How to Draw a Line Through Words in Microsoft Word

You've undoubtedly seen two distinct types of text with lines across them when working in Microsoft Word; this is known as a “strike through”. When you erase text when the collaborative Track Changes function is enabled, red text with a red line across it appears in its place. Simply said, unique character formatting has been given to black text with a black line. This is how it goes.

Why Would You Want to Strike Through Text, Anyway?

You may draw a line through a word to indicate that it should be eliminated, but leave it there, so they can read it. This is very helpful when you're instructing a pupil on a topic like a foreign language, for instance. Learning comes much more quickly if the learner can review their work and see their flaws and fixes.

Some authors may also utilize strike through text to demonstrate a shift in perspective in work.

Whatever the motivation, we're here to provide instructions.

How to Apply Strikethrough Formatting to Text

• It is relatively straightforward to start by picking the text you wish to strike through, either by clicking and dragging over it (or just double-clicking a word). Word, however, loves to choose the space following the text when you do this.
• To avoid that, click to put your insertion point at the beginning of the text, and then Shift-click to make a more exact selection after the text.
• You may even decide many words scattered across the paper at once if you want to get creative. Picking the first section of text usually holds down the Ctrl key while selecting subsequent sections of text in various locations.
• Because releasing the Ctrl key might be annoying and having to restart mistakenly, we advise doing this one paragraph at a time.
• After selecting your content, look on the “Home” tab of Word's Ribbon. Click the Strikethrough button (the three letters with a line through them) in the “Font” category.

• Any text you have chosen should now be underlined.
• Strikethrough formatting is another option available through the Font panel. To open that window, select your text, and then click Ctrl+D on a Windows computer or Cmd+d on a Mac.
• If you go that route, you may choose "Double Strike through" instead of the standard "Strike-through" option. Select what you want, and then press “OK.”

Make Things Easier By Creating a Keyboard Shortcut

• Several keyboard shortcuts are available in Microsoft Word, including many for applying to format. Unfortunately, applying strikethrough formatting doesn't have a built-in shortcut. However, if it's a frequent occurrence, you may design your key combination.
• Reopening the Font window is the first step. Now on Windows, click Ctrl+Alt+Plus (you might have to use the Plus key on your number pad). Your cursor should momentarily change into the form of clover. After that, choose “Strikethrough,” and a Customize Keyboard box should appear.
• You may set your favorite keyboard combination here by clicking once in the “Press New Shortcut Key" box and then hitting the desired keys. Word will inform you whether the key combination you choose is already assigned to another function as a shortcut if it does.
• It's still possible to utilize it even if it's designated for another purpose, but it's preferable to look for a combination that isn't currently in use. The combination Ctrl+Alt+- (minus) is not used in Word and is relatively simple to learn.
• Click "Assign," then return to your Word document and test it.

You now have a customized shortcut for strikethrough!

Conclusion

When you erase text when the collaborative Track Changes function is enabled, red text with a red line across it appears in its place. You may draw a line through a word to indicate that it should be eliminated, but leave it there, so they can read it. Some authors may also utilize strike through text to demonstrate a shift in perspective in work. Create a shortcut for applying strikethrough by clicking the Strikethrough button in Word's Ribbon and then hitting Ctrl+D on a Windows computer or Cmd+d on a Mac.

Related Questions

1. Is there a shortcut to strikethrough in Word?

The strikethrough function is often used by selecting the text you want to highlight, then choosing the strikethrough option from the home tab. But you can easily do the same thing with Word's shortcuts. CTRL + D, please.

2. How do I add a strikethrough to my toolbar in Word?

Customize the menus and toolbars. In the left panel, choose Format, then Commands. Drag the strikethrough to the desired location on the toolbar by scrolling down. Select OK.