Spencer Lanoue
Strikethrough text in Word is one of those nifty little tricks that can make your documents pop, especially when you want to show edits or highlight changes without deleting text. Whether you're collaborating on a project or just want a visual cue for something that needs attention, learning how to use the strikethrough feature can be incredibly useful. Today, we'll walk through everything you need to know to strike through text like a pro.
Why Use Strikethrough?
You might be wondering, "Why not just delete the text?" Well, strikethrough is a powerful way to keep the original content visible while indicating it's not needed anymore. It's like saying, "This was important once, but let's move on." Here are a few scenarios where strikethrough can be handy:
- Collaborative Editing: When multiple people are working on a document, using strikethrough helps others see what changes have been made without losing the original content.
- To-Do Lists: Ever feel the satisfaction of crossing items off your list? Strikethrough lets you mark tasks as done while keeping them visible for review.
- Brainstorming Sessions: Keep track of ideas that have been revised or discarded, showing the evolution of your thought process.
It's also a favorite among editors and teachers who wish to suggest deletions while keeping the original text intact for reference. So, let's explore how to apply this in Word.
Basic Strikethrough in Word
The simplest way to strikethrough text in Word is through the Font group on the Home tab. Here's how you do it:
- Highlight the Text: Use your cursor to select the text you want to strikethrough.
- Navigate to the Home Tab: At the top of Word, click on the Home tab if you're not already there.
- Find the Strikethrough Button: In the Font group, look for the strikethrough button, which looks like an "abc" with a line through it.
- Click the Button: Simply click on it. Voilà! Your selected text is now struck through.
That's the basic method, and it works perfectly for most single-line edits.
Using the Ribbon for Advanced Strikethrough
If you're dealing with more complex documents or need to apply strikethrough to multiple sections, the Ribbon offers a more comprehensive approach. Here's how to use it:
- Select Your Text: Just like before, start by selecting the text.
- Open the Font Dialog Box: Click the small diagonal arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Font group on the Home tab. This opens the Font dialog box.
- Navigate to Effects: In the Font dialog box, look for the Effects section.
- Check the Strikethrough Box: You'll see checkboxes for various text effects, including Strikethrough. Check it and click OK.
This method is particularly useful if you want to apply other text effects at the same time, like bold or italics.
Double Strikethrough: When One Line Isn't Enough
Sometimes, a single line through your text just doesn't cut it. Maybe you really want to emphasize that something should be ignored. For those dramatic moments, Word offers a double strikethrough. Here's how you can add some extra flair:
- Open the Font Dialog Box: Again, click on the arrow in the Font group to bring up the dialog box.
- Find the Double Strikethrough Option: Under Effects, right below the regular Strikethrough, you'll see Double Strikethrough. Check this box.
- Apply and Enjoy: Click OK, and your text will have two lines running through it, making it abundantly clear that it's not part of the final draft.
This is especially useful in professional documents where you want to ensure that everyone is on the same page about what's been removed or changed.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Strikethrough
If you're a keyboard warrior who likes to keep your fingers on the keys, Word has you covered with some handy shortcuts to speed things up. There's a catch though. By default, Word doesn't have a direct shortcut for strikethrough. But the good news is, you can create one!
Setting Up a Custom Shortcut
- Go to Customize Ribbon: Click on File, then Options, and select Customize Ribbon.
- Keyboard Shortcuts: At the bottom, you'll find a button labeled 'Customize' next to Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Choose Strikethrough: In the Customize Keyboard dialog box, find Strikethrough under Categories and assign it a new key combination.
- Save Your Shortcut: After assigning your preferred shortcut, click Assign and then Close.
Now, you can quickly apply strikethrough without even touching your mouse. Neat, right?
Strikethrough with Styles
For those who love consistency and efficiency, Word's Styles feature can be a lifesaver. Styles let you apply a set of formatting options with a single click, and you can create a style specifically for text that needs to be struck through.
- Open Styles Pane: On the Home tab, click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Styles group.
- Create a New Style: Click on the 'New Style' button at the bottom.
- Name Your Style: Give it a descriptive name like 'Strikethrough Style.'
- Format with Strikethrough: Click on Format, then Font, and check the Strikethrough box. Save your style.
Whenever you need to apply strikethrough to text, simply select your new style from the Styles pane. It's an excellent way to keep your document looking sharp and consistent.
Strikethrough in Word Online
If you're using the online version of Word, you'll be pleased to know that strikethrough is just as easy to apply. Here's a quick guide:
- Select Your Text: As usual, start by highlighting the text you want to modify.
- Access the Text Formatting Options: You'll see a floating toolbar. If not, click on the Home tab.
- Find the Strikethrough Option: Look for the strikethrough button and click it.
It's a bit more streamlined compared to the desktop version, but it gets the job done.
Using Spell for Strikethrough
Now, if you're looking to streamline your document editing even further, Spell might just be the tool for you. Imagine having all these capabilities with AI at your fingertips. With Spell, you can generate drafts and make edits faster than ever, including applying strikethrough and other formatting options without breaking a sweat. It's like having Word and a supercharged AI editor merged into one.
Strikethrough in Other Microsoft Office Apps
Strikethrough isn't just limited to Word. If you're using Excel or PowerPoint, you can apply strikethrough in a similar fashion, although the process varies slightly. Here's how you can do it:
In Excel:
- Select Your Cell: Click on the cell or range of cells where you want to apply strikethrough.
- Open Format Cells: Right-click and choose Format Cells, or press
Ctrl + 1. - Navigate to the Font Tab: Check the Strikethrough box and click OK.
In PowerPoint:
- Select the Text Box: Click on the text box containing the text you wish to modify.
- Use the Home Tab: In the Font group, click the Strikethrough button.
These methods keep your formatting consistent across different types of documents, making it easier to manage your work.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Like any feature, strikethrough can sometimes be a bit finicky. Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:
- Strikethrough Not Appearing: Make sure you've selected the text correctly. Sometimes, clicking just outside the text area can cause the feature not to apply.
- Strikethrough Not Printing: Check your print settings. Occasionally, certain print layouts might not show strikethrough. Try saving your document as a PDF to preserve formatting.
- Undoing Strikethrough: Simply reselect the text and click the strikethrough button again to remove it.
By troubleshooting these common issues, you can ensure your documents look exactly how you intend them to.
Final Thoughts
Strikethrough is a versatile feature that can enhance your document editing and collaboration. From marking completed tasks to suggesting edits, it's an invaluable tool in your Word toolkit. And if you want to take your document creation to the next level, Spell offers both the familiarity of Word and the power of AI to make your work faster and easier. It's like having a personal editor by your side, ensuring you never miss a beat.
