Strikethrough: The Art of the Crossed-Out Word (and Why It’s Not Just a Mistake)
Ever noticed text with a line through it? Wondered why it exists? That’s the strikethrough. This typographical tool has a rich history. It serves many functions in our digital world.
Strikethrough Basics: More Than Just a Line
Strikethrough, or strikeout, features a horizontal line through text. Imagine crossing off a list item – it feels good. It’s often shown as
This isn’t a new concept. Strikethrough dates back to medieval manuscripts. Monks struck out passages way before Microsoft Word. Picture a monk crossing out heretical scripture. High stakes editing at its finest!
Double Strikethrough: When One Line Just Isn’t Enough
One line of strikethrough is good, but what about two? Enter double strikethrough. This version has two horizontal lines cutting through text. It appears as
Why use double strikethrough? In legal settings, clarity reigns. This method emphasizes revisions. It conveys, “Not only is this crossed out, it’s really crossed out.” It shows changes without removing the original text. It’s more of a transparent deletion – “We changed this, but here’s what it used to say.”
Strikethrough in Different Applications: A Digital Toolkit
Theory is one thing, but how do we use this strikethrough power daily? Strikethrough is versatile. It’s available in various applications. Let’s explore common tools and how to master strikethrough.
Microsoft Word: The Desktop Document Dominator
Microsoft Word easily implements strikethrough. There are multiple methods in Word.
Method 1: The Ribbon Route
If you prefer visuals, use the ribbon. Highlight the text to cross out, and go to the “Home” tab. In the “Font” section, find the Strikethrough button. It’s often an “abc” or a character with a line through it. Click it, and watch your text get crossed out.
You can also use the Font dialog for more control. Select the text, go to the “Home” tab, and find the tiny arrow in the “Font” section’s corner. Click it to open the Font dialog box. Here, check “Strikethrough,” hit “OK,” and enjoy your struck-through text.
Method 2: Keyboard Kung Fu
Keyboard shortcuts are for the fast among us. Word gives a few shortcuts for strikethrough. The quickest is a sequence: Ctrl+D, Alt+K, then Enter. Let’s simplify that. Ctrl+D opens the Font dialog. Alt+K selects “Strikethrough.” Lastly, Enter applies it. It sounds complicated, but it becomes easy with practice.
Google Docs: The Cloud-Based Collaborator
Google Docs also offers strikethrough options and is just as easy.
Method 1: Format Menu Magic
In Google Docs, use the “Format” menu. Highlight your text, navigate to “Format,” and hover over “Text” in the dropdown. You’ll see “Strikethrough.” Click it, and your text is struck.
Method 2: Shortcut Sorcery
Google Docs has keyboard shortcuts too. For Windows users, it’s Alt + Shift + 5. For Mac users, use Command + Shift + X. Highlight the text, press the keys, and see the strikethrough appear. Shortcuts save time; use them.
Microsoft Excel: Spreadsheets with Style
Even in Excel, strikethrough has its purpose. Mark off completed tasks or indicate outdated data. Excel can do that.
Method 1: Control + 5 Simplicity
Excel uses a simple shortcut: Ctrl + 5. Select your target cell(s), press Ctrl + 5, and voilà! The strikethrough appears. Press it again to remove it.
Method 2: Format Cells Deep Dive
If you prefer using dialogs, go to the “Format Cells” dialog. Right-click to choose “Format Cells,” or press Ctrl + 1. In the “Font” tab, find the “Strikethrough” checkbox. Check it, click “OK,” and your cells are struck.
Gmail: Emailing with Emphasis (or De-emphasis)
Gmail allows strikethrough too. It helps in email communication. Need to correct a draft? Strikethrough lets recipients see the original wording. Want to mark a list item as irrelevant? Strikethrough is perfect.
Method 1: Formatting Bar Fun
In Gmail, formatting is simple. While composing an email, find the formatting toolbar. If it’s hidden, click the “Formatting options” button. Select the text for strikethrough. Then, find the Strikethrough icon, usually an “S” with a line through it. Click it, and your text will be struck.
Method 2: Shortcut Savvy
Gmail also supports keyboard shortcuts. For Windows users, it’s Alt + Shift + X. Mac users should use Command + Shift + X. Highlight your text, use the shortcut, and apply strikethrough. It’s efficient and neat.
