Strikethrough Shortcut In Excel: 5 Methods

Have you ever been working in Excel and wanted to cross out something without deleting it?

Maybe you’ve finished a task on your to-do list, updated a price, or simply want to show that some data is no longer relevant, but you still need to keep it visible.

That’s where strikethrough comes in handy.

Strikethrough is a simple formatting option that draws a line through text or numbers, giving your spreadsheet a cleaner, more organized look.

And the best part? You don’t need to dig through endless menus to find it. 

Knowing the right strikethrough shortcut in Excel can save you time and make managing data a whole lot easier.

In this article, you’ll learn five easy ways to apply strikethrough in Excel — whether you prefer using quick keyboard shortcuts, menus, or even automating the process.

Why use strikethrough in Excel?

You might be wondering, “Why not just delete the data instead?” Well, there are times when completely removing data isn’t the best move.

Strikethrough gives you a clear visual cue while keeping the original information intact.

Here are a few common uses:

• Mark completed tasks in a checklist without losing the original list.
• Track outdated prices or inventory while keeping past numbers visible.
• Highlight changes during reviews or audits.

Wouldn’t it be easier to keep everything organized while still showing what’s finished or irrelevant? That’s exactly what strikethrough helps you do.

Now, let’s dive into the five simple methods you can use to add strikethrough to your Excel spreadsheets.

Method 1.: The classic keyboard shortcut

If you’re all about speed, this is the method for you. The fastest way to add strikethrough is by using a simple keyboard shortcut.

Steps:

1. Select the cell or text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Ctrl + 5 on Windows or Cmd + Shift + X on Mac.
3. Done! Your text will now have a line through it.

To remove the strikethrough, press the same keys again; it toggles on and off.

Tip: If you use this often, keep one hand near the Ctrl key so you can quickly apply the shortcut without breaking your flow.

How many times have you wanted to mark something as “done” without clicking through menus?

Once you get used to this shortcut, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Method 2.: Using the format cells menu

Not a fan of memorizing shortcuts? No problem! You can access the strikethrough option through Excel’s Format Cells menu.

Steps:

1. Select the cell or text you want to format.
2. Right-click and choose Format Cells.
3. In the pop-up window, go to the Font tab.
4. Check the box next to Strikethrough.
5. Click OK to apply.

This method works well if you’re already in the formatting window making other changes like bold, italic, or font size adjustments.

Even if you don’t use the strikethrough shortcut in Excel, this method is reliable and easy to remember, especially for beginners.

Method 3.: Adding a strikethrough button to the quick access toolbar

Do you prefer clicking instead of memorizing shortcuts? You can add a strikethrough button to your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) for one-click access.

Steps:

1. Look at the very top of your Excel window for the Quick Access Toolbar.
2. Click the small downward arrow on the right side of the toolbar.
3. Select More Commands from the menu.
4. In the new window, choose Commands Not in the Ribbon from the dropdown list.
5. Scroll to find Strikethrough, then click Add.
6. Press OK to save changes.

Now, you’ll have a handy strikethrough icon at the top of Excel, just click it whenever you need to cross something out!

Pro tip: This is especially useful if you share your computer with someone else or train new team members, as they don’t have to remember any keyboard combos.

Method 4.: Creating a custom keyboard shortcut

While Ctrl + 5 works perfectly fine, some people prefer a custom shortcut that’s easier to remember or fits their workflow better.

Excel doesn’t let you directly change default shortcuts, but you can create your own using a macro.

Steps:

1. Enable the Developer tab:
   • Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
   • Check the box for Developer, then click OK.
2. On the Developer tab, click Record Macro.
3. Name your macro (e.g., “StrikethroughMacro”).
4. Assign a shortcut key, like Ctrl + Shift + S.
5. While recording, go to Format Cells > Font tab > Strikethrough, then click OK.
6. Stop recording.

Now, you’ve got a personalized shortcut! Whenever you press your custom key combo, it will instantly apply strikethrough to the selected cell.

Wouldn’t it be cool to have your own unique shortcut that no one else has? This is perfect for power users who rely on strikethrough constantly.

Method 5.: Using conditional formatting for automatic strikethrough

Here’s where things get really interesting.

