How to Strike Through Text in Google Docs

Published 25 July 2026

How to strike through text in Google Docs sets the stage for this comprehensive guide that offers hands-on advice on using the feature, along with real-world examples of how it can be applied to various document styles. With so many formatting options at our disposal, it's easy to overlook the simple yet effective strike-through function in Google Docs, but once you understand its capabilities, you'll want to give it a try.

In Google Docs, you can apply the strike-through function to text in a matter of seconds by selecting the text you want to modify, then using the keyboard shortcut or accessing the Format menu to make the change. While the process itself is straightforward, there's more to using strike-through text in Google Docs than just applying it: you'll also want to customize the appearance, understand its applications, and learn how to use it in conjunction with other formatting elements.

Striking through text in Google Docs

Striking through text in Google Docs is a simple yet powerful feature that can help you convey your message effectively. Whether you're editing a document or creating a new one, striking through text can be a great way to show that you're making changes or highlighting important information. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps involved in inserting a strikethrough text in Google Docs.

Step 1: Select the Text

To strike through text in Google Docs, start by selecting the text that you want to strike through. You can do this by clicking and dragging your mouse over the text. Once the text is selected, you'll see that the text is highlighted in the document.

Step 2: Apply Strikethrough Formatting

Now that the text is selected, it's time to apply the strikethrough formatting. To do this, click on the "Format" tab at the top of the Google Docs interface. From the dropdown menu, select "Text" and then click on "Strikethrough." Alternatively, you can also press Ctrl + Strike-Through (Windows) or Command + Strike-Through (Mac) on your keyboard.

The selected text should now have a strikethrough line through it. You can also use the keyboard shortcut to apply the strikethrough formatting directly to the selected text.

Step 3: Customize the Strikethrough Style

For example, you can choose to have a thicker strikethrough line or change the color to a different shade.

Benefits of Using Strikethrough Text in Google Docs

*

• You want to show that you've edited or revised a sentence or paragraph, but you don't want to delete the original text.
• When presenting a list of options or ideas, striking through text can help highlight the selected options or decisions.
• Use strikethrough text to indicate that a particular item or text is no longer relevant or accurate.
• Strike through text can also be used when you're creating a to-do list or a checklist, and you want to indicate that an item is complete or not relevant anymore.

Formatting Strikethrough Text in Google Docs

Customizing Font, Color, and Size

• Change the font: You can choose from a wide range of fonts available in Google Docs. This is particularly useful when working with strikethrough text in documents that require a specific font style for emphasis or branding.
• Use Colors: Change the text color to make it stand out, but be cautious not to use colors that are too dark or too light, as this can make the text difficult to read.
• Adjust the Font size: Strikethrough text can be more effective when used in conjunction with larger or smaller font sizes. This can also help draw attention to important information.

However, be cautious not to overdo it, as this may make the text difficult to read or look unprofessional.

Uniform Look and Feel Across an Entire Document, How to strike through text in google docs

• Use a Specific font size: Stick to a single font size throughout the document to maintain consistency.
• Choose a Specific font: Select a font that is easy to read and suitable for the content of your document.
• Use a Neutral color: Select a color that is not distracting or overwhelming, but still helps the text stand out.

"Consistency is key to effective communication. When using strikethrough text, it's essential to maintain a consistent formatting style to avoid confusing or overwhelming your readers."

Strikethrough text in Google Docs vs. Microsoft Word: Comparison and Contrast: How To Strike Through Text In Google Docs

When it comes to inserting strikethrough text, Google Docs and Microsoft Word have distinct approaches. In Google Docs, you can access the strikethrough option by clicking on the 'Format' tab and then selecting 'Text' followed by 'Strikethrough'. On the other hand, in Microsoft Word, you can find the strikethrough option under the 'Home' tab and then clicking on the 'Font' group where you'll find the strikethrough button.

User Interface Comparison

Differences in Formatting Options

Advantages and Disadvantages

1. Google Docs advantages:
• Easier to access the strikethrough option under the 'Format' tab in Google Docs.
• Supports strike-through format for headings.
• Faster response time when interacting with the document.
2. Google Docs disadvantages:
• Not as intuitive for users familiar with Microsoft Word.
• Less flexibility in terms of font sizes and styles for strike-through text.
3. Microsoft Word advantages:
• Intuitive interface for users familiar with Microsoft Word.
• More flexibility in terms of font sizes and styles for strike-through text.
4. Microsoft Word disadvantages:
• Requires more steps to access the strikethrough option under the 'Home' tab.
• Not supported for heading text.