Text Messages (SMS): Tilde-Powered Strikethrough
Text messages usually lack strikethrough. But clever tricks exist! Tildes (~) can be your ally in messaging apps like iPhone Messages, Android Messages, Slack, and WhatsApp.
Tilde Magic
To create strikethrough with tildes, enclose your text with them. Place a tilde before and after the target word or phrase. For example, typing ~this text~ may render as
HTML: Webpage Wonders
For web developers. You can create strikethrough text in HTML…
Anyone dabbling in HTML can easily achieve strikethrough using tags.
The <s> and <del> Tags
HTML provides two tags for strikethrough: <s> and <del>. Both show text with a strikethrough but hold different meanings.
The <s> tag (“strikethrough”) is straightforward. Enclose struck text within <s> and </s> tags. For instance, <s>This text is strikethrough.</s> displays as
The <del> tag (“delete”) carries more semantic weight. It signifies text removal or irrelevance. While it visually renders with strikethrough, <del> adds context for screen readers and search engines. Use it like this: <del>This text is no longer valid.</del>, showing as
CSS: Styling Strikethrough with Precision
CSS is the solution for advanced visual control over strikethrough.
text-decoration: line-through;
With CSS, the text-decoration property provides line-through as a value. Applying text-decoration: line-through; to an element strikes through its text content. You can set this style inline, in a <style> block, or, ideally, in an external CSS file.
Create a CSS class called “strikethrough”:
.strikethrough { text-decoration: line-through; }
In HTML, apply this class to any element for strikethrough:
<span class=”strikethrough”>This text is strikethrough.</span>
This renders as
Markdown: Simplicity for Writers
Markdown, the markup language favored by writers and developers, offers strikethrough in a simple way.
Double Tilde Delight (~~)
In most Markdown setups, create strikethrough by enclosing text in double tildes (~~). Place two tildes on both ends of the text. For example, ~~This text is strikethrough.~~ shows as
This method is convenient for adding strikethrough quickly in Markdown docs, notes, or platforms that support Markdown, like Reddit and GitHub.
Outlook: Emailing with Extra Options
Microsoft Outlook, the email version of Word, supports strikethrough, though it may not be as clear as in Gmail.
Font Dialog Dive (Again!)
For strikethrough in Outlook, open the Font dialog box, similar to Word. In your email, access the Font dialog using Alt + O, then F, then N. This opens the Font dialog box. Tab through options (three times, per user feedback) until you find “Strikethrough” (and “Double strikethrough”). Select the style and hit Spacebar to check the box, then Enter to apply. It’s a roundabout way, but it works.
PowerPoint: Presentations with Punch (and Strikethrough)
PowerPoint, the presentation titan, offers strikethrough features. Need to show changes in a slide? Strikethrough can help.
Font Dialog Strikes Again (and Double Strikes!)
Like Word and Outlook, PowerPoint often uses the Font dialog for advanced formatting. To access strikethrough (and double strikethrough), select the text for formatting. Press Ctrl + T or Ctrl + Shift + F to open the Font dialog. With the dialog open, use keyboard shortcuts to select strikethrough options. Press Alt + K for “Strikethrough,” and Alt + D for “Double Strikethrough.” Finally, hit Enter or click “OK” to apply your chosen strikethrough style.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Strikethrough: Speeding Up Your Strike Game
Keyboard shortcuts enhance productivity. Memorizing key combinations saves time and keeps your workflow smooth. Here are key strikethrough shortcuts across platforms.
General Strikethrough Shortcuts
Some shortcuts are consistently used across applications.
- Ctrl + Shift + 5 (Windows): This universal shortcut works in many Windows apps, including some text editors and possibly web-based applications in Windows browsers.
- Command + Shift + X (Mac): On macOS, this strikethrough shortcut is common. Command + Shift + X works in applications like Google Docs and Gmail.
Microsoft Word Strikethrough Shortcuts
Microsoft Word offers multiple options.
- Ctrl + D, Alt + K, Enter: As noted before, this sequence opens the Font dialog, selects “Strikethrough,” and applies it. A longer method but effective.
- Ctrl + 5: A simpler toggle shortcut. Ctrl + 5 applies strikethrough to selected text, pressing it again removes it. Fast and convenient.
- Alt + Shift + 4: Another method available in Word for strikethrough.
