How to Strike Text in Excel: A Simple Guide to Using Strikethrough Function

Striking through text in Excel is a handy feature when you want to show that certain data is no longer relevant without actually deleting it. This quick guide will show you how to apply strikethrough formatting in just a few simple steps. After reading this, you’ll know exactly how to mark text in your Excel sheets as obsolete or completed.

How to Strike Text in Excel

This section will walk you through the steps to strike through text in Excel. Follow these steps and you’ll be able to highlight text without removing it from your document.

Step 1: Select the Cell

First, click on the cell that contains the text you want to strike through.

Selecting the cell is the first step because Excel needs to know which text you want to format. You can select multiple cells by clicking and dragging your mouse over them.

Step 2: Open the Format Cells Dialog Box

Next, press Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard to open the Format Cells dialog box.

The Format Cells dialog box is where you can find all the text formatting options. This shortcut works in most versions of Excel and saves you time.

Step 3: Navigate to the Font Tab

Once the dialog box is open, click on the "Font" tab.

The Font tab contains all the text style options, including strikethrough. It’s the third tab from the left in the dialog box.

Step 4: Check the Strikethrough Option

In the Font tab, find and check the "Strikethrough" box.

Strikethrough is usually located towards the middle of the Font tab options. Checking this box will apply the strikethrough style to your selected text.

Step 5: Click OK

Finally, click the OK button to apply the strikethrough formatting to your text.

Clicking OK confirms your choice and closes the dialog box. Your text should now have a line through it, indicating it has been struck through.

Once you complete these steps, your selected text will have a line through it, making it clear that the data is no longer needed without deleting it.

Tips for Striking Text in Excel

• Keyboard Shortcut: Instead of using the dialog box, you can use the shortcut Ctrl + 5 to quickly apply strikethrough.
• Multiple Cells: You can select multiple cells and apply strikethrough to all of them at once.
• Remove Strikethrough: Simply repeat the steps and uncheck the strikethrough box to remove it.
• Conditional Formatting: Use conditional formatting to automatically apply strikethrough based on cell values.
• Custom Styles: Combine strikethrough with other text styles like bold or italics for better visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I strike through part of the text in a cell?

No, Excel only allows you to apply strikethrough to the entire content of a cell, not just part of it.

What is the keyboard shortcut for strikethrough in Excel?

The keyboard shortcut for strikethrough is Ctrl + 5.

Can I use strikethrough in Excel Online?

Yes, but the steps may differ slightly. Look for the Font settings in the toolbar.

How do I remove strikethrough formatting?

Simply follow the same steps and uncheck the strikethrough box in the Format Cells dialog box.

Does strikethrough affect cell values?

No, strikethrough only changes the appearance of the text. The underlying cell value remains the same.

Summary

1. Select the cell
2. Open the Format Cells dialog box (Ctrl + 1)
3. Navigate to the Font tab
4. Check the Strikethrough option
5. Click OK

Conclusion

Knowing how to strike text in Excel can be incredibly useful for managing your data. Whether you’re marking tasks as completed or flagging outdated information, strikethrough helps you keep your sheets organized without losing any data. Try using the keyboard shortcuts and tips provided to make the process even quicker. If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to check out other Excel tutorials to further enhance your skills. Happy Excel-ing!