Strikethrough in Excel draws a horizontal line through the middle of cell text, making it look crossed out. The fastest way to apply it is the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+5 on Windows or Cmd+Shift+X on Mac. Here are all the methods.
Keyboard Shortcut: Ctrl+5 (Windows)
Select the cell or cells you want to strike through, then press Ctrl+5. Press it again to remove the strikethrough. This is a toggle — the same shortcut applies and removes the formatting.
You can also select specific characters within a cell before applying the shortcut. Double-click the cell to enter edit mode, highlight just the text you want struck, then press Ctrl+5. Only the selected characters get the line.
Keyboard Shortcut: Cmd+Shift+X (Mac)
On a Mac, the strikethrough shortcut is Cmd+Shift+X. It works the same way — select cells or text within a cell, press the shortcut to apply, press again to remove.
Format Cells Dialog
Strikethrough is not on the main Home ribbon by default, but it is always available in the Format Cells dialog:
- Select the cell(s)
- Press Ctrl+1 (or Cmd+1 on Mac) to open Format Cells
- Click the Font tab
- Check the Strikethrough checkbox under Effects
- Click OK
Adding Strikethrough to the Quick Access Toolbar
If you use strikethrough often, add it to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT):
- Click the small dropdown arrow at the end of the QAT (top-left of the screen)
- Choose More Commands
- Set "Choose commands from" to Commands Not in the Ribbon
- Find Strikethrough in the list, click Add, then OK
Custom Cell Format with Strikethrough
You cannot apply strikethrough through a number format code in the Format Cells → Number tab — that tab only controls how numbers display, not font effects. Strikethrough is a font property, not a number format. Apply it through the Font tab or the keyboard shortcut.
Use Cases for Strikethrough in Excel
Task lists and to-do trackers: Many people build simple task lists in Excel. Applying strikethrough to completed tasks gives an immediate visual cue that the item is done without deleting the record of what was completed. Marking discontinued items: In product catalogs or price lists, strikethrough signals that an item is no longer available while keeping it visible for historical reference. Showing changes during review: When collaborating on a spreadsheet, strikethrough can mark data that should be removed in the next version — a lightweight alternative to Track Changes. Budget revision tracking: Strike out old budget figures and type new ones next to them to show how estimates evolved.Frequently Asked Questions
Does strikethrough affect the cell's value?No. Strikethrough is purely a visual formatting effect. The cell value, formula, and any calculations that reference it are completely unchanged.
Can I apply strikethrough with conditional formatting?Yes, but it requires a workaround. Conditional formatting in Excel does not include a strikethrough option in the standard font effects. You can use a macro (VBA) to apply strikethrough based on a condition, or use a helper column with an IF formula to display struck-through text by using a custom font that includes strikethrough glyphs — though this is rarely practical. For most use cases, manual or formula-triggered strikethrough via VBA is the cleanest solution.
Can I search for cells that have strikethrough formatting?Yes. Press Ctrl+F to open Find, click Options, then click the Format dropdown → Choose Format From Cell and click a cell with strikethrough. Excel will search only for cells matching that formatting.
Why is Ctrl+5 not working?If you are in cell editing mode (cursor is inside a cell), Ctrl+5 may not trigger strikethrough in some Excel versions. Press Escape to exit edit mode, select the cell(s) normally, then press Ctrl+5. Also check that the cell is not locked in a protected sheet.