How to Strike Through on Google Docs
Striking through text in Google Docs is super easy! Just highlight the text you want to strike through, click on the "Format" menu at the top, hover over "Text," and select "Strikethrough." Voilà! Your text should now have a line through it, making it look crossed out but still readable.
Step-by-Step Tutorial on Striking Through Text in Google Docs
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of striking through text in Google Docs. It’s a handy feature when you want to show edits or revisions without deleting anything permanently.
Step 1: Open Your Google Docs Document
Make sure your document is open and ready to be edited.
Opening the right document is key. You can’t strike through text if you aren’t in the document where the text lives. Find it on your Google Drive and double-click to open it.
Step 2: Highlight the Text
Select the specific words or phrases you want to strike through.
Click and drag your mouse over the text. If you’re using a trackpad, tap with two fingers and drag. The text should now be highlighted in blue.
Step 3: Click on the "Format" Menu
Look at the top of the page and click "Format."
The menu bar at the top of Google Docs has various options. "Format" is nestled between "Insert" and "Tools." Clicking it reveals more text editing tools.
Step 4: Hover Over "Text"
In the drop-down menu, move your cursor to "Text."
This expands another menu that contains various text options, including bold, italic, and of course, strikethrough.
Step 5: Select "Strikethrough"
Click "Strikethrough" from the expanded menu.
As soon as you click, you’ll see a line through the text you highlighted. It’s like magic, but digital!
Once you complete these steps, your selected text will have a line through it, indicating that it has been struck through. This formatting change is handy for editing, brainstorming, or even making a checklist of things that no longer need to be considered.
Tips for Striking Through Text in Google Docs
- Use keyboard shortcuts: For faster access, use Alt + Shift + 5 (Windows) or Command + Shift + X (Mac).
- Strikethrough for lists: Use it for to-do lists to visually show completed tasks.
- Collaborate effectively: Use strikethrough to suggest edits without deleting text.
- Undo easily: If you make a mistake, simply press Ctrl + Z (Windows) or Command + Z (Mac).
- Customize further: Explore other formatting options like bold or italic in the same menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the strikethrough?
Yes, highlight the text again and select "Strikethrough" from the menu to remove it.
Is there a shortcut for strikethrough?
Absolutely! Use Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows and Command + Shift + X on Mac.
Does strikethrough affect text readability?
Not significantly. It’s designed to keep the text readable while showing it’s marked out.
Can I strike through multiple selections at once?
Yes, just highlight multiple sections before applying the strikethrough.
Is strikethrough available in the mobile app?
Currently, the mobile app version doesn’t support strikethrough directly.
Summary
- Open your Google Docs document.
- Highlight the text.
- Click the "Format" menu.
- Hover over "Text."
- Select "Strikethrough."
Conclusion
Striking through text in Google Docs is a breeze once you know how to do it. This simple tool can make a big difference when you’re editing documents, brainstorming ideas, or just trying to keep track of tasks. It’s like having a digital highlighter that allows you to visibly mark things as done or reconsidered without losing the original text.
By mastering the art of striking through, you can make your documents more dynamic and easier to manage. And remember, Google Docs offers a world of other formatting and collaboration tools that can enhance your productivity. So, why stop here? Explore, experiment, and make the most out of your Google Docs experience.
Feel free to dive into Google’s help resources for more tips and tricks or keep experimenting on your own. Happy editing!
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.