To strikethrough in Word, select the text and click the Strikethrough button (abc) in the Font group on the Home tab. Word for Windows has no built-in Ctrl shortcut, so the quickest keyboard route is Alt, H, 4 pressed one after another; on a Mac, press Cmd + Shift + X. For double strikethrough, open the Font dialog with Ctrl + D.
In this guide, you’ll learn three reliable ways to add strikethrough in Microsoft Word — using the ribbon, the keyboard shortcut, and the Font dialog box — plus how to remove it and fix the most common issues. If you’re new to Word formatting, you may also want to brush up on the Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet first.
Strikethrough Shortcut in Word: Quick Reference
| Task | Word for Windows | Word for Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Strikethrough | Alt, H, 4 (one after another) | Cmd + Shift + X |
| Open the Font dialog (double strikethrough) | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D |
| Remove strikethrough | Select the text and press the same keys again | Select the text and press the same keys again |
| Make your own shortcut | File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard shortcuts: Customize | — |
What Is Strikethrough in Word?
Strikethrough is a character-level formatting option that draws a horizontal line through selected text while leaving the words readable. Unlike deleting, it preserves the original content — useful when you need a visible record of what was changed. To draw a line above text instead, see how to write overline in Word.
It’s the right tool for:
- Showing revisions during editing or peer review
- Crossing off completed items on a checklist
- Comparing old wording against new without deleting either
- Marking text for discussion in collaborative documents
Watch the Video Tutorial
If you prefer to see this in action, the full video walkthrough is below, showing each method step by step.
How to Strikethrough in Word: Step-by-Step
There are three reliable ways to apply strikethrough in Word, and each one suits a different workflow. The ribbon method is the most visual, the keyboard shortcut is the fastest, and the Font dialog gives you access to double strikethrough as well.
Method 1: How to Strikethrough in Word Using the Ribbon
This is the most beginner-friendly approach and works identically across every modern version of Word — Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word Online.
Steps:
- Select the text you want to cross out
- Go to the Home tab on the ribbon
- Locate the Font group
- Click the Strikethrough button — the “ab” icon with a line through it
👉 The selected text now appears with a single horizontal line through the centre, and the formatting stays applied until you toggle it off.
Method 2: How to Strikethrough in Word Using the Keyboard Shortcut
If you format text frequently, the keyboard shortcut is the fastest route. Word doesn’t ship with a dedicated single-key shortcut for strikethrough — instead, it uses the ribbon’s KeyTips sequence.
Steps:
- Select the text you want to strike through
- Press Alt + H
- Then press 4
👉 The shortcut triggers the same Strikethrough command as the ribbon button, but without breaking your hand position on the keyboard.
👉 On a Mac: Word for Mac has its own strikethrough shortcut: press Cmd + Shift + X. It is on our Word for Mac keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet.
Method 3: How to Strikethrough in Word Using the Font Dialog Box
The Font dialog box unlocks two options the ribbon doesn’t show — single strikethrough and double strikethrough — and lets you combine them with other character effects in one step.
Steps:
- Select your text
- Press Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog box
- Under Effects, tick either Strikethrough or Double strikethrough
- Click OK
👉 Double strikethrough is useful when you need to distinguish between two stages of revision — a single line for first-pass edits, a double line for final removals.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Method | Best For | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Ribbon button | Beginners and occasional use | Medium |
| Keyboard shortcut (Alt H 4) | Frequent editing and revision work | Fastest |
| Font dialog (Ctrl + D) | Double strikethrough or combined effects | Slowest |
Common Problems When Using Strikethrough in Word
The strikethrough button is greyed out
This means no text is selected. Highlight the text first, then click the button — the ribbon icon only activates when there’s a valid selection to format.
The Alt H 4 shortcut doesn’t work
Press the keys in sequence, not together — tap Alt, then H, then 4. If KeyTips don’t appear when you press Alt, your ribbon may be customised; reset it via File → Options → Customize Ribbon → Reset.
Can’t find the strikethrough button on the ribbon
It lives in the Font group on the Home tab, between the underline and subscript buttons. If your Word window is narrow, the Font group collapses — widen the window or click the small Font group expander arrow.
Strikethrough won’t remove from pasted text
Text pasted from another document sometimes carries hidden formatting. Select the text and press Ctrl + Spacebar to clear all character formatting at once, then reapply only what you need.
Pro Tips
- Strikethrough is a toggle — clicking it again on already-formatted text removes the line cleanly
- Add Strikethrough to the Quick Access Toolbar to cut the shortcut down to a single Alt + number press
- For tracked-change workflows where edits need a full audit trail, use Track Changes instead — strikethrough is for visual marking, not version control
- Combine strikethrough with a coloured font to make revisions stand out at a glance — for the cleanest result, customise the font colour first using the guide on how to change background colour in Word
- Strikethrough is a satisfying way to cross off finished jobs — try it on our free checklist and to-do list templates for Word, where every task has its own line and check box.
Next Steps
Want to do more with text formatting? Try one of these next:
- How to Highlight Text in Word: Mark text for attention instead of crossing it out.
- How to Use Superscript in Word: Learn another quick Font effect with its own shortcut.
- How to Clear Formatting in Word: Remove strikethrough and other effects from text in one click.
FAQs
What is the keyboard shortcut for strikethrough in Word?
Word for Windows has no built-in Ctrl shortcut for strikethrough. Select your text and press Alt, H, 4 one after another (ribbon key tips). On a Mac, press Cmd + Shift + X. You can assign your own shortcut under File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard shortcuts.
Can I apply strikethrough to multiple words at once?
Yes. Highlight a single word, a sentence, a paragraph, or the entire document with Ctrl + A, then apply strikethrough — Word formats every selected character at the same time.
Does strikethrough delete the text?
No. Strikethrough only draws a line through the text — the words stay fully readable and remain in the document until you delete them manually.
How do I remove strikethrough in Word?
Select the crossed-out text and click the Strikethrough button again, or press Alt + H + 4. The formatting toggles off in a single click.
Where is the strikethrough button in Word?
You’ll find it on the Home tab, inside the Font group — it’s the small “ab” icon with a line drawn through the letters.
Can I add a double strikethrough in Word?
Yes. Open the Font dialog box with Ctrl + D, then tick Double strikethrough under the Effects section. It’s the only way to apply two lines — the ribbon button only offers single strikethrough.
Does strikethrough work in Word Online?
Yes. Select the text and click the Strikethrough button on the Home tab in Word for the web.
Conclusion
Strikethrough in Word is one of those small formatting tools that pays for itself the moment you learn the shortcut — three keys and a selection is all it takes to mark revisions, track completed work, or compare wording without losing any of the original text.
Pick the method that matches how you work — the ribbon for clarity, Alt + H + 4 for speed, or the Font dialog for double strikethrough — and pair it with how to remove formatting marks in Word to keep your document clean as you edit.
Related Tutorials
- Microsoft Word Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
- How to Justify Text in Word
- How to Remove Formatting Marks in Word
Word Tutorials
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For Microsoft support documentation, visit the official Microsoft guidance.
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