When you are editing a collaborative document or managing a digital to-do list in Google Docs, you often need a visual way to show that a task has been completed or that a specific word should be removed. Instead of just pressing the backspace key and erasing the text entirely (which removes the history of the edit), you can draw a clean, horizontal line straight through the middle of the words using the Strikethrough formatting tool.
How to Apply a Strikethrough (Menu Method)
Applying this formatting is just as easy as making text bold or italic, though the button is not immediately visible on the main toolbar.
- Open your document in Google Docs on a computer.
- Use your mouse to click and drag over the specific text you want to cross out. This can be a single letter, a full word, or an entire paragraph.
- Click on Format in the very top menu bar.
- Hover your mouse over Text to open the secondary menu.
- Click on Strikethrough.
A horizontal line will instantly appear through the highlighted text. If you want to remove the line later, simply highlight the word again and repeat the exact same steps to toggle the formatting off.
The Essential Keyboard Shortcut
If you are actively editing a large essay or rapidly checking items off a massive packing list, clicking through the Format menu every single time will slow you down significantly. You should memorize the keyboard shortcut for instant formatting.
- On Windows or ChromeOS: Highlight the text, then hold Alt + Shift and press the number 5.
- On a Mac: Highlight the text, then hold Cmd (⌘) + Shift and press the letter X.
This shortcut toggles the line on and off instantly, allowing you to edit documents at lightning speed without ever taking your hands off the keyboard.