Spencer Lanoue
Strikethrough text can be a handy tool when you're editing documents in Microsoft Word. Whether you're noting down changes in a draft or simply want to show text that's no longer relevant, knowing how to apply this formatting can be quite useful. We'll look at various ways to strike through text in Word. Making it easy for you to choose the method that suits your workflow best.
What Is Strikethrough and When to Use It?
Strikethrough is a text formatting feature that visually crosses out text by drawing a horizontal line through the middle of it. This doesn't delete the text. Rather, it marks it as something to be ignored or considered for removal. So, when should you use it? It's perfect for revising drafts, keeping track of changes, or indicating items on a checklist that are no longer needed. You might find it especially handy if you're collaborating on a document and need to show what content has been reviewed or needs reconsideration.
Using the Ribbon to Apply Strikethrough
One of the most straightforward ways to apply strikethrough in Word is by using the Ribbon. Here's how you can do it:
- Highlight the Text: First, select the text you want to strike through.
- Navigate to the Home Tab: Look at the top of your Word window and click on the “Home” tab. This is where you'll find most of your basic text formatting options.
- Find the Strikethrough Button: In the “Font” group, you'll see a button with a “abc” icon and a line through it. That's your strikethrough button.
- Apply Strikethrough: Click the button, and voilà! Your selected text should now have a line through it.
It's as simple as that. This method is great for quick edits. Especially if you're already working in the ribbon for other formatting tasks.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Strikethrough
If you're all about efficiency, keyboard shortcuts are your best friend. Here's how to strike through text using your keyboard:
- Highlight the Text: As usual, start by selecting the text you want to format.
- Use the Shortcut: On Windows, press
Ctrl + Dto open the Font dialog box. On a Mac, you'll useCommand + D. - Apply Strikethrough: In the Font dialog box, you'll see a checkbox for “Strikethrough.” Click it, then hit “OK.”
Once you get the hang of it, this method can save you a lot of time. Especially if you're frequently toggling strikethrough on and off.
Using the Font Dialog Box for More Options
The Font dialog box isn't just for keyboard shortcuts. It's also where you can find some of Word's more detailed formatting options. Here's how to use it:
- Open the Font Dialog: Highlight your text, then either click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the “Font” group on the Home tab, or use the shortcut
Ctrl + D(Windows) orCommand + D(Mac). - Select Strikethrough: In this dialog, you'll see checkboxes for various text effects, including “Strikethrough.”
- Confirm Your Choice: After you've checked the box, click “OK” to apply the formatting.
This box also allows you to play around with double strikethrough, which uses two lines instead of one. It's not used as often but might be useful if you want to emphasize something even more.
Adding Strikethrough to the Quick Access Toolbar
For those who use strikethrough often, adding it to the Quick Access Toolbar might be the way to go. Here's how:
- Customize the Toolbar: Click the small drop-down arrow on the right side of the Quick Access Toolbar.
- More Commands: From the drop-down menu, select “More Commands.”
- Find Strikethrough: In the Word Options dialog, set “Choose commands from” to “All Commands.” Scroll down until you find “Strikethrough.”
- Add to Toolbar: Click “Add >>” to move Strikethrough to the list on the right, then hit “OK.”
Now, you've got a handy shortcut available at the top of your Word window, making it easier to apply strikethrough without navigating through menus.
Creating a Custom Keyboard Shortcut
If you're a fan of keyboard shortcuts, you might want to create a custom one specifically for strikethrough. This is especially useful if you find yourself using this feature often. Here's how you can set it up:
- Open Word Options: Click on “File” in the top menu, then select “Options.”
- Customize Ribbon: In the “Word Options” window, select “Customize Ribbon.”
- Keyboard Shortcuts: At the bottom, click on the “Customize” button next to “Keyboard Shortcuts.”
- Find the Command: In the “Categories” list, click “Home Tab,” then in the “Commands” list, find “Strikethrough.”
- Assign Shortcut: Click in the “Press new shortcut key” box, then press your desired shortcut (like
Ctrl + Alt + S), and click “Assign.” - Save Your Settings: Click “Close” and then “OK” to exit the Word Options.
Now, with just a few key presses, you can strike through text without even having to touch your mouse. It's a real time-saver if you're someone who loves using shortcuts.
Using Strikethrough for Task Lists
Strikethrough isn't just for editing text. It's also great for managing tasks. If you're a fan of using Word for to-do lists, applying strikethrough can help you visually track what you've completed. Here's how you can use it effectively:
- Create Your List: Start by typing out your tasks in a bullet or numbered list format.
- Complete a Task: When you finish a task, highlight it and apply strikethrough using one of the methods we discussed.
- Review Your Progress: At a glance, you can see what's done and what still needs your attention.
This method is particularly satisfying because you get the visual reward of seeing tasks crossed off your list. Plus, if you're collaborating, it's easy for others to see what's been completed.
Collaborating with Strikethrough
When you're working with a team, strikethrough can be a subtle yet effective way to suggest deletions or edits without actually removing text. Here's how to make the most of it:
- Use with Track Changes: Strikethrough can be used alongside Word's “Track Changes” feature. This allows everyone to see what's been suggested for removal without permanently changing the document.
- Leave Comments: After applying strikethrough, you can add a comment to explain why you're suggesting the removal. This keeps the communication clear and documented.
- Review Together: During team meetings, you can go through the document and discuss which strikethrough items should be kept or removed.
This method of collaboration ensures that everyone is on the same page and that no changes are made in haste. It's a great way to keep everyone involved in the editing process.
Streamlining Your Workflow with Spell
While Microsoft Word offers fantastic tools for text editing, sometimes you need something that can do the job even faster, especially when collaborating. This is where Spell comes into play. With Spell, you can leverage AI to streamline the document creation process, making it quicker and more efficient. Here's how it can help:
- Instant Drafts: Generate high-quality drafts in seconds, saving you time when starting new documents.
- Edit with Ease: Use natural language prompts to make edits, eliminating the need for manual formatting adjustments.
- Collaborate Real-Time: Share your document with team members and edit together, just like in Word, but with the added benefit of AI integration.
Spell offers a unique advantage of integrating AI into your document editing process, turning what could be hours of work into just a few minutes.
Final Thoughts
Strikethrough is a versatile tool in Microsoft Word, perfect for editing, task management, and collaboration. Whether you're using the ribbon, keyboard shortcuts, or custom toolbars, the methods are straightforward and adaptable to your needs. If you're looking for an even more efficient way to handle documents, Spell can enhance your workflow with AI, helping you create and edit documents faster and with greater ease. Give it a try and see how it fits into your document editing routine.
