Striking through a word in Excel can make your data stand out or indicate completed tasks. It’s a simple process: select the cell, open the Format Cells dialog, navigate to the Font tab, and check the Strikethrough option. Let’s break it down step-by-step to ensure you get it right.
How to Strike a Word in Excel
In this section, we’ll walk through how to apply strikethrough formatting to a word in Excel. This will help you visually mark items as complete, incorrect, or simply for emphasis. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Open Your Excel Spreadsheet
First, open your Excel spreadsheet where you want to strike through a word.
Simply double-click the Excel file on your computer or open Excel and use the File menu to locate your document. Make sure the spreadsheet is ready to edit.
Step 2: Select the Cell
Next, click on the cell that contains the word you want to strike through.
This will highlight the cell, making it active for any changes you want to make. If your word is part of a larger text in that cell, you’ll need to double-click the cell or press F2 to edit the specific word.
Step 3: Highlight the Word
If the word you want to format is within a larger text, highlight it by clicking and dragging your cursor over the word.
This step is crucial if you’re only striking through one word in a cell with multiple words. Ensure the exact text you want to format is selected.
Step 4: Open the Format Cells Dialog
Press Ctrl + 1 (or Command + 1 on a Mac) to open the Format Cells dialog box.
This shortcut takes you directly to the formatting options for the selected cell or text, where you can modify various attributes, including the font, border, and fill.
Step 5: Navigate to the Font Tab
In the Format Cells dialog box, click on the Font tab.
This tab contains all the text formatting options. Here, you can change the font style, size, color, and apply effects like strikethrough.
Step 6: Check the Strikethrough Option
Check the box next to Strikethrough under Effects, and then click OK.
This will apply the strikethrough effect to the highlighted word or entire cell content, making it visually distinct as per your requirement.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the specified word or text in your Excel cell will have a line through it, indicating it has been struck through.
Tips for Striking a Word in Excel
- Use Shortcuts: Pressing Ctrl + 1 (Command + 1 on Mac) can save time by opening the Format Cells dialog directly.
- Partial Text: If you only need to strike through part of the text within a cell, make sure to highlight only the portion you want to format.
- Clear Formatting: To remove strikethrough, simply follow the steps again and uncheck the Strikethrough option.
- Multiple Cells: You can select multiple cells and strike through the text in all of them at once.
- Conditional Formatting: For more advanced users, consider using conditional formatting to automatically strike through text based on specific criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I strike through only part of the text in an Excel cell?
Yes, highlight just the portion of text you want to strike through and apply the strikethrough format.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to apply strikethrough directly?
Excel doesn’t have a built-in shortcut, but you can create a custom one using macros.
Can I undo a strikethrough?
Yes, simply follow the same steps and uncheck the Strikethrough option in the Format Cells dialog box.
Does strikethrough work in all versions of Excel?
Yes, the strikethrough feature is available in all modern versions of Excel, including Excel Online.
Can I use strikethrough in Excel on my phone?
Yes, but the steps might vary slightly depending on whether you’re using the Android or iOS version of the Excel app.
Summary of Steps
- Open your Excel Spreadsheet.
- Select the Cell.
- Highlight the Word.
- Open the Format Cells Dialog.
- Navigate to the Font Tab.
- Check the Strikethrough Option.
Conclusion
Striking through a word in Excel is a handy way to keep your data organized and visually clear. Whether you’re marking tasks as completed, indicating incorrect information, or just emphasizing certain data, the strikethrough feature makes it easy to update and manage your spreadsheet. Remember, the steps are straightforward: select the cell, highlight the text, and apply the strikethrough effect through the Format Cells dialog.
Following these steps will make your workflow smoother and your data more comprehensible. If you’re frequently working with Excel, mastering simple tricks like this can save you time and boost your productivity. If you’re interested in learning more Excel tips and tricks, consider exploring tutorials on conditional formatting, data validation, and pivot tables. Happy Excel-ing!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.