" class.