How to Cross Something Out in Word

So, you're working on a Microsoft Word document and need to cross something out. Whether it's to mark a correction, emphasize a change, or just for fun. Strikethrough might be a simple formatting option, but it's surprisingly handy. Let's explore how you can easily add this effect to your text and make your documents more effective. We'll cover several methods, from using simple shortcuts to exploring advanced techniques. Ready? Let's get going.

Using the Strikethrough Button

The most straightforward way to cross something out in Word is by using the strikethrough button. It's like a magic wand for text formatting, and it only takes a second.

• Highlight the text you want to cross out.
• Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
• Look for the Strikethrough button, which looks like "abc" with a line through it.
• Click it, and voil√†. Your text now has a line through it!

It's as easy as pie. But what if you want to add strikethrough to multiple sections of your text? Just hold down the Ctrl key (or Cmd on a Mac) while clicking to select different pieces of text. Then hit the strikethrough button, and all your selected text will be crossed out at once.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Cross-Outs

If you're a fan of keyboard shortcuts, you're in luck. Word offers a quick way to apply strikethrough without lifting your hands from the keyboard.

• Highlight the text you want to cross out.
• Press Ctrl + D (or Cmd + D on a Mac) to open the Font dialog box.
• Press Alt + K to check the Strikethrough option.
• Press Enter to apply the formatting.

Alternatively, you can assign a specific shortcut for strikethrough if you use it frequently. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, then click Customize beside Keyboard Shortcuts. Find "Strikethrough" under the "All Commands" category, click it, and assign your preferred shortcut.

Using the Font Dialog Box

Another way to cross out text in Word is through the Font dialog box. This method gives you a few more formatting options and is perfect for those who like to see all choices clearly laid out.

• Select the text you want to strike through.
• Right-click the selected text and choose Font from the context menu.
• In the Font dialog box, you'll find the Strikethrough option.
• Tick the box next to Strikethrough and click OK.

This method is particularly useful if you're already in the Font dialog box for other reasons, like changing the font style or size. It's a one-stop-shop for all things text formatting.

Double Strikethrough for Extra Emphasis

Sometimes a single line doesn't cut it, and you need to double down. Literally. Word offers a double strikethrough option that adds two lines through your text, making it even more noticeable.

• Highlight the text you wish to double strike through.
• Open the Font dialog box by pressing Ctrl + D (or Cmd + D on a Mac).
• Check the box next to Double Strikethrough.
• Press OK to apply the change.

Double strikethrough can be particularly useful in documents where you want to differentiate between various types of edits or corrections. It's a simple yet effective way to add visual hierarchy to your text.

Incorporating Spell for Even Faster Edits

While these Word methods work great, sometimes you need to handle multiple documents quickly or collaborate with others. That's where Spell can help. It's an AI document editor that can apply formatting like strikethrough across your documents in seconds. Plus, with Spell, you're not just limited to strikethroughs—you can draft, edit, and refine your documents with AI, saving you a lot of time.

Imagine you're working on a team project and need to make changes visible to all members. With Spell, you can easily add strikethroughs to highlight areas that need attention or have been updated. It's like having an assistant that helps you keep everything organized and clear.

Creating a Custom Style for Strikethrough

If you find yourself using strikethrough often, creating a custom style can save you even more time. This way, you can apply multiple formatting options, including strikethrough, with a single click.

• Go to the Home tab and click on Styles.
• Click the New Style button to create a new style.
• Name the style, for example, "Strikethrough Style."
• Under the Format drop-down menu, select Font.
• Check the Strikethrough box and choose any other formatting options you need.
• Click OK and then OK again to save your new style.

Now, whenever you want to apply strikethrough, just select your text and apply your custom style from the Styles menu. It's a neat trick that keeps your formatting consistent and easy to manage.

Using Strikethrough for Collaborative Editing

Strikethrough isn't just about crossing things out, it's also a powerful tool for collaboration. When multiple people are editing a document, using strikethrough can help track changes and suggestions.

• Enable Track Changes by going to the Review tab and clicking Track Changes.
• As you make edits, Word will automatically apply strikethrough to deleted text and underline new additions.
• Reviewers can easily see what's been changed, making it easier to approve or reject edits.

This feature is particularly helpful in team environments, where several people might be working on a single document. It minimizes the risk of miscommunication and keeps everyone on the same page.

Combining Strikethrough with Other Formatting

Strikethrough is versatile and can be combined with other formatting options for even more clarity. Here's how you can make your text stand out even more:

• Bold and Strikethrough: Highlight important changes by combining bold with strikethrough.
• Italic and Strikethrough: Use this combo for less critical edits or suggestions.
• Colored Strikethrough: Change the color of the strikethrough line to convey different meanings (e.g., red for urgent changes).

Mixing and matching these styles allows you to create a visual hierarchy that makes your document easier to read and understand. You can even use color-coded strikethroughs to indicate different stages of editing or approval.

Advanced: Strikethrough with VBA Macros

If you're a power user, VBA macros can take your strikethrough game to the next level. Macros let you automate repetitive tasks, such as applying strikethrough to certain words or phrases throughout a document.

• Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
• Choose Insert > Module to create a new module.
• Type your macro code. Here's a simple example:

Sub ApplyStrikethrough()
    Selection.Font.StrikeThrough = True
End Sub

• Close the VBA editor and return to Word.
• Run your macro by pressing Alt + F8 and selecting ApplyStrikethrough.

With VBA, you can customize your macros to suit your needs, whether it's applying strikethrough to specific keywords or automating a series of formatting changes. It's a powerful tool that can save you a lot of time, especially in large documents.

Final Thoughts

Crossing out text in Word isn't just for fun. It's a practical tool for editing and collaboration. Whether you're using the strikethrough button, keyboard shortcuts, or even VBA macros, there are plenty of ways to make your text stand out. And for those times when you need to speed things up, Spell offers a seamless way to handle edits and formatting with AI, making your workflow faster and more efficient. Give it a try, and see how it can transform your document creation process.