How to Strike Out in Excel

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool for handling numerical, financial, and statistical data. One of its many features is the ability to use the “Strike Out” font style, which can help draw attention to specific pieces of information. While striking out text may seem like a simple task, some Excel users may need guidance on how to achieve it. In this blog post, we will provide a concise tutorial on how to strike out in Excel, to help users gain more knowledge and efficiency in their Excel usage.

Understanding Strike Out in Excel

Before learning how to strike out in Excel, it’s important to understand what the feature does and when to use it. Striking out text means drawing a line through it, indicating that the information is no longer valid or relevant. This can be helpful in tracking changes to data, demonstrating revised amounts or dates, or indicating that something has been deleted.

How to Strike Out Text in Excel

Step 1: Select a Cell

To get started, select the cell or range of cells where you want to strike out the text. You can do this by clicking on the cell or clicking and dragging to select multiple cells.

Step 2: Locate the “Format Cells” Menu

Next, you’ll need to locate the “Format Cells” menu. You can do this by right-clicking on the selected cell(s) and choosing “Format Cells” from the drop-down menu, or by clicking on the “Home” tab and selecting “Format Cells” from the “Number” section in the ribbon.

Step 3: Select Font and Apply Strike Out

In the “Format Cells” menu, select the “Font” tab. Here, you will find the option to apply various font styles, including “Strike Out.” Check the box next to “Strike Out” to apply the line through your selected text. You can also choose other font styles if desired.

Step 4: Click “OK” to Finish

After selecting your desired font styles and applying Strike Out, click “OK” to close the “Format Cells” menu and apply your changes. Now, the text you selected will have a line through it, indicating that it is no longer valid or relevant.

In Conclusion

Learning how to strike out in Excel is simple and can help you keep track of important changes and updates to data. By following these easy steps, you can use this feature effectively and efficiently in your Excel spreadsheets.

Additional Tips for Using Strike Out in Excel

Now that you know how to use the Strike Out feature in Excel, here are some additional tips to help you use it more effectively.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

If you’re an avid Excel user, you’ll likely want to use keyboard shortcuts to save time when formatting your spreadsheets. To strike out text using a keyboard shortcut, simply highlight the text you want to alter and press “Ctrl” + “5” on your keyboard. This shortcut is a quick and easy way to add Strike Out to your cells.

Combine Strike Out with Other Formatting

The Strike Out feature can become even more powerful when combined with other formatting techniques in Excel. For example, you could apply strike out to text that you have also colored red to show that the information is no longer valid. Or, you could also apply bold to draw even more attention to the text you want to strike out.

Use Conditional Formatting

Another way to use Strike Out more effectively is to incorporate it into conditional formatting in your Excel spreadsheets. For example, you could set up a rule that automatically strikes out text when a specific condition is met, such as when a certain date has passed or when a value exceeds a certain limit. This can save time and effort when you have large amounts of data to analyze and manage.

Final Thoughts

By following these tips and tricks, you can become a strike out master in Excel and apply this feature in a range of situations to improve your work efficiency and your data analysis. Strike Out is one of many powerful tools in Excel that can help you stay organized and effective as you work with a range of numerical and financial data.

FAQ

Here are some common questions that readers may have related to how to strike out in Excel.

How can I remove Strike Out from text?

To remove Strike Out from text, simply select the relevant cells and click “Format Cells” again. Under the “Font” tab, you’ll notice that the “Strike Out” box is checked. Uncheck this box and click “OK” to remove the Strike Out from the selected cells.

Can I use Strike Out in Excel Mobile?

Yes, you can apply Strike Out in Excel Mobile. To do this, select the cell(s) where you want to strike out text and choose “Font” from the Edit toolbar. Here, you’ll have the option to apply Strike Out along with other font styles.

How can I quickly find cells that have Strike Out applied?

If you have a large spreadsheet and need to identify cells that have Strike Out applied, you can use the “Find” function in Excel. Press “Ctrl” + “F” to open the “Find” dialog box and choose the “Options” button. Under “Format,” choose “Font” and select “Strike Out.” Then, click “Find All” to locate all cells with Strike Out applied.

Can I use Strike Out on numbers and cells with formulas?

No, you cannot use Strike Out on numbers or formulas in Excel. However, you can apply other formatting techniques, such as coloring the cells or applying a strikethrough border, to indicate that the data is no longer valid or relevant.

Is it possible to apply Strike Out to specific words within a cell?

No, it is not possible to apply Strike Out to specific words within a cell. However, you can achieve a similar effect by adding a comment to the cell and striking out the text within the comment box.