Essential Guide to Using Strikethrough Formatting in Excel (A Complete Guide)

Excels split-second formatting tools often transform how we present and analyze data—and one of the most visually impactful features is strikethrough text. Whether you’re tracking task statuses, updating records, or visually distinguishing completed versus pending entries, strikethrough formatting in Excel helps improve clarity and readability. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about applying, customizing, and effectively using strikethrough in Excel.

Understanding the Context

What is Strikethrough in Excel?

Strikethrough is a text formatting effect that crosses out characters across a cell by running a horizontal line through them. It’s ideal for showing deleted, completed, or invalid data without removing it from the worksheet—making it discreet yet immediately noticeable.

Excel’s strikethrough feature is built into the Home tab under the Font section, enabling users to quickly apply this effect with just a few clicks.

strikethrough in excel

Key Insights

How to Apply Strikethrough in Excel

Applying strikethrough is simple and accessible:

  1. Select the cell(s) you want to format.
  2. Navigate to the Home tab on the ribbon.
  3. Click the Font group.
  4. Click the Strikethrough icon (∕ icon, looks like a crossed-out line).
  5. The selected text will instantly display with a strikethrough effect.

For quick access, you can also use shortcut key Alt + I, then E, then E (again for Strikethrough) on Windows, or use the Font dialog box for more options.

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Final Thoughts

Advanced Strikethrough: Formatting Options & Tips

Excel offers more than just the basic strikethrough line. These features boost versatility:

  • Move Strikethrough Feature:
    The strikethrough function isn’t limited to a single cell—it can span multiple consecutive cells. Just select a range (e.g., A1 to C1), apply strikethrough, and the effect applies across all cells in the selection simultaneously.

  • Strikethrough with Font Color:
    Pair strikethrough with a diluted font color (e.g., gray or faint red) for subtle visual cues. Go to     Font Settings > Color dropdown and choose a light tone for better presentation.

  • Using Conditional Formatting:
    Combine strikethrough with conditional rules. For example, highlight overdue tasks by making due dates expired, then apply strikethrough to those cells automatically—keeping data clean and actionable.

Practical Uses of Strikethrough in Excel

Incorporating strikethrough into Excel workflows elevates data presentation. Here are some common use cases:

  • Tracking Task Descriptions:
    Mark completed steps in checklists or to-do lists by left-clicking strikethrough—keeping progress easy to follow without deleting text.

  • Debiting & Credit Recording:
    In financial tracking, show historical changes: original entries left strikethrough, new entries right-aligned beneath for clear before/after comparisons.