Crossing out text in Word is a nifty trick that can come in handy when you want to show edits or changes without deleting text completely. To strike through text in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to cross out. Then, head over to the "Home" tab on the Word ribbon and click on the strikethrough button, which looks like a capital "A" with a line through it. And voilà! Your selected text will now have a line through it, indicating it’s been crossed out without disappearing altogether.
How to Cross Out Text in Word
In this section, you’ll learn how to cross out text in Word using simple steps. This process will guide you through selecting text, using the strikethrough feature, and customizing it to fit your needs.
Step 1: Select the Text
Highlight the portion of text in your document that you want to cross out.
Selecting text is as easy as clicking and dragging your mouse over the words. If you’re using a keyboard, hold down the Shift key while using the arrow keys to select your text. This sets the stage for applying the strikethrough effect.
Step 2: Navigate to the Home Tab
Click the "Home" tab located at the top of your Word document.
The Home tab is where all the basic text formatting options live. It’s the go-to place for changing font styles, sizes, and, of course, adding special text effects like strikethrough.
Step 3: Click the Strikethrough Button
In the Font group, click the strikethrough button, which appears as an "A" with a line through it.
Once you’ve clicked this button, your selected text will instantly transform to have a line crossing through it. This visual cue is perfect for showing revisions or highlighting text that is meant to be ignored.
Step 4: Customize if Needed
If you want more options, click the small arrow in the Font group to open the Font dialog box, where you can find additional text effects.
The Font dialog box allows for more nuanced text customization. Here, you can apply double strikethrough, change font colors, or adjust text size to better suit your document’s style.
Step 5: Deselect the Text
Click anywhere outside the selected text to deselect it, confirming your changes.
This final step is a simple click away. By deselecting, you solidify your formatting changes and can continue editing other parts of your document.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the text you selected will have a line through it, making it clear that it’s not active text in your document. This technique is useful when editing drafts, making notes, or collaborating on projects where changes need to be tracked visually.
Tips for Crossing Out Text in Word
- Keyboard Shortcut: Use Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog box quickly, where you can find the strikethrough option.
- Double Strikethrough: For extra emphasis, opt for the double strikethrough in the Font dialog box.
- Track Changes: Use Word’s Track Changes feature alongside strikethrough for clear document revisions.
- Custom Styles: Save your favorite strikethrough style as a custom Quick Style for easier access.
- Using Shortcuts: Customize your own keyboard shortcut for strikethrough by going to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply strikethrough to multiple lines of text?
Yes, simply highlight all the lines you want to cross out and click the strikethrough button.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for strikethrough?
While Word does not have a default shortcut, you can create your own in the Customize Ribbon settings.
Can I use strikethrough in Word Online?
Yes, the strikethrough feature is available in Word Online. It can be accessed in the same way as the desktop version.
How do I remove strikethrough from text?
Reselect the text and click the strikethrough button again to remove the effect.
Can I change the color of the strikethrough line?
The strikethrough line itself can’t change color, but you can change the text color for a similar effect.
Summary
- Select text.
- Navigate to Home tab.
- Click strikethrough button.
- Customize in Font dialog.
- Deselect text.
Conclusion
Crossing out text in Word is more than just a fun feature—it’s a powerful tool for communication and collaboration. Whether you’re a student proofreading a term paper, a novelist revising your latest chapter, or a business professional preparing a report, the strikethrough function keeps your process transparent and your documents organized. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can easily strike through text to highlight edits and suggestions without losing the original wording.
If you want to dive deeper into Word’s formatting capabilities, consider exploring other features like Track Changes, comments, and styling options. Each tool offers a unique way to enhance your documents, making them more effective and visually appealing.
And if you haven’t tried it yet, give crossing out text in Word a shot. Once you master this handy trick, you’ll wonder how you ever managed your documents without it. Ready to take your Word skills to the next level? Why not explore creating custom templates or learning about macros to automate your tasks? After all, the more tools at your disposal, the more dynamic your document creation can be.
Matthew Young has been writing tutorials about Microsoft Word and other Office applications for many years. His writing can be found on dozens of websites.