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How to strikethrough in Excel
The strikethrough function is important to know how to use in Excel. Certain things may change if you’re putting together lists or spreadsheets that track data over time. Perhaps you buy an item, or a service stops taking orders. You may want to cross out these variables. Let’s review how to strikethrough in Excel.
QUICK ANSWER
To strikethrough in Excel, select the content you wish to strikethrough. On your keyboard, press Ctrl + 5 (Windows) or Command + Shift + X (Mac).
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
How to strikethrough text in Excel
There are two primary ways to strikethrough text in Microsoft Excel. You can use the keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac or go to Font settings and find the strikethrough button.
Keyboard shortcut
To cross out anything in Excel, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + 5. This is for Windows computers; the shortcut is Command + Shift + X if you’re on a Mac.
It’s important to note that your num pad doesn’t work for the shortcut if you have an extended keyboard. You must press Ctrl, then the 5 key at the top of your keyboard.
Font settings (Ctrl + 1)
Click on the cell you wish to strikethrough.
Having selected that cell, click the Font Settings button in the bottom right of the Font section on the Home tab. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard.
Under Effects, click Strikethrough. Click OK.
Your selected cell will have its contents crossed out.
How to partially strikethrough text in Excel
Double-click the cell containing the content you wish to cross out partially.
Highlight the text within the cell you wish to strikethrough.
Press Ctrl + 5 on your keyboard if you’re on a Windows computer. If you’re on a Mac, press Command + Shift + X.
How to strikethrough text in multiple cells Excel
Highlight the cells you wish to strikethrough in your Excel spreadsheet.
Press Ctrl + 5 on your keyboard if you’re on a Windows computer. If you’re on a Mac, press Command + Shift + X.
How to add strikethrough to the Quick Access Toolbar
Adding the strikethrough function to your Quick Access Toolbar makes it much easier to access. Of course, you could always use the keyboard shortcut, but this is the way to go if you like to do everything with on-screen controls.
Right-click the ribbon area at the top. From the following options, select Show Quick Access Toolbar.
Click the downward arrow button in the Quick Access Toolbar. From the following dropdown menu, click More Commands….
Under Choose commands from, click the dropdown and select Commands Not in the Ribbon.
Scroll down and select Strikethrough. Click Add, then OK.
This will add the strikethrough button to your Quick Access Toolbar.
