[Excel Shortcut] Add Strikethrough to Text (Windows & Mac)

Written by Kasper Langmann

In the world of Excel, efficiency is king. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a beginner, knowing your way around Excel shortcuts can significantly boost your productivity. One such shortcut that often comes in handy is the strikethrough text feature. This feature allows you to cross out text in a cell, indicating that it’s no longer relevant without actually deleting it. In this guide, we’ll explore how to add a strikethrough to text in Excel on both Windows and Mac systems.

Understanding the Strikethrough Feature

The strikethrough feature in Excel is a formatting option that allows you to draw a line through the middle of the text in a cell. This is particularly useful when you want to keep track of tasks or items that have been completed or are no longer relevant. The strikethrough feature provides a visual indicator that the item has been dealt with, without removing it from the list entirely.

Strikethrough is a common feature in many applications, including word processors and text editors. However, in Excel, it’s not as straightforward to access. There’s no dedicated button on the toolbar for this feature, which is why knowing the shortcut can save you a lot of time.

How to Add Strikethrough in Excel on Windows

For Windows users, adding a strikethrough in Excel is a simple process. The shortcut for this feature is Ctrl + 5. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it:

  1. Select the cell containing the text you want to strikethrough.
  2. Press Ctrl + 5 on your keyboard.
  3. The text in the selected cell will now have a line through it, indicating it has been struck through.

This shortcut is a toggle action, meaning if you press the shortcut again, the strikethrough will be removed.

How to Add Strikethrough in Excel on Mac

For Mac users, the process is slightly different but still straightforward. The shortcut for adding a strikethrough in Excel on a Mac is Command + Shift + X. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Select the cell containing the text you want to strikethrough.
  2. Press Command + Shift + X on your keyboard.
  3. The text in the selected cell will now be struck through.

Just like on Windows, this shortcut is a toggle action on Mac as well. Pressing the shortcut again will remove the strikethrough.

Adding Strikethrough Without Using Shortcuts

If you’re not a fan of keyboard shortcuts, or if you simply forget them, there’s no need to worry. You can still add a strikethrough to your text in Excel without using shortcuts. Here’s how:

  1. Select the cell containing the text you want to strikethrough.
  2. Right-click on the cell and select ‘Format Cells’ from the context menu.
  3. In the ‘Format Cells’ dialog box, click on the ‘Font’ tab.
  4. Under ‘Effects’, check the box next to ‘Strikethrough’.
  5. Click ‘OK’ to apply the strikethrough to your text.

This method works the same way on both Windows and Mac systems.

Conclusion

Excel is a powerful tool with a multitude of features and shortcuts designed to make your work easier and more efficient. The strikethrough feature, while not as prominently placed as some other features, is a useful tool for keeping track of completed tasks or outdated information. Whether you’re using a Windows or Mac system, adding a strikethrough to your text in Excel is a simple process that can be accomplished either with a quick keyboard shortcut or a few clicks of the mouse.

Remember, the key to mastering Excel is practice. The more you use these shortcuts and features, the more second nature they’ll become. So, don’t be afraid to dive in and start striking through your Excel text today!