Excel, the powerful spreadsheet software from Microsoft, offers a plethora of features and tools to enhance your data analysis and visualization. One such feature is the ability to apply strikethrough formatting to cells, which can be particularly useful when you want to indicate outdated or irrelevant data. While Excel doesn't have a dedicated shortcut key for strikethrough, there are a few methods you can use to achieve this formatting quickly and efficiently. In this blog post, we will explore these methods and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to apply strikethrough in Excel using shortcut keys.

Method 1: Using the Font Dialog Box

The first method involves using the Font dialog box to apply strikethrough formatting. Follow these steps:

1. Select the cell or range of cells you want to format.
2. Right-click on the selected cells and choose “Font” from the context menu.
3. In the Font dialog box, navigate to the “Effects” section.
4. Check the box next to “Strikethrough”.
5. Click “OK” to apply the strikethrough formatting to the selected cells.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, you can combine a few keys to quickly apply strikethrough formatting. Here’s how:

1. Select the cell or range of cells you want to format.
2. Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
3. While holding Ctrl, press the 1 key to open the Font dialog box.
4. In the Font dialog box, navigate to the “Effects” section.
5. Check the box next to “Strikethrough”.
6. Press Enter on your keyboard to apply the strikethrough formatting and close the dialog box.

Method 3: Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar

For frequent users of strikethrough formatting, customizing the Quick Access Toolbar can be a convenient option. By adding the Strikethrough command to the toolbar, you can access it with a single click. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on the “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” icon (the small arrow) located next to the Quick Access Toolbar.
2. Select “More Commands” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the Excel Options dialog box, select “All Commands” from the “Choose commands from” drop-down list.
4. Scroll down and locate the “Strikethrough” command.
5. Click “Add” to move the Strikethrough command to the Quick Access Toolbar.
6. Click “OK” to save the changes.
7. Now, you can apply strikethrough formatting by simply clicking on the Strikethrough icon in the Quick Access Toolbar.

Additional Tips and Considerations

• Strikethrough formatting is a visual indication and does not affect the actual data in the cells. It is primarily used for presentation purposes.
• You can easily remove strikethrough formatting by following the same steps and unchecking the “Strikethrough” option in the Font dialog box.
• Excel also offers other formatting options, such as bold, italic, and underline, which can be applied using similar methods.
• If you frequently use a specific set of formatting options, consider creating a custom cell style to save time and apply the desired formatting with a single click.

Conclusion

Applying strikethrough formatting in Excel is a simple yet effective way to highlight outdated or irrelevant data. By using the methods outlined in this blog post, you can quickly and efficiently add strikethrough to your cells. Whether you prefer using the Font dialog box, keyboard shortcuts, or customizing the Quick Access Toolbar, Excel provides you with the flexibility to choose the method that suits your workflow best. So, go ahead and give your data a professional touch with strikethrough formatting!