How to Strike Out in Word

Striking out text is a helpful feature in Microsoft Word that lets you visually indicate that certain parts of your document are no longer relevant without completely removing the text. This feature can benefit document revisions, collaborative editing, and proofreading. This article will cover everything you need to know about how to strike out in Word. By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to use this feature effectively in your documents.

What is Strikethrough and Why Use It?

Strikethrough is a typographical effect that visually crosses out text by drawing a horizontal line through the center of the words. You often see this effect popping up in different situations:

• Editing and Revising: When editing a document, strikethrough allows users to indicate which parts of the text should be deleted or revised while still keeping the original text visible for reference.
• Task Lists: Striking out finished tasks on your to-do lists or project plans lets you see what you’ve already done.
• Emphasis: You can use strikethrough to add a touch of emphasis or a hint of irony to your writing.

Understanding these uses can help you decide when and where to apply this feature in your work.

Basic Method to Strike Out in Word

The most straightforward way to strike out text in Word involves using the strikethrough button in the toolbar. Here’s how:

1. Select the Text: Mark the text you want to strike out by highlighting them.
2. Navigate to the Ribbon: Go to the toolbar at the top of the Word document.
3. Find the Strikethrough Button: In the ‘Home’ tab, within the ‘Font’ group, you will see a button with ‘abc’ crossed out. This is the strikethrough button.
4. Apply Strikethrough: Click the strikethrough button, and the chosen text will instantly have a line through it.

This method is easy and quick, perfect for occasional use or when working on simple documents.

Applying Strikethrough Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Word offers a quick way to strike through text if you like saving time with keyboard shortcuts:

1. Highlight the Text: As before, start by selecting the text you wish to strike out.
2. Use the Shortcut: Press Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac) to open the Font dialog box. Then press Alt + K (or look for the strikethrough checkbox) to apply the strikethrough.

Alternatively, in some versions of Word, you can directly press Ctrl + T to apply strikethrough without opening the Font dialog box. Shortcuts help speed up the editing process, especially in documents requiring extensive revisions.

Using Strikethrough in Word for Mac

For Mac users, the steps can be slightly different:

1. Highlight the Text: As before, start by selecting the text you want to strike out.
2. Open the Font Dialog Box: Press Cmd + T to open the Font dialog box.
3. Apply Strikethrough: The strikethrough option is in the Font dialog box. Click on it, and the chosen text will have a line through it.

While the process is quite similar to Windows, slight variations in commands make it essential to be familiar with your specific platform’s shortcuts.

How to Strike Out in Word: Adding the Button to the Quick Access Toolbar

Putting it in the Quick Access Toolbar can speed things up if you often use the strikethrough option. Here’s how to do it:

1. Access the Quick Access Toolbar: Click the small arrow at the top left corner of the Word window, next to the save icon.
2. Customize the Toolbar: Choose ‘More Commands’ in the dropdown menu.
3. Select Strikethrough: In the ‘Word Options’ window that appears, select ‘All Commands’ from the ‘Choose commands from’ dropdown. Scroll down to find ‘Strikethrough’.
4. Add to Toolbar: Select ‘Strikethrough’ and click ‘Add.’ Then click ‘OK’ to finalize.

Now, the strikethrough button will be easily accessible from the Quick Access Toolbar, making it more convenient for frequent use.

Customizing Strikethrough Appearance

Word also allows you to customize the appearance of the strikethrough. If the default strikethrough doesn’t suit your needs, here’s how you can adjust it:

1. Open the Font Dialog Box: Press Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac).
2. Customize Strikethrough Settings: In the Font dialog box, you can choose ‘Double strikethrough’ for a more prominent effect or customize the font and color to make the strikethrough stand out.

These customization options are great for tailoring the appearance to fit your document’s style.

Strikethrough in Lists

You might want to strike out entire items instead of individual words when working with to-do lists or bullet points. Here’s how:

1. Select List Item: Highlight the whole bullet point or numbered item.
2. Apply Strikethrough: Use the strikethrough button or the keyboard shortcut.

By striking out complete items, you can easily keep track of tasks and completed milestones within your document.

Advanced Features: Conditional Formatting with Strikethrough

In more intricate situations, Word can apply conditional formatting that includes strikethrough. This process is somewhat more complicated and requires setting specific rules for when text will automatically get a line through it. Here is a basic example:

1. Navigate to Styles: Go to the ‘Home’ tab and click ‘Styles’.
2. Create New Style: Click ‘New Style’ and choose ‘Font.’
3. Set Conditions: Define the conditions under which the strikethrough should apply, such as specific keywords, fonts, or paragraph styles.
4. Apply the Custom Style: Use this new custom style to format text, and Word will apply strikethrough based on the conditions you set.

This advanced method is handy in large documents or collaborative projects where consistency is necessary.

Sharing and Compatibility

One important consideration when using strikethrough is how it will appear across different platforms and formats. Here are some tips:

• Compatibility with PDF: The strikethrough effect usually stays intact when you convert your Word document to a PDF.
• Email and Other Formats: If you copy and paste text with strikethrough into emails or other text editors, the effect may or may not carry over, depending on the software.

Awareness of these potential issues helps ensure your document’s formatting remains consistent in various contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to How To Strike Out In Word

Q. What does “strike out” mean in Microsoft Word?
A. “Strike out” is when you put a line through some text to signal that it no longer matters and should be disregarded.

Q. How do I strike out text in Word using the ribbon?
A. Highlight the text you want to strike out, go to the “Home” tab, and click on the “Strikethrough” option in the Font group.

Q. Can I use a keyboard shortcut to strike out text in Word?
A. Yes! Highlight the text, hit “Ctrl” + “D” to pull up the Font options, and then tick the “Strikethrough” checkbox.

Q. Is it possible to strike out text in a Word table?
A. Yes, following the same steps, you can strike out text in any part of your Word document, including tables.

Q. What if I want to remove the strikethrough effect?
A. To remove the strikethrough, select the text with the strikethrough and repeat the steps you used to apply it.

Q. Can I apply strikethrough to multiple pieces of text at once?
A. Yes, you can hold down the “Ctrl” key while highlighting multiple pieces of text and applying strikethrough to all of them simultaneously.

Q. Does the strikethrough effect print in Word?
A. Yes. Text with strikethrough will print just like any other text in your document.

Q. What versions of Word support the strikethrough feature?
A. Most versions of Microsoft Word, including Word 2007 and later, support the strikethrough feature.

Q. How do I add strikethrough to text in Word Online?
A. In Word Online, highlight the text, head to the “Home” tab, and hit the “Strikethrough” button under the Font options.

Q. Can I use strikethrough for styling in my document?
A. Absolutely! You can use strikethrough for style, like highlighting changes or marking off finished tasks.

Conclusion

Strikethrough is a powerful and versatile feature in Microsoft Word that can significantly enhance your document editing and formatting processes. Knowing how to strike out in Word, whether revising texts, keeping track of tasks, or adding stylistic elements, is important. So, follow the steps and tips in this guide to use this feature confidently and efficiently!