Strikethrough or Cross Out Text in Google Docs (Windows or Mac)
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 1, 2024
Applies to: Google Docs® (Windows or Mac)
You can apply strikethrough to text in Google Docs to cross out or create a line through text. This is a common format to indicate that something has been removed. Although you can apply strikethrough using the Format menu, you can also use keyboard shortcuts.
Contents
In this article, we'll review 2 ways to apply strikethrough in Google Docs:
- Use a keyboard shortcut to apply strikethrough (or remove it)
- Use the Format menu to apply strikethrough (or remove it)
Strikethrough is a character format that can be applied to text in a Google Docs file where a line appears through the selected text (users often ask how to draw a line through text). If strikethrough is applied as a format, it can be removed easily.
It's common to use strikethrough in legal documents and reports to indicate that parts of the document have been removed. It's also common to use strikethrough in task lists or to do lists to indicate that a task has been completed (alternatively, you could use check boxes in Google Docs).
In the following example, a To Do list has been created with items that have been completed using strikethrough formatting:
Strikethrough is also used in different applications when Track Changes is turned on. In this case, the Track Changes feature may apply strikethrough automatically if text is deleted. In Google Docs, you can select the Pen in the toolbar and then select Suggesting from the drop-down menu. Track Changes will then be turned on. Deleted text would appear with a green strikethrough line when editing in Suggesting mode. In this article, we'll focus on applying strikethrough as a format.
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First, you will need to log in to your Google Drive account and open a Google Doc file where you want to apply strikethrough.
1. Use a keyboard shortcut to apply strikethrough (or remove it)
You can use shortcuts to strikethrough text in Google Docs.
To apply strikethrough using a keyboard shortcut on a Windows PC:
- Select the text in the Google Docs document you want to strikethrough.
- Press Alt + Shift + 5.
To apply strikethrough using a keyboard shortcut on a Mac:
- Select the text in the Google Docs document you want to strikethrough.
- Press Command + Shift + X (⌘ + Shift + X).
If this doesn't work, you may have a Chrome extension that is interfering with the shortcut.
You can use the same shortcuts to remove strikethrough.
2. Use the Format menu to apply strikethrough (or remove it)
To apply strikethrough using the Format menu:
- Select the text in the Google Docs document you want to strikethrough.
- Click Format in the menu and then select Text. A sub-menu appears.
- Select Strikethrough.
Below is the Format menu with Text selected:
It is NOT recommended to draw a line on top of text as it is difficult to manage the line since it is a drawing object.
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More resources
How to Add Audio in Google Slides
How to Change Margins in Google Docs (2 Ways)
How to Do a Hanging Indent in Google Docs (3 Ways)
How to Superscript in Google Docs (Mac or Windows)
How to Strikethrough Text in Microsoft Word (with Shortcuts)
How to Insert or Type the Degree Symbol in Google Docs (4 Ways)
Related courses
Microsoft Word: Intermediate / Advanced
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