Apply or Remove Strikethrough in PowerPoint (4 Ways)

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated March 12, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)

You can apply strikethrough to text in PowerPoint to cross out or create a line through text. This can be effective to show that something has been removed or deleted. Although you can cross out text using Strikethrough on the Home tab in the Ribbon or the Font dialog box, you can also use keyboard shortcuts or add a button to the Quick Access Toolbar.

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Applying or removing strikethrough using the Ribbon

Strikethrough is a character format that can be applied to text where a line appears through the selected text. Because it's a format, it can be removed easily. The most common way to apply strikethrough is to use the Strikethrough button on the Ribbon.

To apply strikethrough:

  1. Select the text you want to strikethrough.
  2. Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
  3. Click Strikethrough in the Font group.

The Strikethrough button appears as an ab with a line through it:

Strikethrough button on the Home tab in the Ribbon in PowerPoint.

To remove strikethrough:

  1. Select the text with the strikethrough you want to remove.
  2. Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
  3. Click Strikethrough in the Font group.

Applying or removing strikethrough using the Font dialog box

You can also use the Font dialog box to apply or remove Strikethrough.

To apply strikethrough:

  1. Select the text you want to strikethrough.
  2. Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
  3. Click the dialog box launcher on the bottom right of the Font group (corner button). A dialog box appears.
  4. Select or check Strikethrough. You can also select Double Strikethrough.
  5. Click OK or press Enter.

Below is the Font dialog box:

Strikethrough in the Font dialog box in PowerPoint.

To remove strikethrough:

  1. Select the text with the strikethrough you want to remove.
  2. Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
  3. Click the dialog box launcher on the bottom right of the Font group (corner button). A dialog box appears.
  4. Select or check Strikethrough. You can also select Double Strikethrough.
  5. Click OK or press Enter.

Applying or removing strikethrough using keyboard shortcuts

You can also apply or remove strikethrough using keyboard shortcuts.

To apply strikethrough:

  1. Select the text you want to strikethrough.
  2. Press Ctrl + T or Ctrl + Shift + F. The Font dialog box appears.
  3. Press Alt + K to select Strikethrough (press Alt + underlined character).
  4. Press Enter.

Use the same process to remove strikethrough.

Adding strikethrough to the Quick Access Toolbar

If you use Strikethrough frequently, you may want to add it to PowerPoint's Quick Access Toolbar.

It's usually easier to work with the Quick Access Toolbar if you display it below the Ribbon. If the Quick Access Toolbar is above the Ribbon, click the down arrow to the right of the Quick Access Toolbar and select Show Below the Ribbon from the drop-down menu.

To add Strikethrough to the Quick Access Toolbar by right-clicking:

  1. Right-click Strikethrough in the Font group on the Home tab in the Ribbon. A drop-down menu appears.
  2. Select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.

To add Strikethrough to the Quick Access Toolbar using the PowerPoint Options dialog box:

  1. Click the down arrow to the right of the Quick Access Toolbar and select More commands from the drop-down menu. The Options dialog box appears.
  2. In the menu below Choose commands from, select All Commands.
  3. In the list of commands on the left, click Strikethrough.
  4. Click Add.
  5. Click OK.

You will now be able to apply or remove strikethrough by clicking Strikethrough on the Quick Access Toolbar.

In the PowerPoint Options dialog box below, Strikethrough has been added to the commands on the right:

Options dialog box in PowerPoint with Strikethrough button added to the Quick Access Toolbar.

You can add many other useful commands to the Quick Access Toolbar in PowerPoint using this method.

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Summary
How to Strikethrough or Cross Out Text in PowerPoint (4 Ways with Shortcuts)
Article Name
How to Strikethrough or Cross Out Text in PowerPoint (4 Ways with Shortcuts)
Description
You can apply strikethrough to cross out or create a line through text using PowerPoint commands or keyboard shortcuts. Strikethrough can be effective to show that something has been removed or deleted. You can even add a Strikethrough button to the Quick Access Toolbar.
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Avantix Learning

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