In the bustling world of spreadsheets, Excel remains a quintessential tool for professionals across various fields. Among its numerous features, text formatting stands out for its utility in presenting data clearly and engagingly. One such formatting technique, often overlooked yet crucial for highlighting changes or completed tasks, is strikethrough text. Whether you're managing project tasks, editing documents, or simply want to show what has been dealt with, knowing how to strikethrough text quickly in Excel can streamline your work process. Here are five methods to achieve this with ease:
1. Using Keyboard Shortcut
For those who enjoy quick keyboard hacks, Excel offers a shortcut to apply strikethrough:
- Select the cell(s) or text where you want to apply the strikethrough effect.
- Press Ctrl + 5 on your Windows keyboard or Command + Shift + X on a Mac.
2. Via Font Dialog Box
If you’re less familiar with keyboard shortcuts, Excel’s Font dialog box provides an intuitive interface:
- Select the cells or text range for strikethrough.
- Go to the “Home” tab, click on “Font Dialog Box Launcher” (small arrow) at the corner of the Font group.
- In the Font dialog, under “Effects”, check the box for “Strikethrough”.
- Click “OK” to apply.
3. Strikethrough From Ribbon Menu
The ribbon menu in Excel also allows for quick application:
- Select your text or cell.
- Head to the “Home” tab, in the Font group, you’ll find a small button with a diagonal line through text. Click on this button to toggle strikethrough.
4. Custom Cell Style
If you’re dealing with recurring data sets where strikethrough is common, consider setting up a custom cell style:
- Go to “Home” > “Cell Styles” > “New Cell Style.”
- Name your style (e.g., “Completed Task”).
- Under “Font”, check “Strikethrough”.
- Apply this style whenever needed.
⚠️ Note: Custom Cell Styles in Excel save time if you frequently format cells the same way. However, be cautious when sharing workbooks; custom styles may not transfer correctly.
5. Using Conditional Formatting
For those looking to automate the strikethrough process based on specific conditions:
- Select the cells or range.
- Go to “Home” > “Conditional Formatting” > “New Rule.”
- Choose “Use a formula to determine which cells to format.”
- Enter your condition (e.g., =A1=“Completed”).
- Click “Format”, go to the “Font” tab, check “Strikethrough”, and then OK.
💡 Note: Conditional Formatting applies formatting based on specific rules, which can be very handy for larger datasets or frequent updates.
While these methods cover the core ways to apply strikethrough in Excel, mastering them can significantly enhance your data management workflow. Each technique offers its advantages, whether it's speed, automation, or ease of use for different situations. By integrating these methods into your daily Excel use, you'll not only manage your data more effectively but also communicate changes or completed tasks clearly.
Can I remove strikethrough from text in Excel?
+Yes, simply select the strikethrough text or cells and press Ctrl + 5 again on Windows or Command + Shift + X on Mac to remove the strikethrough.
Is there a way to apply strikethrough across multiple sheets?
+While you can’t apply strikethrough formatting across multiple sheets at once, you can use macros or VBA to create a function that formats selected ranges on multiple sheets.
Can I set a condition for strikethrough to apply automatically?
+Yes, with Conditional Formatting, you can set Excel to automatically apply strikethrough when a specific condition is met.