- Ctrl + Shift + D (Double Strikethrough): For when single strikethrough lacks drama, use Ctrl + Shift + D for a double-lined deletion in Word.
Google Docs Strikethrough Shortcuts
Google Docs keeps things streamlined.
- Alt + Shift + 5 (Windows): Matches the general Windows shortcut.
- Command + Shift + X (Mac): Same as the general Mac shortcut.
Microsoft Excel Strikethrough Shortcuts
Excel’s shortcuts are straightforward.
- Ctrl + 5: Like Word, Ctrl + 5 is the main strikethrough shortcut in Excel, toggling it on and off.
- Command + Shift + X (Mac): Although Ctrl + 5 is primary in Windows Excel, Command + Shift + X may also work on Mac Excel.
Gmail Strikethrough Shortcuts
Gmail follows general shortcuts.
- Alt + Shift + X (Windows): The main shortcut for Windows Gmail strikethrough.
- Command + Shift + X (Mac): The standard Mac strikethrough shortcut is effective in Gmail on macOS.
Other Useful Shortcuts
- Ctrl + 5 (Toggle): Remember that Ctrl + 5 often toggles – pressing it once applies strikethrough, pressing it again removes it. This works well in Word and Excel and might function in other applications too.
- Alt + 0251 (Cross Symbol): For inserting a cross symbol (✗), use the Alt code Alt + 0251. Hold the Alt key and type 0251 on the number pad, then release Alt to insert the ✗ symbol.
Strikethrough Symbol and Code: Under the Hood
Occasionally, understanding the symbols and code behind strikethrough proves useful.
The Strikethrough Symbol (Visually)
Visually, strikethrough is a horizontal line cutting through the center of text. Some may use ‘X’ or forward slashes as makeshift versions, but the true strikethrough feature is the clean horizontal line.
HTML Tags and CSS for Strikethrough (Code-Level)
At the code level, HTML and CSS make strikethrough possible. Here’s a recap:
- HTML <s> and <del> Tags: These tags serve as semantic markup. <s> is for basic strikethrough while <del> indicates deleted or irrelevant text. Both tags visually render strikethrough.
- CSS text-decoration: line-through;: This property gives style control. The text-decoration: line-through; property applies strikethrough to any HTML element.
Markdown Strikethrough Code (Simple Syntax)
Markdown’s syntax for strikethrough is very simple.
- Markdown Double Tildes ~~: Use double tildes (~~text~~) for creating strikethrough in Markdown.
Alternatives to Strikethrough: When Crossing Out Isn’t Quite Right
Strikethrough is useful but isn’t always perfect. Other formatting may suit better sometimes.
Underline: Emphasis Instead of Deletion
Underlining creates a horizontal line underneath text. It emphasizes or highlights specific words. If you aim for emphasis rather than deletion, underlining might be a better fit.
X or Forward Slash: The Last Resort (or a Quick Hack)
Using an ‘X’ or a forward slash typed over text is a basic way to simulate strikethrough. It’s often found in plain text situations where proper formatting isn’t available.
Strikethrough is easy to use for quick notes. For formal papers, use proper methods. They yield better results.
More Formatting Options
There are many formatting options besides strikethrough and underline. Let’s look at some popular ones.
Bold: Stand Out (Ctrl + B)
Bold text makes words pop. Most apps let you use Ctrl + B (or Cmd + B for Mac) for this. Use bold for keywords or titles. It emphasizes crucial information.
Superscript: Text Above (Ctrl + Shift + Plus (+))
Superscript raises text above the line. It is smaller than normal text. This is often used for footnotes and exponents, like x2. In Word, use Ctrl + Shift + Plus (+) on the main keyboard.
Symbols for Quick Meaning
A symbol can often express thoughts better than words. We talked about the cross symbol (✗) as a strikethrough alternative.
Cross Symbol (✗)
Insert the cross symbol (✗) with Alt + 0251 on the Windows number pad. It marks items as wrong or completed, depending on the situation.
Strikeout in Baseball (K)
In baseball, scorekeepers use “K” for a strikeout. This is different from typographical strikethrough. It shows how one letter can represent “strikeout” in baseball.
This is your guide to strikethrough. Its history goes back to medieval times. Today, strikethrough is a helpful tool in digital text. Learn to use it well, and you will master it quickly!
