Okay, let's talk about strikethrough in Google Docs. You know, that line through text like this. It seems simple, right? But honestly, depending on whether you're on a laptop, a Chromebook, or frantically trying to do it on your phone, it can feel a bit different each time. And sometimes, you just can't find the darn button! I've been there too many times, scrolling through menus feeling lost.
Why even bother with strikethrough? It's super handy. Maybe you're tracking edits in a draft, showing completed tasks in a checklist without deleting them, or just making a joke in a shared doc. Whatever the reason, knowing exactly how to strikethrough on Google Docs is a basic but essential skill. This guide aims to be the *only* one you'll ever need – covering every method, every device, and solving those annoying little hiccups you might hit along the way. Let's dive in.
The Absolute Easiest Ways to Strikethrough (Desktop)
Most folks are working on a computer or laptop. Here’s the lowdown for Windows, Mac, and Chromebook users.
Using the Format Menu
This is the classic way, always reliable. It might feel a bit old-school if you're used to keyboard shortcuts, but it's foolproof.
1. Highlight the text you want to strike out. (Just drag your mouse over it).
2. Click "Format" in the top menu bar.
3. Hover over "Text".
4. Click "Strikethrough". Boom. Done.
Simple. But what if you're constantly needing to do this? Clicking through menus gets old fast.
Keyboard Shortcuts: Your New Best Friends
This is where speed happens. Learn these, and you'll wonder how you lived without them.
| Operating System | Keyboard Shortcut | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows & Chromebook | Alt + Shift + 5 |
Works consistently across browsers. My personal go-to. |
| Mac | ⌘ (Command) + Shift + X |
Super easy to remember once you do it a few times. |
| Alternative (Sometimes) | Ctrl + / then type "strikethrough" |
Opens the quick menu search. Works but slower. |
I rely heavily on Alt + Shift + 5 on my Windows machine. Muscle memory now. For Mac users, ⌘ + Shift + X is just as quick. If the shortcuts ever feel unresponsive (happens occasionally if another app is stealing focus!), just fall back to the Format menu. No biggie.
Pro Tip: Want to strikethrough a whole paragraph? Just triple-click anywhere within it to select it all, then hit your shortcut. Saves dragging the mouse.
Toolbar Shortcut (If It's Missing...)
Sometimes, the strikethrough button (it looks like "ab" with a line through it) *isn't* visible on your toolbar by default. Annoying, I know. Here’s how to fix that:
1. Click the three vertical dots at the far right of the toolbar. That's the "More" button.
2. Look for "Strikethrough" in the list that drops down.
3. If you see it, click it once. That pins it to your main toolbar instantly.
4. If you *don't* see it? Click "More Formats" at the bottom of that menu. It should be hiding in there. Click it there, and it usually gets added to the overflow menu for next time.
Why Google hides this useful button sometimes is a mystery to me, but at least it's fixable.
Striking Through Text on Your Phone or Tablet (Mobile Apps)
Need to do this quickly while you're on the bus or away from your desk? The Google Docs mobile app (Android or iOS) has you covered, though it's a bit more taps.
Android & iOS App Steps
Don't expect desktop speed here, but it gets the job done reliably.
| Step | Action | What You See |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open your Doc in the app. | Your document loads. |
| 2 | Double-tap the word or drag to select the text you want. | Selection handles appear. |
| 3 | Tap the "Format" button (it looks like a capital "A" with small horizontal lines, usually top right or near the selection). | A formatting menu pops up. |
| 4 | Tap "Text". | Text formatting options appear. |
| 5 | Scroll within the "Text" formatting options until you see the "Strikethrough" button (same "ab" with line icon). Tap it. | The line appears through your selected text. |
Yeah, it's a journey. Five taps minimum. I wish there was a way to add formatting shortcuts to the mobile toolbar, but alas, not yet. It works, it's just... not speedy. Sometimes you need to scroll sideways in that "Text" menu to find it.
Beyond the Basics: Smarter Ways to Use Strikethrough
Okay, you know the mechanics of how to strikethrough on Google Docs. But when is it actually *useful*, and how can you use it like a pro?