Instead of manually applying strikethrough, you can set up Excel to automatically do it based on certain conditions. 

This is perfect for to-do lists, budgets, or inventory sheets.

Example: Automatically strikethrough a task when the status is marked as “Done.”

Steps:

1. Select the range of cells you want to format.
2. Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule.
3. Choose Use a formula to determine which cells to format.

Enter a formula, such as: =$B2="Done"

4.  (Replace “B2” with the appropriate cell reference for your sheet.)
5. Click Format, check Strikethrough, then press OK twice.

Now, anytime the word “Done” appears in column B, the related task will automatically get crossed out.

This advanced option goes beyond a basic strikethrough shortcut in Excel, giving you automated formatting that feels almost magical.

Which methods work on different Excel versions

The good news is that most strikethrough options work across all major Excel versions.

However, there are a few small differences to note:

• Excel 2013, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365:
  • The Ctrl + 5 shortcut is exactly the same.
  • Menus and icons may look slightly different, but the steps remain similar.
• Excel for Mac:
  • Use Cmd + Shift + X instead of Ctrl + 5.
  • The Quick Access Toolbar may have fewer customization options compared to Windows.
• Excel Online:
  • Strikethrough is available, but some custom features like macros or personalized shortcuts don’t work in the web version.
  • You can still use the Format Cells menu.

Knowing which version you’re working with ensures you don’t waste time searching for a feature that might not exist.

When to use vs. when to avoid strikethrough

Strikethrough is a helpful tool, but like any formatting option, it’s best used with intention.

When to use it:

• Task lists to visually mark items as completed.
• Tracking outdated numbers, like old prices or inventory counts.
• Reviewing changes during team collaborations or audits.

When to avoid it:

• If your sheet already has too much formatting (it can look messy).
• When you need a polished, final report for clients or upper management.
• Consider alternatives like using color-coding or adding a “Status” column instead.

Troubleshooting: When strikethrough doesn’t work

Sometimes, strikethrough might not work as expected.

Here are a few quick fixes:

• Shortcut not working?
  • Make sure Num Lock isn’t interfering with your keyboard.
  • Try selecting the text inside the cell instead of the entire cell.
  • Check for conflicts with custom keyboard shortcuts from add-ins.
• Formatting disappears after saving?
  • Save your file as .xlsx instead of .csv, which doesn’t support formatting.
• Conditional formatting rule isn’t applying?
  • Double-check your formula and make sure the cell references are correct.
  • Ensure the rule applies to the correct range of cells.

FAQs about strikethrough in Excel

1. What is the shortcut for strikethrough in Excel on Windows and Mac?

• Windows: Ctrl + 5
• Mac: Cmd + Shift + X

2. Why doesn’t the strikethrough shortcut work on my computer?
It might be due to conflicting shortcuts, Num Lock being on, or an outdated version of Excel. Try restarting Excel or checking your keyboard settings.

3. Can I apply strikethrough to just part of the text in a cell?
Yes! Double-click inside the cell, highlight the specific text, then press the shortcut or use Format Cells.

4. Is there a strikethrough shortcut in Excel Online?
No direct shortcut, but you can still use the Format Cells menu or apply strikethrough through the ribbon.

5. How do I quickly remove all strikethrough formatting in a worksheet?
Use the Find & Select > Replace tool and replace formatting settings to clear strikethrough all at once.

Bonus tips for working with strikethrough

• Combine strikethrough with bold or italic text to make your updates even clearer.
• Use strikethrough to track changes without permanently deleting data.
• Avoid overusing strikethrough; too many crossed-out items can make your sheet hard to read.

Conclusion

To recap, here are the five methods we covered:

1. Keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + 5 or Cmd + Shift + X)
2. Format Cells menu
3. Quick Access Toolbar button
4. Custom shortcut using macros
5. Conditional formatting for automation

Whether you stick to the simple strikethrough shortcut in Excel or explore advanced options like conditional formatting, you now have plenty of ways to keep your spreadsheets neat and organized.

So, which method are you most excited to try first?

Play around with these techniques and find the one that fits your workflow best — your future self will thank you for it!