Strikethrough is a formatting feature in Excel that allows you to cross out text or numbers within a cell, making it appear as if it has been deleted or crossed off a list. This visual effect can be useful for various purposes, such as indicating completed tasks, marking outdated data, or emphasizing a point. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to apply strikethrough formatting in Excel, whether you're using the classic interface or the ribbon-based interface.

Classic Interface

If you're using the classic Excel interface, you can easily access the strikethrough option from the Format menu. Here's how to do it:

1. Select the cell or range of cells you want to apply the strikethrough to.
2. Go to the Format menu at the top of the Excel window.
3. Click on the Cells option.
4. In the Format Cells dialog box, navigate to the Font tab.
5. Check the box next to Strikethrough under the Effects section.
6. Click OK to apply the strikethrough formatting to the selected cells.

Your selected cells will now have a line crossed through the text, indicating the strikethrough effect.

Ribbon-Based Interface

For those using the ribbon-based interface, you can quickly access the strikethrough option from the Home tab. Follow these steps:

1. Select the cell or range of cells you want to format.
2. Go to the Home tab on the Excel ribbon.
3. In the Font group, click the Strikethrough button (it looks like a lowercase "abc" with a line through it).
4. The selected cells will instantly display the strikethrough effect.

Alternatively, you can also use the Format Cells dialog box by right-clicking on the selected cells and choosing Format Cells from the context menu. Then, follow the same steps as mentioned in the classic interface section to apply the strikethrough formatting.

Applying Strikethrough to Multiple Cells

If you need to apply strikethrough to multiple cells at once, you can select a range of cells or use the Find and Select feature. Here's how:

1. Select a range of cells by clicking and dragging your mouse across the desired cells.
2. Apply the strikethrough formatting using either the Format Cells dialog box or the Strikethrough button on the ribbon, as described above.
3. Alternatively, you can use the Find and Select feature to apply strikethrough to specific cells. Go to the Home tab, click on the Find & Select dropdown, and choose Find.
4. In the Find and Replace dialog box, enter the criteria for the cells you want to strikethrough (e.g., a specific word or value). Click Find All to locate all matching cells.
5. Select the cells you want to apply the strikethrough to, then click the Strikethrough button on the ribbon or use the Format Cells dialog box.

By using these methods, you can efficiently apply strikethrough formatting to multiple cells, making it easier to manage and organize your Excel data.

Removing Strikethrough

If you want to remove the strikethrough formatting from a cell or a range of cells, you can follow these steps:

1. Select the cell or range of cells with the strikethrough formatting.
2. Go to the Home tab on the Excel ribbon.
3. In the Font group, click the Strikethrough button again.
4. The strikethrough formatting will be removed from the selected cells.

Alternatively, you can use the Format Cells dialog box. Right-click on the selected cells, choose Format Cells, and uncheck the Strikethrough option in the Font tab.

Customizing Strikethrough

While the default strikethrough effect is a single line through the text, you can customize it to your preference. Here's how:

1. Select the cell or range of cells with the strikethrough formatting.
2. Go to the Home tab on the Excel ribbon.
3. In the Font group, click the Dialog Box Launcher (the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the group).
4. In the Format Cells dialog box, navigate to the Font tab.
5. Under the Effects section, you can customize the strikethrough by adjusting the Strikethrough Type and Strikethrough Color options.
6. Click OK to apply the customized strikethrough formatting.

You can choose from different strikethrough types, such as single, double, or a custom pattern, and even set the color of the strikethrough line to match your preferences.

Notes

🌟 Note: The strikethrough feature is a great way to visually mark cells without permanently deleting the data. It's especially useful for task management, data tracking, and creating to-do lists in Excel.

📝 Note: Strikethrough formatting is retained when copying and pasting cells, allowing you to easily transfer the effect to other parts of your spreadsheet.

🖌️ Note: You can also apply other font effects, such as underline, superscript, and subscript, using similar methods to those described for strikethrough.

Conclusion

Strikethrough is a valuable tool in Excel for visually indicating changes, tracking progress, or simply adding emphasis to your data. Whether you're using the classic interface or the ribbon-based interface, applying and customizing strikethrough formatting is straightforward and can greatly enhance the readability and organization of your Excel sheets. With the ability to customize the strikethrough type and color, you can create visually appealing and informative spreadsheets.

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