How to Cross Out Text in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Strikethrough text is a useful tool in Google Docs when you want to indicate changes, mark tasks as completed, or emphasize edits without removing the original text. This feature, often referred to as “crossing out text,” is easy to use and can improve your workflow, especially when collaborating with others.

In this guide, we will show you how to cross out text in Google Docs using different methods. By the end, you’ll be able to use this feature with ease in your documents.

What is Strikethrough Text?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s clarify what strikethrough text is. Strikethrough (or crossed-out text) adds a line through your text while leaving it visible. It’s often used to:

Show changes in a document without deleting the original text.
Indicate completed tasks in a to-do list.
Emphasize or de-emphasize certain words or phrases.

Now that you understand what strikethrough text is, let’s move on to how to cross out text in Google Docs.

How to Cross Out Text in Google Docs

To cross out text in Google Docs, follow these steps:

Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
Go to the Format menu at the top.
Select Text and then click Strikethrough.
Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut:

Windows: Press Alt + Shift + 5.
Mac: Press Cmd + Shift + X.
This feature is useful for showing edits, marking completed tasks, or emphasizing changes without deleting content.

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Methods to Cross Out Text in Google Docs

There are two simple ways to cross out text in Google Docs: through the Format menu and using a keyboard shortcut. Let’s take a look at both.

Method 1: Using the Format Menu

This method is ideal for users who prefer using the toolbar or are unfamiliar with keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how you can use the Format menu to cross out text:

Open your Google Docs document.
Highlight the text you want to cross out.
Go to the Format menu at the top of the screen.
Hover over Text in the dropdown menu.
Select Strikethrough from the list.

Your selected text will now have a line through it, indicating the strikethrough effect. It’s that easy!

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

For those who prefer a faster way to cross out text, Google Docs provides handy keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how you can use them:

On Windows: Highlight the text and press Alt + Shift + 5.
On Mac: Highlight the text and press Cmd + Shift + X.

Using these shortcuts, you can quickly cross out text without navigating through the menus.

Bonus: How to Remove Strikethrough Text in Google Docs

If you want to remove the strikethrough from your text, simply follow the same steps as above:

Format menu: Go to Format > Text > Strikethrough and click to remove the line.
Keyboard shortcut: Use the same shortcut (Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows or Cmd + Shift + X on Mac) to toggle the strikethrough off.

This flexibility allows you to add or remove the strikethrough effect as needed in your document.

Practical Uses for Strikethrough in Google Docs

Now that you know how to cross out text in Google Docs, you might wonder when to use this feature. Here are some practical uses:

Editing and Revising: Use strikethrough to show edits while keeping the original text intact for reference.
To-Do Lists: Cross out completed tasks in a task list to keep track of your progress.
Collaboration: When working in teams, strikethrough can be useful for marking changes or suggesting deletions without erasing content.

These scenarios show how crossing out text can improve the way you manage documents, especially in collaborative settings.

Conclusion

Learning how to cross out text in Google Docs is a simple yet powerful skill that can streamline your workflow. Whether you’re editing a document, managing tasks, or working in a team, using the strikethrough feature will help you stay organized and clear in your communication.

Now that you’ve mastered this feature, try using it in your next document. You’ll find that crossing out text is a convenient way to manage content without losing track of your original thoughts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I cross out text in Google Docs using a keyboard shortcut?

Yes! You can use a keyboard shortcut to quickly cross out text in Google Docs:
On Windows: Highlight the text and press Alt + Shift + 5.
On Mac: Highlight the text and press Cmd + Shift + X.

How do I remove the strikethrough from text in Google Docs?

To remove the strikethrough, simply highlight the text and follow the same steps you used to apply it:
Using the Format menu: Go to Format > Text > Strikethrough.
Using a shortcut: Press the same keyboard shortcuts (Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows or Cmd + Shift + X on Mac).

Why would I use strikethrough text in a document?

Strikethrough text is often used to:
Show edits or revisions without deleting the original content.
Cross out completed tasks in a to-do list.
Indicate outdated or incorrect information while preserving it for reference.

Can I cross out multiple lines of text at once?

Yes, you can cross out multiple lines of text at once in Google Docs. Simply highlight all the text you want to cross out and then apply the strikethrough using the Format menu or the keyboard shortcut.

Is there a mobile app option to strikethrough text in Google Docs?

Currently, the Google Docs mobile app doesn’t have a direct strikethrough option like the desktop version. However, you can access the strikethrough feature by using the desktop version of Google Docs through a mobile browser.

What are some common mistakes people make when applying strikethrough?

A common mistake is trying to manually draw a line over text instead of using the built-in strikethrough feature. Manually drawing a line can be difficult to manage and isn’t as effective as using the actual strikethrough option.