How to Strike Through on Excel
Striking through text in Excel might seem tricky, but it’s super easy once you know the steps. You can use the Format Cells option or a keyboard shortcut to cross out text in your spreadsheet. Here’s a quick guide: select the cell, use Ctrl + 1 to open Format Cells, and select the Strikethrough option. Voilà! Your text is now crossed out.
Step-by-Step Tutorial for Striking Through on Excel
Want to know how to strike through on Excel like a pro? Follow these simple steps to get your text crossed out in no time.
Step 1: Select the cell or cells you want to format.
Click on the cell or highlight multiple cells if you need to format more than one.
Step 2: Press Ctrl + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog box.
This shortcut quickly brings up the Format Cells options, saving you from digging through menus.
Step 3: Go to the Font tab.
In the Format Cells dialog box, navigate to the Font tab to find the text formatting options.
Step 4: Check the Strikethrough box.
Look for the Strikethrough option in the Effects section and tick the box.
Step 5: Click OK to apply the changes.
Once you’ve checked the Strikethrough box, hit OK to finalize your selection.
After you complete these steps, the selected text will have a line through it, indicating it’s been crossed out.
Tips for Striking Through on Excel
- Use keyboard shortcuts: If you need to strike through text often, memorize the Ctrl + 1, then Tab, S, Enter sequence to speed up the process.
- Conditional formatting: Use conditional formatting to automatically strike through text based on specific criteria.
- Custom toolbar: Add the Strikethrough command to your Quick Access Toolbar for one-click access.
- Use formulas: Combine functions like IF and CONCATENATE to conditionally strike through text in complex spreadsheets.
- Macros: Create a macro if you frequently need to strike through text in large datasets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I strike through part of the text in a cell?
No, Excel only allows you to strike through the entire content of a cell, not just parts of it.
Is there a way to automatically strike through text based on cell value?
Yes, you can use conditional formatting to strike through text when it meets certain criteria.
Can I remove the strikethrough format?
Absolutely, just open the Format Cells dialog box again and uncheck the Strikethrough option.
Does strikethrough affect cell calculations?
No, strikethrough is purely a visual format and doesn’t impact any calculations in the cell.
Can I apply strikethrough to a range of cells at once?
Yes, select the range of cells and follow the same steps to apply strikethrough formatting to all selected cells.
Summary
- Select the cell or cells.
- Press Ctrl + 1.
- Go to the Font tab.
- Check the Strikethrough box.
- Click OK.
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks! Striking through text in Excel is a breeze once you know the steps. Whether you’re marking tasks as complete or simply want to add a visual cue, this easy formatting trick can save you time and help keep your spreadsheets organized.
If you’re diving into Excel and want to get even more out of it, consider learning other formatting techniques like conditional formatting and custom toolbars. These little tricks can make a big difference in how efficiently you work.
Don’t stop here—continue exploring the endless possibilities Excel offers. Happy formatting!

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.