How to Draw a Line Through Words in Google Docs

Strikethrough text in Google Docs is a handy feature when you want to show edits or emphasize that something is outdated without completely removing it from view. It's like crossing off items on a to-do list but in a digital document. Here, we'll walk through the steps to draw a line through your words in Google Docs, explore some practical uses, and even touch on some advanced tricks to make your document editing more efficient.

Why Use Strikethrough?

Before we jump into the how-tos, let's talk about why you might want to use strikethrough in the first place. It's not just for showing what's been deleted. Here are a few scenarios where strikethrough can be quite useful:

• Editing and Proofreading: If you're collaborating on a document, strikethrough can highlight changes without deleting the original text, making it easy for others to see what's been modified.
• Task Management: In project management or list-making, crossing off completed tasks is a simple way to show progress.
• Humor and Sarcasm: Adding strikethrough can add a playful tone or sarcasm to your writing, showing what you really wanted to say but didn't.

These are just a few examples, but you might find your own creative uses for strikethrough in your documents.

The Basic Method: Using the Format Menu

Let's start with the classic way to add a line through your text in Google Docs. This method is straightforward and doesn't require any fancy keyboard shortcuts.

1. Open your Google Docs document and select the text you want to apply the strikethrough to.
2. Go to the top menu and click Format.
3. Hover over Text in the dropdown menu.
4. Select Strikethrough from the submenu.

And just like that, your selected text will have a line through it. This method is foolproof and works whether you're on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook. If you're someone who likes to use menus for everything, this method will feel just right.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Speed

For those who love shortcuts, Google Docs has you covered. Keyboard shortcuts can speed up your workflow considerably. Here's how you can strikethrough text with a few keystrokes:

On Windows

• Select the text you wish to strikethrough.
• Press Alt + Shift + 5.

On Mac

• Select the text you wish to strikethrough.
• Press Command + Shift + X.

Using these shortcuts can become second nature once you get used to them, and they're a real time-saver when you're editing documents frequently.

Strikethrough on Mobile: Is It Possible?

Google Docs on mobile devices offers a slightly different experience. You might wonder if strikethrough is even an option when you're using the app on your phone or tablet.

Here's the trick:

1. Open your Google Docs app and select the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Tap the Format button at the top (it looks like an "A" with horizontal lines).
3. Scroll down in the text formatting options and tap Strikethrough.

While it's not as quick as using a keyboard shortcut, it's good to know that you can still manage your document's formatting on the go.

Practical Uses for Strikethrough

We've touched on some basic uses, but let's dig a little deeper into how strikethrough can be a powerful tool in your document arsenal.

Meeting Minutes and Agendas

When taking notes during meetings, using strikethrough can help you track items that have been discussed or decided. It keeps the agenda visible but clearly indicates what's been covered, helping everyone stay on the same page.

Draft Revisions

If you're working on a draft or story, strikethrough can help manage revisions. Instead of deleting text, strike it through to keep a visual record of your changes. This can be particularly helpful in collaborative environments where multiple people contribute to the writing process.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

Imagine you're working on a budget spreadsheet and need to make adjustments. By using strikethrough, you can keep track of amounts that have been changed or eliminated, providing a clear history of your financial planning process.

Advanced Tips: Combining Strikethrough with Other Formatting

Strikethrough is versatile and can be combined with other text formatting options to highlight or emphasize even further. Here are a few combinations to consider:

Strikethrough and Highlight

Want to make sure your strikethrough text still grabs attention? Try highlighting it:

• Select your strikethrough text.
• Click the Highlight Color button on the toolbar and choose your preferred color.

This approach works well if you want to ensure the text isn't overlooked, even though it's crossed out.

Bold and Strikethrough

To emphasize that something is both important and removed, you can bold the strikethrough text:

• Select your text, and apply strikethrough as usual.
• Then press Ctrl + B (Windows) or Command + B (Mac) to bold it.

This technique is useful in documents where you want readers to focus on what has changed, like in a draft or an edited version of a document.

Collaborative Editing with Strikethrough

In collaborative environments, like shared Google Docs, strikethrough can be particularly helpful. It allows multiple people to suggest changes without permanently altering the document until everyone has agreed.

Using Comments with Strikethrough

Another way to make collaboration smoother is by using comments alongside strikethrough:

• Highlight the text you want to strikethrough and apply the format.
• Then, add a comment explaining why the text was struck through. This way, your collaborators can see your reasoning and provide feedback.

This approach helps maintain transparency and encourages constructive feedback.

Maximizing Productivity with Tools Like Spell

If you find yourself needing to apply strikethrough and other formats often, especially when drafting documents, consider using tools like Spell. Spell integrates AI into your document creation process, helping to automate repetitive tasks like formatting. It allows you to generate drafts quickly, and you can use natural language to make edits, including adding strikethroughs.

The beauty of Spell is that it combines the ease of use found in Google Docs with AI capabilities, making your workflow more efficient. You can draft, edit, and collaborate all within one platform, saving you time and keeping your documents organized.

Using Strikethrough in Templates

If you regularly use templates for your documents, incorporating strikethrough into them can be a smart move. Here's how you can do it:

Set Up a Template

• Create a new document and format it according to your needs, including any strikethroughs you anticipate using.
• Save this document as a template by going to File > Make a Copy for each new project.

This way, you have a consistent starting point for your documents, complete with strikethroughs for common sections that might change over time.

Strikethrough and Version History

Google Docs' version history feature is an excellent tool for tracking changes over time. Strikethroughs can be a useful part of this process, showing what text was considered but eventually modified or removed.

Accessing version history is simple:

1. Go to File > Version History > See Version History.
2. In the panel that opens, you can view past versions of the document and see what text was struck through, providing context for the changes.

This feature is beneficial for long-term projects where multiple drafts and changes occur.

Strikethrough and AI: A Perfect Match

Combining AI tools like Spell with Google Docs can elevate your document editing experience. With Spell, you can go from idea to polished document faster, and its AI capabilities allow you to manage formatting, including strikethrough, with ease.

Imagine being able to tell your document editor to strike through a section and it happens instantly. Spell offers this kind of functionality, making your editing process seamless and efficient.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to use strikethrough in Google Docs can enhance the way you communicate ideas, track changes, and collaborate with others. Whether for editing drafts or managing tasks, the strikethrough feature is versatile and straightforward once you know the steps. And with tools like Spell, you can take this even further by automating and streamlining your document creation process, making it faster and more efficient. Happy editing!