How to Add a Strikethrough in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Add a Strikethrough in Excel

Adding a strikethrough in Excel is a simple way to visually indicate that certain data is no longer relevant without completely removing it. To achieve this, you can use a straightforward keyboard shortcut or access the strikethrough option through the Format Cells dialog box. Here’s how you can easily do it:

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Add a Strikethrough in Excel

In this section, you’ll learn the step-by-step process of adding a strikethrough in an Excel cell, making it easy for you to follow along and apply it to your own documents.

Step 1: Select the Cell or Text

First, select the cell or the specific text within the cell that you want to strike through.
Make sure you click on the cell you want to format, or highlight the specific portion of text if it’s part of a longer string.

Step 2: Open the Format Cells Dialog Box

Next, press Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard to open the Format Cells dialog box.
On a Mac, you can use Command + 1. This shortcut brings up the dialog where you’ll find various formatting options.

Step 3: Navigate to the Font Tab

In the Format Cells dialog box, click on the Font tab to access font-related formatting options.
The Font tab is where you’ll see all the text formatting choices like bold, italic, and of course, strikethrough.

Step 4: Check the Strikethrough Option

Under the Font tab, locate the Strikethrough checkbox and click on it to add a checkmark.
This action tells Excel that you want to apply a strikethrough to the selected text.

Step 5: Click OK

Finally, click the OK button to apply the strikethrough formatting to the selected text or cell.
Once you click OK, Excel will immediately update the cell to show the strikethrough effect.

After completing these steps, you’ll see that the text in the selected cell now has a line through it, indicating that it has been struck through. This is particularly useful for project management and tracking completed tasks.

Tips for Adding a Strikethrough in Excel

  1. Keyboard Shortcut: Use Ctrl + 5 for a quick strikethrough in Windows or Command + Shift + X on a Mac.
  2. Formatting Multiple Cells: Select multiple cells before applying the strikethrough to format them all at once.
  3. Conditional Formatting: Implement conditional formatting rules to automatically apply strikethroughs based on certain criteria.
  4. Undo Strikethrough: Simply repeat the steps and uncheck the Strikethrough option to remove it.
  5. Combine Formats: Combine strikethrough with other formats like bold or italic to make the text stand out even more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adding a Strikethrough in Excel

How do I quickly add a strikethrough without using the Format Cells dialog?

You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + 5 on Windows or Command + Shift + X on a Mac.

Can I apply a strikethrough to part of the text within a cell?

Yes, highlight just the portion of text you want to strike through and then apply the formatting.

Is there a way to automatically apply strikethroughs in Excel?

Yes, you can use conditional formatting rules to automate the process based on certain conditions.

How do I remove a strikethrough format?

Repeat the steps to open the Format Cells dialog box and uncheck the Strikethrough option, then click OK.

Will a strikethrough affect any formulas in my Excel sheet?

No, applying a strikethrough is purely a visual format and will not affect the underlying data or formulas.

Summary

  1. Select the cell or text.
  2. Open the Format Cells dialog box.
  3. Navigate to the Font tab.
  4. Check the Strikethrough option.
  5. Click OK.

Conclusion

Adding a strikethrough in Excel is an effective method to manage and visually organize your data. It’s especially helpful in project tracking or marking items as completed while still keeping a record for future reference. Whether you use the keyboard shortcut or go through the Format Cells dialog box, mastering this skill can save you a lot of time and help keep your spreadsheets neat and organized.

If you find yourself frequently needing to strike through text, consider setting up conditional formatting rules to automate the process. As always, practice makes perfect. Don’t hesitate to experiment with other formatting options to see what works best for your needs.

For more tips on how to make the most of Excel, check out our other articles and tutorials. Happy formatting!

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