Mastering the Shortcut for Strikethrough: Your Ultimate Guide

Strikethrough is a versatile formatting tool used across various applications to indicate completed tasks, deletions, or revisions. Knowing the shortcut for strikethrough can significantly enhance your efficiency, whether you are working in Excel, Google Docs, Word, or other platforms. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the shortcuts for strikethrough in different applications and operating systems, helping you streamline your workflow.

Introduction to Strikethrough

Strikethrough formatting involves drawing a horizontal line through the center of text. It’s commonly used to signify that a particular piece of text is no longer relevant or has been completed. While you can apply strikethrough manually using toolbar options, learning the keyboard shortcuts can save you a considerable amount of time, especially if you frequently need to mark items as done or obsolete.

Shortcut for Strikethrough in Excel

Excel is a widely used tool for data analysis and management. Applying strikethrough in Excel can help you keep track of completed tasks or outdated information without deleting it. Here’s how you can use the shortcut for strikethrough in Excel:

Windows:

1. Select the cell or text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Ctrl + 5.

Mac:

1. Select the cell or text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Cmd + Shift + X.

Using these shortcuts allows you to quickly update your data and keep your spreadsheets organized.

Shortcut for Strikethrough in Google Docs

Google Docs is an essential tool for collaboration and document creation. Knowing the shortcut for strikethrough in Google Docs can be incredibly useful when you need to edit or revise shared documents. Here’s how to do it:

Windows:

1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Alt + Shift + 5.

Mac:

1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Cmd + Shift + X.

These shortcuts make it easy to apply strikethrough formatting without interrupting your workflow.

Shortcut for Strikethrough in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a staple for document creation. The shortcut for strikethrough in Word can help you efficiently manage your text and revisions. Here’s how to use it:

Windows:

1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog box, then select Strikethrough.
3. Alternatively, use Ctrl + Shift + K directly.

Mac:

1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Cmd + Shift + X.

These shortcuts provide a quick way to apply strikethrough formatting, keeping your documents clear and organized.

Shortcut for Strikethrough on Mac

Mac users can benefit from a universal shortcut for strikethrough that works across most applications. This consistency makes it easy to remember and use, regardless of the software:

1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Cmd + Shift + X.

This shortcut is applicable in Google Docs, Word, Excel, and other text editing applications, providing a seamless experience.

Keyboard Shortcut for Strikethrough in Excel on Mac

For Mac users working specifically in Excel, the process remains consistent with other Mac applications:

1. Select the cell or text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Cmd + Shift + X.

This consistency across Mac applications ensures that you can efficiently apply strikethrough formatting without having to remember different shortcuts for different software.

Exploring Strikethrough in Other Applications

While Excel, Google Docs, and Word are some of the most common applications where strikethrough is used, other software also supports this formatting option. Knowing the relevant shortcuts for these applications can further enhance your productivity.

OneNote:

OneNote is a popular tool for note-taking and organization. To apply strikethrough in OneNote:

• Windows: Press Ctrl + -.
• Mac: Use Cmd + Shift + X.

Outlook:

When composing emails in Outlook, you might find strikethrough useful for editing drafts or highlighting changes:

• Windows: Press Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog box, then select Strikethrough.
• Mac: Use Cmd + Shift + X.

Customizing Your Shortcuts

Many applications allow you to customize keyboard shortcuts to better fit your workflow. This feature can be particularly useful if the default shortcuts are not intuitive for you. Here’s how you can customize shortcuts in some common applications:

Google Docs:

1. Go to Tools > Preferences.
2. Select Substitutions.
3. Enter your preferred shortcut for strikethrough.

Excel:

1. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
2. Click Customize next to Keyboard shortcuts.
3. Find and set your preferred shortcut for strikethrough.

Why Use Strikethrough?

Strikethrough is not just a visual formatting tool; it has practical applications that can enhance your document management:

• Task Management: Use strikethrough to mark completed tasks in lists, ensuring you keep track of what’s done and what still needs attention.
• Editing and Revising: When editing documents, use strikethrough to indicate text that should be removed or revised, maintaining a clear record of changes.
• Communication: In collaborative documents, strikethrough can help indicate suggestions or revisions without deleting the original text, providing context for other collaborators.

Conclusion

Mastering the shortcut for strikethrough across various platforms can significantly boost your productivity and efficiency. Whether you are using Excel, Google Docs, Word, or other applications, these shortcuts provide a quick and easy way to apply strikethrough formatting. By incorporating these shortcuts into your daily routine, you can streamline your tasks, keep your documents organized, and manage your workflow more effectively. Practice these shortcuts regularly to become more proficient, and consider customizing them to best suit your needs. Happy strikethrough-ing!