Common & Clever Use Cases
- Tracking Edits & Revisions: Instead of deleting old text, strike it out and add the new version next to it or inline. Super clear for collaborators to see what changed. (Honestly, better than just relying on Suggesting mode sometimes, as it's more visually permanent).
- To-Do Lists & Checklists: Strike through completed tasks! It feels satisfying and keeps the list intact for reference. Way better than deleting them, especially if you need a log. Google Docs' built-in checklist feature also automatically applies strikethrough when you check an item – nice touch!
- Humor or Sarcasm: You know the drill. "This is the best worst idea ever." Use sparingly in professional docs!
- Marking Drafts: For early versions sent for feedback, striking through placeholder text like "[Insert Data Here]" once it's filled keeps things clean.
- Price Comparisons: Showing old price vs. new price? $99.99 $79.99. Simple and effective.
Bulk Strikethrough & Removal
Got a huge document littered with struck-through text you want to remove? Or need to strike through a bunch of phrases scattered everywhere? No problem!
Using Find and Replace: This is a lifesaver.
1. Press Ctrl + H (Windows/ChromeOS) or ⌘ + H (Mac).
2. Click the three vertical dots (⋮) to show more options.
3. Put your cursor in the "Find" box.
4. Click "Format" → "Text" → "Strikethrough". You'll see "Strikethrough: Yes" appear below the Find box.
5. Now, to REMOVE all strikethrough formatting:
* Leave the "Replace with" box COMPLETELY EMPTY.
* Click the "Format" button under "Replace with" → "Text" → "Strikethrough". Choose "Strikethrough: No".
* Click "Replace all". Poof! All strikethrough disappears.
6. To APPLY strikethrough to specific text everywhere:
* Type the exact text you want to strike out into the "Find" box.
* Put the SAME text in the "Replace with" box.
* Click "Format" under "Replace with" → "Text" → "Strikethrough" → "Strikethrough: Yes".
* Click "Replace all". That exact text everywhere now has a line through it!
Watch Out: Be VERY careful with "Replace all". Double-check your selections first, especially if removing strikethrough. Maybe do one "Replace" click first to test.
This trick has saved me hours on editing large documents. Seriously powerful.
Strikethrough vs. Other Editing Tools
When should you use strikethrough over Docs' other collaboration features?
| Feature | Best For | Permanence | Strikethrough Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suggesting Mode | Getting feedback where changes need approval. | Suggestions can be accepted/rejected. | Strikethrough is more direct & permanent *within* the doc text itself once applied. Good for final edits or things not needing approval. |
| Version History | Seeing all changes retrospectively or restoring old versions. | Records everything over time. | Strikethrough shows the edit visibly *right now* in the current doc version. Version History tracks everything invisibly. |
| Comments | Adding notes & discussions without changing text. | Persistent until resolved/deleted. | Strikethrough modifies the actual text appearance. Comments are marginalia. |
| Delete Text | Removing unwanted content permanently (unless using version history). | Text is gone from the visible doc. | Strikethrough keeps the text visible but marked as outdated/removed. Preserves context. |
I tend to use strikethrough for my personal drafts and final agreed edits after suggestions are resolved. Suggesting mode is great during active collaboration.
Fixing Common Strikethrough Headaches
It's not always smooth sailing. Here's how to troubleshoot the usual suspects when figuring out how to strikethrough on Google Docs goes wrong.
The Strikethrough Button or Shortcut Isn't Working!
Super frustrating. Here's what to check, step by step:
- Is Anything Selected? Seriously, double-check. You need text highlighted first. Sometimes it looks selected but isn't fully.
- Keyboard Shortcut Conflict: Are you using a browser extension (like Grammarly, password managers, accessibility tools) that might be hijacking the shortcut? Try disabling them temporarily to test. I've seen Grammarly cause conflicts before.
- Wrong Shortcut: Double-check the shortcut for your OS (Windows/Mac/ChromeOS) in the table above. They're different!
Alt + Shift + 5is NOT the same asCtrl + Shift + 5. - Browser Woes: Try forcing a hard refresh (
Ctrl + F5or⌘ + Shift + R). Clear your browser cache if issues persist. Switching browsers (Chrome usually works best) is a good test. - App Glitch: On mobile, close the app completely and restart it. On desktop, try reloading the Doc.
