How to Strikethrough in Notion

Strikethrough text can be a handy tool when you're working with Notion, whether you're crossing out tasks on a to-do list or annotating notes and documents. It adds a layer of visual clarity, signaling that something is no longer relevant or has been completed. But if you're new to Notion, finding the strikethrough option isn't immediately obvious. Don't worry. I'm here to walk you through it step-by-step, along with a few extra tips to make the most of Notion's features.

Why Use Strikethrough in Notion?

First, a quick word on why you might want to use strikethrough in your documents. It's not just for crossing off items on a grocery list (though it's perfect for that, too). Strikethrough can serve multiple purposes:

• Task Management: Easily indicate completed tasks in a project plan or checklist.
• Editing: Show changes in a draft document by crossing out outdated or incorrect information.
• Decision Making: Visually mark options you're considering removing or have already eliminated.
• Annotation: Add comments or suggestions while reviewing documents, without deleting original content.

By using strikethrough, you keep a visual record of what's changed, which can be invaluable for team collaboration. It's a simple yet effective way to keep your workspace organized and transparent.

Basic Method: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Let's start with the simplest way to apply strikethrough in Notion: using a keyboard shortcut. If you're already familiar with the shortcuts in other text editors, this will feel quite natural. Here's how you can do it:

• For Windows: Select the text you want to strikethrough and press Ctrl + Shift + S.
• For Mac: Select the text and press Cmd + Shift + S.

This method is quick and efficient, especially if you frequently toggle between strikethrough and regular text. However, if you're not a shortcut fan or prefer using menus, there are other ways to achieve the same result.

Using the Formatting Toolbar

If you're more of a mouse-clicker than a keyboard-shortcut person, Notion's formatting toolbar is your friend. Here's how you can strikethrough text using the toolbar:

1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
2. A pop-up toolbar will appear above the selected text. Look for the S icon, which represents the strikethrough option.
3. Click the S icon, and voilla! Your text is now crossed out.

The toolbar method is particularly user-friendly, as it provides a visual interface for those who prefer to see what they're clicking. It's also a great option for beginners who are still getting used to Notion's layout and features.

Strikethrough and Markdown

For those who love Markdown (a lightweight markup language with plain-text formatting syntax), Notion supports some Markdown shortcuts, including strikethrough. Here's how you can use Markdown to strikethrough your text:

• Type ~~ before and after the text you want to strikethrough.
• For example, typing ~~this text will be strikethrough~~ will render as this text will be strikethrough.

Markdown is a powerful tool if you're comfortable with text-based coding and want to maintain a clean, minimalistic writing environment. Plus, it's a time-saver if you're already using Markdown for other formatting tasks.

Integrating Strikethrough with Other Formatting Options

Notion's strikethrough feature doesn't have to stand alone. You can combine it with other text formatting options for more nuanced document editing. Here are some examples:

• Bold Strikethrough: Highlight the text, apply bold (Ctrl/Cmd + B), then strikethrough.
• Italic Strikethrough: Highlight the text, apply italic (Ctrl/Cmd + I), then strikethrough.
• Colored Strikethrough: After applying the strikethrough, change the text color using the color picker in the toolbar.

Combining these formats allows you to emphasize different aspects of your text while still indicating that it's strikethrough, offering a richer editing experience.

Strikethrough in Tables and Databases

Tables and databases in Notion can also benefit from strikethrough. For example, you might want to strikethrough completed tasks or outdated information in a project database. Here's how:

1. Open your table or database.
2. Click on the cell containing the text you wish to strikethrough.
3. Apply strikethrough using either the keyboard shortcut or the formatting toolbar.

This functionality is especially useful in collaborative settings where multiple users need to see task status at a glance. It helps keep everyone on the same page without the need to delete or obscure past entries.

Using Strikethrough in Templates

If you frequently use strikethrough in your documents, consider saving time by incorporating it into Notion templates. This ensures consistency and speeds up your workflow. Here's a quick rundown:

1. Create a new page and set up your document with the desired strikethrough formatting.
2. Once your template is ready, click on the three dots in the top-right corner and choose "Template."
3. Name your template and save it.

Now, whenever you need to use that setup, just select your template from the menu and your strikethrough formatting will be ready to go.

Alternatives and Additional Notes

While strikethrough is a straightforward feature, there are times when other Notion functions might better serve your needs:

• Toggle Lists: If you want to hide content instead of striking it through, toggles can be a more flexible option.
• Highlighting: To emphasize text instead of crossing it out, try using the highlight feature.
• Comments: For collaborative documents, consider leaving comments instead of strikethrough for more detailed feedback.

Each of these options provides a unique way to manage and present information, depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Final Thoughts

Strikethrough text is a simple yet powerful tool in Notion, perfect for keeping your notes and tasks organized. Whether you're marking tasks as complete or editing a draft, strikethrough provides a visual cue that helps streamline your workflow. And if you're looking to create documents even faster, you might want to check out Spell. We've built an AI-powered document editor that turns hours or days of work into minutes, perfect for anyone looking to boost productivity.