Using Strikethrough Text in Google Docs for Revision and Editing

Using strikethrough text for tracking revisions and feedback is a game-changer. It allows you to visually distinguish between changes, making it easier to see what's new, what's been updated, and what's still a work in progress. This benefits both collaborators and editors, as it:

- Reduces confusion and errors by clearly highlighting changes

A Systematic Approach to Using Strikethrough Text

- Step 1: Identify the type of revision

Communicating Changes to Collaborators

- When working on a document with a team, establish a clear understanding of how to use strikethrough text

Additional Tips and Tricks

Organizing and customizing strikethrough text in Google Docs

Organizing strikethrough text using tables

1. Open your Google Doc and click on the table icon to create a new table.
2. Select the cell where you want to insert the strikethrough text.
3. Go to the "Format" tab and select "Text" from the dropdown menu.
4. Choose "Strikethrough" from the text formatting options to strike through the text in the selected cell.

Formatting strikethrough text with blockquotes

1. Highlight the text you want to format with a blockquote.
2. Go to the "Format" tab and select "Blockquote" from the dropdown menu.
3. Choose the alignment for the blockquote, such as left, center, or right.

Aligning text within tables and blockquotes

• Left alignment: Left alignment is the default alignment for text in Google Docs. However, you can still use it to align text within tables and blockquotes.
• Center alignment: Center alignment is useful for headers and titles, and can add a touch of style to your document.
• Right alignment: Right alignment is useful for creating blockquotes and separating quotes from the main text.

Mastering the use of strikethrough text in Google Docs for advanced document creation

Strikethrough text can be a powerful tool for adding depth and nuance to your writing. Imagine being able to highlight the mistakes in a proofreading session, or emphasize the importance of a certain point in an argumentative essay. By combining strikethrough text with other formatting options, you can create a visual hierarchy that draws the reader's eye to the most important information.

Applying Strikethrough Text to Specific Characters, Words, or Phrases

• Highlight the text you want to apply the strikethrough to by clicking and dragging your cursor over it.
• From the toolbar, select the strikethrough option (represented by a strikethrough symbol or a tilde (~)).
• Choose the strikethrough style you want to apply, such as a single line or a double line.
• Click "Apply" to apply the strikethrough style to the highlighted text.

Integrating Strikethrough Text with Other Google Docs Features

• Using headings and subheadings to organize your text is a great way to create a clear structure for your document. By combining headings with strikethrough text, you can emphasize certain points and create a visual hierarchy that draws the reader's eye to the most important information.

• To integrate strikethrough text with other formatting options, such as bold and italic, you can use the "Format" dropdown menu. From here, you can select "Text" and then choose the strikethrough style you want to apply.

• Using tables to organize your text is also a great way to create a clear and concise document. By combining tables with strikethrough text, you can highlight errors and create a visual hierarchy that makes your data stand out.

Concluding Remarks

By mastering the strike-through function in Google Docs and using it as part of a broader document strategy, you can add a new level of depth to your writing, improve the visual flow of your documents, and make your communication more effective. We hope you've found this step-by-step guide helpful, and that you'll put the strike-through technique to good use in all your future writing projects.

Essential Questionnaire

How do I remove the strike-through text once it's been applied?

Once you've applied the strike-through text to a piece of text, you can easily remove it by selecting the text and pressing the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + 5 (Windows, Linux) or Command + 5 (Mac), or by accessing the Format menu and choosing Remove formatting. Alternatively, you can simply select the text and press Ctrl + A (Windows, Linux) or Command + A (Mac) to clear the formatting.

Can I customize the font and color of the strike-through text?

Yes, you can customize the font and color of strike-through text by changing the settings within the Format menu in Google Docs. Once you've applied the strike-through function, you can select the text and change the font, size, color, and more using the options available in the Format menu. You can also use the Format painter tool to apply these changes across multiple paragraphs.