- Read-Only Mode? Ensure you have "Editing" access to the document. You can't change formatting if you're just a Viewer or Commenter.
Can I Change the Look of the Strikethrough?
Here's a bummer: No. Unlike some fancy word processors, Google Docs doesn't let you customize the strikethrough line itself. You can't make it dashed, double-lined, or change its color directly.
Workaround (if you absolutely need color): Change the text color of the struck-through text to a lighter gray. It makes the line (which is usually the same color as the text) blend less or seem less prominent. Not perfect, but it's something.
I really wish Google would add styling options for strikethrough. Maybe someday!
Why Did My Strikethrough Disappear?
Did you paste new text over it? Pasted text often brings its own formatting and wipes out the strikethrough. Always use Ctrl + Shift + V (Win/ChromeOS) or ⌘ + Shift + V (Mac) to paste text *without* formatting. That usually preserves your existing strikethrough.
Did someone else edit the doc? They might have accidentally removed it, especially if using "Paste without formatting" over the top or clearing formatting.
Your Strikethrough Questions Answered (FAQ)
Let's tackle those specific things people wonder about when learning how to strikethrough on Google Docs.
Q: Is there a shortcut to strikethrough on a Chromebook?
A: Absolutely! It's the same as for Windows: Alt + Shift + 5. Works like a charm on my Chromebook.
Q: How do I strikethrough using the Google Docs app?
A: As covered earlier, it's a few taps: Select text → Tap "Format" (A icon) → Tap "Text" → Tap "Strikethrough". Takes longer than desktop, but gets it done.
Q: Can I strikethrough on an iPad?
A: Yep, the steps are exactly the same as for the iPhone or Android app described above. Works fine on the bigger screen too.
Q: How do I remove strikethrough formatting?
A: Easy! Just select the struck-through text and use the SAME method you used to apply it:
* Click the Strikethrough button again (if using the toolbar).
* Use the keyboard shortcut again (Alt + Shift + 5 or ⌘ + Shift + X).
* Go through Format > Text > Strikethrough and click it to toggle off.
It's a simple toggle – on or off.
Q: Why isn't my strikethrough shortcut working?
A: Refer back to the troubleshooting section! Common culprits are no text selected, browser extensions interfering, using the wrong shortcut sequence, or needing cache cleared.
Q: Does strikethrough work in headers, footers, and footnotes?
A: Yes! You can strike through text anywhere you can normally type text within a Google Doc.
Q: Can I strikethrough a whole line or paragraph easily?
A: Yes! Triple-click anywhere within the paragraph to select the whole thing instantly, then apply the strikethrough. Much faster than dragging.
Q: Is there a way to strikethrough using voice typing?
A: Not directly, no. You can dictate the text using Voice Typing (Tools > Voice typing), but you'd still need to manually select that text afterwards and apply strikethrough using one of the standard methods.
Wrap Up: Mastering the Line Through
So there you have it. Everything you could possibly need to know about how to strikethrough on Google Docs. From the basic clicks and shortcuts on your computer, to navigating the mobile app, to using it effectively and troubleshooting when things go sideways. We covered keyboard magic (Alt+Shift+5 / ⌘+Shift+X), Format menu paths, finding the toolbar button, bulk operations with Find & Replace, and even why it sometimes just doesn't cooperate.
Remember the key points:
- Desktop Shortcuts Rule: Learn them for speed.
- Mobile Takes More Taps: Be patient, it's in Format > Text.
- Find & Replace is Powerful: Use it for bulk strikes or cleanup.
- Troubleshoot Smartly: Check selection, shortcuts, extensions, and cache.
- Styling is Limited: Just the standard line, no fancy colors or dashes (yet!).
Whether you're editing a novel draft, managing a team project checklist, or just crossing off grocery items in a shared list, strikethrough is a small tool with big utility. It keeps history visible while marking progress. Now that you've got all the methods and fixes at your fingertips, go forth and strike through with confidence!
Got another Docs formatting puzzle? That's what guides like this are for. Happy editing!
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