Strikethrough Text in Microsoft Word Made Easy

09/02/2004

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Mastering Strikethrough in Microsoft Word: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on the journey of document editing in Microsoft Word can sometimes feel daunting, especially when faced with tasks that aren't immediately obvious. If you've found yourself tasked with reviewing and correcting documents, and the simple act of crossing out erroneous text has become a perplexing challenge, fear not! This guide is designed to demystify the process of applying a strikethrough effect in Word, ensuring that even those with minimal PC knowledge can master this essential formatting tool. We'll cover everything from the classic desktop versions to the convenient online and mobile applications, making document correction a breeze.

The beauty of Microsoft Word lies in its versatility and user-friendly interface, which, despite its vast array of features, remains accessible. Whether you're using a recent version like Office 2016 or an earlier iteration, or even the free online version, the principles are largely the same. This tutorial will walk you through each step with clarity, requiring only a few minutes of your time and a touch of attention. Prepare to be amazed at how simple it is to enhance your documents with this fundamental formatting technique.

Strikethrough in Word Desktop (Windows & macOS)

Let's begin with the most common scenario: using Microsoft Word installed on your Windows or macOS computer. The process for applying a strikethrough is remarkably consistent across both operating systems, thanks to the unified interface that Microsoft has adopted in its more recent Office suites.

Selecting Your Text

Before you can apply any formatting, you first need to tell Word what text you want to modify. This is achieved through text selection. Here's how:

  • Using the Mouse:
    • Double-clicking a word will select that entire word.
    • Triple-clicking within a paragraph will select the entire paragraph.
    • Click and drag: Hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor across the text you wish to select.
  • Using the Keyboard:
    • Shift + Left/Right Arrow: Selects text character by character.
    • Shift + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow (Windows) or Shift + Option + Left/Right Arrow (macOS): Selects text word by word.
    • Shift + Down Arrow: Selects the entire line the cursor is currently on.

Applying the Strikethrough Effect

Once your text is highlighted, the path to applying the strikethrough is straightforward:

  1. Navigate to the Home tab in the Word ribbon.
  2. In the Font group, locate and click the button that displays abc with a line through it. This is the Strikethrough button.

Your selected text will now have a single line drawn through it.

Applying Double Strikethrough

For those occasions where a more pronounced correction is needed, Word also offers a double strikethrough option:

  1. Select the text you wish to format.
  2. Right-click on the selected text.
  3. From the context menu that appears, choose Font.
  4. In the Font dialog box that opens, find the Effects section.
  5. Check the box next to Double strikethrough.
  6. Click OK to apply the changes.

Removing Strikethrough

Should you need to revert the text, removing the strikethrough is just as simple:

  • Select the text that has the strikethrough effect.
  • Click the abc (Strikethrough) button on the Home tab again.
  • To remove double strikethrough, repeat the steps to open the Font dialog box, and this time, uncheck the Double strikethrough option before clicking OK.

Strikethrough in Older Word Versions (Office 2003 and Earlier)

If you're still working with a classic version of Word that predates the ribbon interface (like Office 2003), the method is slightly different but equally effective:

  1. Open your document and select the text you want to strikethrough.
  2. Right-click on the selected text.
  3. Choose Character from the context menu.
  4. In the dialog box that appears, check the box next to Strikethrough.
  5. For a double line, select Double strikethrough.
  6. Click OK to apply.

Saving Your Document

After making your edits, it's crucial to save your work. The method for saving varies slightly depending on your Word version:

  • For Word 2007 and later: Click the File tab (top-left corner), select Save As, then click Browse to choose a location and filename.
  • For Office 2003 and earlier: Go to the File menu and select Save As.
  • If you simply want to save changes to the current file, click the Save icon (often a floppy disk symbol) or press Ctrl + S (Windows) / Cmd + S (macOS).

Strikethrough in Word Online

Microsoft Word Online offers a free, browser-based alternative that's perfect for quick edits without needing to install software. While it might lack some advanced features, applying a strikethrough is well within its capabilities.

Accessing Word Online

Word Online requires a Microsoft account and utilises OneDrive for cloud storage. If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one. To edit a document:

  1. Sign in to your Microsoft account and navigate to OneDrive.
  2. Drag and drop your document into the OneDrive browser window to upload it.
  3. Once uploaded, click on the document icon to open it in Word Online.

Applying Strikethrough Online

The process in Word Online mirrors the desktop version:

  1. Select the text you wish to strikethrough.
  2. Go to the Home tab.
  3. Click the abc (Strikethrough) button in the Font group.

Note: The double strikethrough option is not available in Word Online.

Removing Strikethrough Online

To remove the effect, simply re-select the text and click the abc button again.

Downloading Your Edited Document

After making your changes in Word Online, you can download the updated document:

  1. Click the File tab (top-left corner).
  2. Select Save As from the sidebar.
  3. Click Download a copy.

Strikethrough in Word Mobile App (Smartphones & Tablets)

For editing on the go, the Word mobile app for Android, iOS, and Windows 10 Mobile is an excellent tool. It's free for devices with screens 10.1 inches or smaller; larger devices require an Office 365 subscription.

Opening Documents on Mobile

  1. Launch the Word app.
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
  3. Choose to create a new document or open an existing one from various cloud services (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive) or your device's storage.

Applying Strikethrough on Mobile

The steps differ slightly between phones and tablets:

  • On Smartphones:
    1. Long-press the text you want to format to select it. Adjust the selection handles as needed.
    2. On Android, tap the triangle icon; on iOS, tap the three dots, usually found at the bottom right.
    3. Select the Home tab from the menu that appears at the bottom.
    4. Tap the abc (Strikethrough) button.
  • On Tablets:
    1. Select the text you wish to format.
    2. Tap the Home tab at the top.
    3. Tap the ... (More options) button, then choose Strikethrough from the menu.

Removing the strikethrough involves the same selection process, followed by tapping the abc button again to toggle it off.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I apply strikethrough to multiple words or sentences at once?

A1: Absolutely. As long as the text is contiguous, you can select it all before applying the strikethrough effect.

Q2: Is strikethrough available in all versions of Microsoft Word?

A2: Yes, the basic strikethrough functionality is present in virtually all versions of Word, from the oldest to the most recent online and mobile apps, though advanced options like double strikethrough may vary.

Q3: How do I remove the strikethrough effect if I change my mind?

A3: Simply select the text with the strikethrough and click the strikethrough button (abc) again, or go through the Font dialog box and deselect the option.

Q4: Can I use a keyboard shortcut for strikethrough?

A4: While there isn't a universal default shortcut for strikethrough across all versions, you can often create custom shortcuts in the desktop versions via Word's customization options if you use it frequently.

Mastering the strikethrough feature in Word is a fundamental skill that enhances document clarity and correction. Whether you're a seasoned user or just starting, these steps should empower you to confidently format your text.

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