If you've ever used Microsoft Excel for data management or presentation, you've likely come across the need to format text to highlight specific information or to signify that certain data points should be ignored. One such formatting option is striking through text. This feature allows you to draw a line through any text in a cell, indicating that the content is outdated, incorrect, or completed. Here, we'll explore five simple ways to achieve text strikethrough in Excel, ensuring your spreadsheets communicate exactly what you need them to.
1. Using Font Dialog Box
To start off, the most straightforward way to apply strikethrough in Excel is through the Font dialog box:
- Select the cell or range of cells where you want to apply strikethrough.
- Press Ctrl + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog box, or right-click and select “Format Cells.”
- Go to the “Font” tab, where you’ll find an option labeled “Strikethrough.” Click to activate it.
- Confirm your changes by clicking “OK.”
2. Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) Shortcut
To streamline the process, you can add strikethrough to your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT):
- Right-click on the Excel Ribbon and choose “Customize Quick Access Toolbar.”
- In the “Choose commands from” drop-down, select “All Commands.”
- Scroll down to find “Strikethrough,” select it, and click “Add.”
- Now, you can access strikethrough by clicking the button you’ve added to your QAT.
💡 Note: This method is particularly useful if you frequently need to apply strikethrough in your work.
3. Using Keyboard Shortcut
Excel doesn’t offer a default keyboard shortcut for strikethrough, but you can customize one:
- Go to “File” > “Options” > “Customize Ribbon.”
- Select “Keyboard shortcuts: Customize” at the bottom of the dialog box.
- In the “Categories” box, select “Home Tab.”
- In the “Commands” box, scroll to find “Strikethrough.”
- Assign a new shortcut (e.g., Ctrl + Shift + S) in the “Press new shortcut key” field, then click “Assign.”
💡 Note: This method requires admin privileges to customize Excel settings, so it might not work on some locked-down systems.
4. Conditional Formatting for Strikethrough
Conditional formatting can automatically apply strikethrough based on cell values:
- Select the cells you want to format.
- Go to the “Home” tab, click “Conditional Formatting,” then “New Rule.”
- Choose “Use a formula to determine which cells to format.”
- Enter a formula that returns TRUE when you want strikethrough to apply (e.g.,
=ISBLANK(A1)to strike through empty cells). - Click “Format,” navigate to the “Font” tab, enable “Strikethrough,” and click “OK” twice.
This method is particularly handy for visual cues when managing project task lists or inventory where items need to be marked as complete or obsolete.
5. VBA Macro for Strikethrough
If you need to apply strikethrough regularly or in bulk, consider using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to create a macro:
- Open the VBA Editor with Alt + F11.
- Insert a new module (Insert > Module).
- Paste the following VBA code into the module:
Sub ApplyStrikethrough()
Selection.Font.Strikethrough = True
End Sub
💡 Note: Macros can be shared across workbooks, saving time if you often need to apply strikethrough in different projects.
In wrapping up, we've covered five methods to strike through text in Excel, each with its advantages depending on your usage scenario. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the Font dialog box, the convenience of a QAT shortcut, the efficiency of keyboard shortcuts, the automation of conditional formatting, or the power of VBA macros, you now have a toolbox of options to make your Excel spreadsheets more informative and visually appealing. Remember, while striking through text is a minor tweak, its impact on communication and data integrity can be significant.
Can strikethrough be applied to an entire column in Excel?
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Yes, by selecting the entire column and then applying any of the methods described above.
What if I need to remove the strikethrough?
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Simply use the same method to reapply formatting, but deselect the strikethrough option or adjust the conditional formatting rules.
How can I apply strikethrough in Excel for Mac?
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The same methods apply, though the keyboard shortcuts might differ. Check for Mac-specific shortcuts in Excel’s help documentation.
