How to Strikethrough on Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

how to strikethrough on google docs

Have you ever found yourself working on a document and wishing there was an easy way to cross out text without deleting it completely? I remember the first time I stumbled upon the strikethrough feature in Google Docs—it was during a group project where ideas were flying back and forth. Instead of deleting our initial thoughts, we used strikethrough to keep track of the changes and ensure nothing important got lost. It was like discovering a secret tool that made collaboration much smoother and less stressful. If you’ve ever wondered how to use this feature, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the steps and why strikethrough can be such a game-changer for your productivity.

Why Use Strikethrough in Google Docs?

Strikethrough is more than just a quirky formatting option. It’s a practical tool that offers numerous benefits:

  1. Transparency in Collaboration: During team projects, strikethrough lets you show edits without completely removing the original text. This keeps everyone on the same page, literally and figuratively.
  2. Preserving Ideas: Sometimes, you’re not ready to let go of an idea. Strikethrough allows you to mark it as less relevant without erasing it entirely, leaving room for future reference.
  3. Task Management: In to-do lists, striking through completed items provides a satisfying visual indicator of progress.
  4. Enhanced Communication: Strikethrough can serve as a non-verbal cue, showing suggestions or tentative edits without making permanent changes. This is especially useful in collaborative editing.

Whether you’re working on a solo project, collaborating with a team, or organizing your tasks, mastering the strikethrough feature can simplify your workflow and improve clarity.

How to Strikethrough on Google Docs

Here’s a step-by-step guide for both desktop and mobile users:

1. Using Strikethrough on a Desktop

Step 1: Open Your Document

  • Launch Google Docs and open the document where you want to use strikethrough.
  • For new documents, click on the “Blank” option. For existing files, locate them in your Google Drive or upload them if stored locally.

Step 2: Highlight the Text

  • Click and drag your cursor over the text you want to strikethrough. You can select a single word, a sentence, or even an entire paragraph.

Step 3: Apply Strikethrough

  • Go to the menu bar and click on Format.
  • Hover over Text in the dropdown menu.
  • Select Strikethrough from the options.

Shortcut Option: If you’re a fan of shortcuts (and who isn’t?), here’s how to quickly apply strikethrough:

  • For Windows: Press Alt + Shift + 5 simultaneously.
  • For Mac: Press Command + Shift + X simultaneously.

These shortcuts are especially handy for repetitive tasks or quick edits.

2. Using Strikethrough on a Mobile Device

Step 1: Open Your Document

Step 2: Select the Text

  • Tap and hold on the text to bring up the selection tool.
  • Adjust the blue markers to highlight the range of text you want to strikethrough.

Step 3: Access Formatting Options

  • Tap the A icon (Format) in the upper menu bar to open the formatting options.
  • Navigate to the Text tab.

Step 4: Apply Strikethrough

  • Scroll through the options and tap Strikethrough. If you don’t see it immediately, check for additional formatting tools by expanding the menu.

Tips for Using Strikethrough Effectively

Strikethrough is more than a cosmetic feature—it’s a powerful tool when used strategically. Here are some tips to get the most out of it:

  1. Combine Strikethrough with Comments
    • When collaborating, use the comment feature alongside strikethrough to explain why certain text is marked out. For example, you could strikethrough a sentence and leave a comment like, “Let’s rephrase this for clarity.”
  2. Visual To-Do Lists
    • Use strikethrough in your to-do lists to mark completed tasks. It’s a satisfying way to track progress while keeping the original list intact for reference.
  3. Color Coding for Clarity
    • Pair strikethrough with color coding to organize edits. For instance, use red text with strikethrough for deletions, green for suggestions, and blue for finalized edits. This adds clarity, especially in documents with multiple contributors.
  4. Brainstorming Tool
    • During brainstorming sessions, use strikethrough to mark ideas that aren’t immediately relevant but might be worth revisiting. This ensures you don’t lose any valuable input while maintaining focus on the current discussion.
  5. Editorial Workflows
    • Writers and editors can use strikethrough to distinguish between sections to keep, revise, or discard. It’s an efficient way to manage content during the drafting process.

Common Questions About Strikethrough

  1. What is the shortcut for strikethrough?
  • On Windows: Alt + Shift + 5
  • On Mac: Command + Shift + X
  1. What does Ctrl + N do in Google Docs?
  • Pressing Ctrl + N opens a new blank document in Google Docs. It’s a quick way to start fresh without navigating through the main menu.
  1. What is Ctrl + Alt + M in Google Docs?
  • Pressing Ctrl + Alt + M (or Command + Option + M on Mac) adds a comment to the document. This shortcut is invaluable for collaboration, allowing you to insert feedback or suggestions without disrupting the text flow.

Mastering Strikethrough in Google Docs

Learning how to strikethrough on Google Docs is a simple yet impactful skill that can elevate your productivity. Whether you’re revising drafts, managing tasks, or collaborating with a team, this feature offers a clean and effective way to organize your work.

For me, strikethrough has become a go-to tool for tracking changes and preserving ideas during brainstorming sessions. It’s one of those features that seems minor at first but quickly becomes indispensable once you start using it.

So, the next time you’re working on a document, give strikethrough a try. You might just find that crossing something out feels surprisingly satisfying—and incredibly useful. With the steps and tips outlined here, you’re well on your way to mastering this versatile feature in Google Docs.