Striking through text in Google Docs is a nifty little trick that can help you visually distinguish text that’s no longer relevant or that you wish to highlight in a different way. With just a few clicks, you can easily apply a line through your text. To do this, simply select the text you want to edit, navigate to the "Format" menu, choose "Text," and then click on "Strikethrough." That’s it—your selected text will now have a line striking through it, making it stand out in your document.
How to Draw a Line Through Text in Google Docs
In this section, you’ll learn how to perform a quick and effective strikethrough on your text in Google Docs. Whether you’re revising a document or need a visual cue to show changes, these steps will guide you through the process.
Step 1: Open Google Docs
Start by opening Google Docs and selecting the document you want to edit.
Make sure you are logged into your Google account so you can access your documents. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one. Once in your document, you’re ready to move to the next step.
Step 2: Select Text
Click and drag your mouse over the text you want to strike through.
Be careful to select only the text you intend to strikethrough. If you’re on a touch device, you can usually select text by tapping and holding until selection options appear.
Step 3: Go to the Format Menu
Navigate to the top of the page and click on the "Format" menu.
The "Format" menu is located in the toolbar at the top of your screen. It contains various formatting options, so look for it carefully.
Step 4: Choose "Text" from the Dropdown
Hover over "Text" in the dropdown menu that appears.
When you hover over "Text," a submenu will appear with more formatting options. This submenu holds the key to your strikethrough function.
Step 5: Click on "Strikethrough"
Finally, click "Strikethrough" to apply a line through your selected text.
Once you click "Strikethrough," you’ll see an immediate change in your document. Your chosen text will be struck through, making it look like it’s crossed out.
After completing these steps, your text will have a line running through it, indicating that it’s been struck through. This can be particularly useful for editing, note-taking, or simply highlighting information that’s no longer relevant.
Tips for Drawing a Line Through Text in Google Docs
- Use keyboard shortcuts: On Windows, press Alt + Shift + 5, and on Mac, press Command + Shift + X to quickly apply a strikethrough.
- Undo strikethrough: Simply follow the same steps to remove the line from your text.
- Strikethrough style: Use strikethrough to maintain a record of changes without deleting text.
- Combine with comments: Add comments to explain why text is struck through.
- Batch strikethrough: Select multiple sections of text to apply strikethrough to several areas at once.
FAQs
What is the purpose of using strikethrough?
Strikethrough is used to indicate text that should be disregarded or has been updated. It’s often used for revisions or notes.
Can I strikethrough text on Google Docs mobile app?
Yes, you can. The process is similar but involves using the mobile app’s formatting options.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for strikethrough in Google Docs?
Yes, on Windows, you can use Alt + Shift + 5, and on Mac, use Command + Shift + X.
Can I change the color of the strikethrough line?
No, the color of the strikethrough line is not customizable in Google Docs; it matches the text color.
How do I remove a strikethrough?
To remove a strikethrough, simply reselect the text and click on “Strikethrough” again in the format menu.
Summary
- Open Google Docs.
- Select text.
- Go to the Format menu.
- Choose "Text" from the dropdown.
- Click on "Strikethrough."
Conclusion
Drawing a line through text in Google Docs is a simple yet powerful tool in your digital writing toolkit. Whether you’re working on a school essay or collaborating on a business report, knowing how to effectively use strikethrough can enhance your document management. It allows you to visibly track changes and ensure that your edits don’t go unnoticed. Plus, it keeps your workflow smooth and your document organized.
With a few clicks—or a quick keyboard shortcut—you can easily apply or remove this formatting option. So go ahead, give your Google Docs a little extra flair and functionality with strikethrough.
Remember, mastering these small techniques can make a big difference in your productivity and the readability of your documents. For more handy tips and tricks in Google Docs, keep exploring and experimenting. Who knows? You might just stumble upon your next favorite feature!
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.