How to Add Strikethrough to Text in PDF Documents on Mac Using Preview

When reviewing contracts, proofreading manuscripts, or auditing academic papers on macOS, marking deleted or superseded text is an essential editorial workflow. While many users assume that advanced PDF annotation requires expensive third-party software like Adobe Acrobat, Apple’s built-in Preview application includes robust markup capabilities, including native text strikethrough support.

Here is how to apply strikethrough formatting to any selectable text in a PDF document using Preview on macOS.

Method 1: Use the Keyboard Shortcut for Instant Strikethrough

The quickest way to strike out text in Preview is using macOS’s built-in keyboard combination:

1. Double-click your PDF document to open it in Preview (or right-click the file and choose Open With > Preview).
2. Click and drag your mouse cursor to select the specific word, sentence, or paragraph you wish to strike through.
3. Press the shortcut:

Control + Command + K

A crisp horizontal line will immediately be drawn through the selected text. If you repeat the shortcut while the text is highlighted, the strikethrough annotation will be removed.

Method 2: Use the Markup Toolbar

If you prefer a visual interface where you can also choose custom line colours:

1. In Preview’s top toolbar, click the Show Markup Toolbar button (resembling a marker tip inside a circle) located to the left of the search bar.
2. In the secondary markup bar that appears below the main toolbar, locate the Text Style or Highlight drop-down menu (the small ‘A’ icon or highlighter pen).
3. Click the small down-arrow next to the highlighter tool and select Strikethrough.
4. Select any text in your document; Preview will automatically strike through the characters as you drag your cursor.

Method 3: Customise the Strikethrough Colour

By default, Preview applies a standard red or grey strike line depending on your system accent colours. You can easily modify this:

1. Click the arrow next to the highlighter/strikethrough tool on the markup bar.
2. Choose from the available palette circles: Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, or Purple.
3. When Strikethrough is active, any chosen colour circle dictates the colour of the strike line across your selected text.

Method 4: Remove or Delete Strikethrough Annotations

If you made a mistake or want to revert an editorial suggestion:

1. Click directly on the struck-through text to reveal its bounding highlight handle.
2. Press the Delete (Backspace) key on your keyboard.
3. Alternatively, right-click (or Control-click) the struck-through text and select Remove Strikethrough from the contextual menu.
4. Press Command + S to save your revised PDF.