Striking through text in Microsoft Word is a simple yet effective way to visually convey changes or emphasize what’s no longer relevant. To do this, select the text you want to alter, click the “Home” tab, and choose the strikethrough button in the Font group. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you feel confident using this feature.
Tutorial – How to Strikethrough in Word
Striking through text in Word can make your documents more dynamic and help you communicate changes clearly. Follow these steps to master this feature.
Step 1: Open Your Document
First, open the Word document where you want to apply strikethrough.
Ensure your document is saved to avoid losing any changes. This step is crucial if you’re working on something important.
Step 2: Select the Text
Next, highlight the text you wish to strikethrough.
Make sure you select the text accurately, as this will be modified with the strikethrough effect.
Step 3: Go to the Home Tab
Navigate to the “Home” tab at the top of the screen.
This tab is where you’ll find most formatting options, including the strikethrough feature.
Step 4: Click the Strikethrough Button
Find and click on the strikethrough button in the Font group, represented by “abc” with a line through it.
This action immediately applies the strikethrough effect to your selected text, making it stand out as intended.
Step 5: Save Your Document
Finally, save your document to keep your changes.
Regular saving can prevent any mishaps, especially if you’re juggling multiple edits.
Once you’ve completed these steps, your selected text will have a strikethrough, indicating it’s been struck through. This visual change helps in editing, brainstorming, or emphasizing removed items.
Tips for Using Strikethrough in Word
- Use strikethrough to show deleted text during revisions. It’s a great way to keep track of changes.
- Combine with other text effects, such as bold or italics, to make a strong statement.
- Use the keyboard shortcut (Alt + H + 4) after highlighting text for quicker access.
- Be cautious about overusing it, which can make documents cluttered.
- Customize the strikethrough style by adjusting font settings for different looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove strikethrough in Word?
Simply highlight the text and click the strikethrough button again to toggle it off.
Can I strikethrough multiple sections at once?
Yes, highlight multiple sections, then apply strikethrough.
Is there a way to change the strikethrough color?
No, strikethrough will be the same color as your text. Change the font color to alter it.
Can I use strikethrough in Word for Mac?
Yes, the process is the same: highlight the text, go to the Home tab, and click the strikethrough button.
Are there different types of strikethroughs?
Word primarily offers a single line, but you can use double strikethrough by accessing Font settings.
Summary
- Open your document.
- Select the text.
- Go to the Home tab.
- Click the strikethrough button.
- Save your document.
Conclusion
Mastering the strikethrough feature in Microsoft Word can elevate your document-editing skills by providing a straightforward way to indicate changes or emphasize updates. Remember, it’s like putting a virtual red pen through your text, signaling edits without permanently deleting anything.
For those keen on refining their documents, practicing these steps will make the process second nature. As you grow more comfortable, you might explore other Word features that complement strikethrough, such as comments or track changes, to further enhance your editing prowess.
Whether you’re drafting a report, collaborating on a project, or simply jotting down ideas, knowing how to strikethrough text efficiently is a valuable skill. So dive in, experiment with these tools, and watch your documents transform into documents that are clearer and more professional.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.