Crossing things out in Google Docs is a breeze once you know where to look. To strike through text, simply highlight the text you want to cross out, then navigate to the Format menu and select Strikethrough from the Text submenu. This action will instantly give your text the crossed-out look, perfect for showing edits and revisions without deleting words.
How to Cross Things Out in Google Docs
Crossing out text in Google Docs is a straightforward process that allows you to visibly mark changes or deletions while keeping the original text intact. This feature is particularly useful for collaborative editing and revision processes.
Step 1: Highlight the Text
Select the text you want to cross out by clicking and dragging your cursor over it.
Highlighting is the first step because it tells Google Docs exactly which words you want to apply the strikethrough effect to. Be precise in your selection to avoid altering unintended text.
Step 2: Go to the Format Menu
Navigate to the Format menu in the toolbar at the top of the page.
The Format menu is where many text styling options are located in Google Docs. It’s your go-to spot for anything related to text appearance, including our focus here: strikethrough.
Step 3: Select Text
Hover over the Text option to reveal a submenu of additional text formatting options.
The Text submenu organizes all the text styling options, making it easy for you to find and apply various effects, including strikethrough. This submenu is your gateway to customizing text.
Step 4: Click Strikethrough
Choose Strikethrough from the list of options.
Upon clicking Strikethrough, Google Docs will apply the effect to the highlighted text, giving it that classic crossed-out appearance. This visual cue is invaluable for revisions and edits.
Step 5: Review the Change
Once clicked, observe the crossed-out text to ensure it’s correctly applied.
Reviewing the change is crucial to confirm the effect is applied to the correct text. This final step lets you see your edits in action, ensuring everything is just as you intended.
After you complete these steps, your text will appear with a horizontal line through it, indicating it has been crossed out. This visual change remains until you decide to undo it, allowing readers to see what was altered without losing context.
Tips for Crossing Things Out in Google Docs
- Use shortcuts. On a PC, use Alt + Shift + 5, and on a Mac, use Command + Shift + X to quickly apply strikethrough.
- Remember, strikethrough is reversible. Simply repeat the steps to remove the effect.
- Strikethrough is great for collaborative documents where you want to show edits without deleting text.
- Combine with comments. Use strikethrough and add a comment to explain why the text was crossed out.
- Experiment with other text effects like bold and italic to differentiate types of edits or notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove strikethrough from text?
To remove strikethrough, highlight the affected text and follow the same steps: Format > Text > Strikethrough. This will toggle the effect off.
Can I strikethrough text using my keyboard?
Yes, you can use keyboard shortcuts for this: Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows, or Command + Shift + X on Mac.
Is there a way to strikethrough part of a word?
Yes, simply highlight the specific letters or part of the word you want to strikethrough, not the entire word.
Can strikethrough be used along with other text styles?
Absolutely! You can combine strikethrough with bold, italics, and other styling options to customize your text further.
Why would I use strikethrough in a document?
Strikethrough is useful for showing edits, suggesting deletions, or even for creative writing purposes where you want to show thought processes.
Summary
- Highlight the text.
- Go to the Format menu.
- Select Text.
- Click Strikethrough.
- Review the change.
Conclusion
Crossing things out in Google Docs is a simple yet powerful feature that enhances your text editing toolbox. Whether you’re working on a collaborative project, revising your own work, or simply need to keep track of changes, strikethrough offers a non-destructive way to show edits. It’s like having a digital red pen at your fingertips, allowing you to make changes without permanently deleting valuable content.
This feature not only helps in maintaining the original context but also provides a clear visual indication of what’s been altered. For educators, writers, and professionals who work with documents extensively, mastering the art of strikethrough can make a significant difference in how you manage and present your revisions.
So, next time you’re co-authoring a document or revising your masterpiece, don’t just delete—strike it out! And remember, Google Docs is full of such handy features, so keep exploring and let your digital documents shine with precision and clarity.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech content online for more than ten years. He enjoys writing about Google Docs in addition to many other applications and devices and has cumulatively covered Google’s word-processing application in hundreds of different articles.
He has been published on dozens of popular websites, and his works have accumulated millions of pageviews.
While focused primarily on tutorials and guides for popular electronics like the iPhone and iPad, as well as common applications like Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, he covers topics across the entire technology spectrum.
You can read his bio here.