If you work with text a lot, chances are you use strikethrough more often than the others. It is one of those small formatting tools that quietly shows up everywhere—task lists, edits, drafts, reviews, and emails.
Yet despite how common it is, many people still stop typing, reach for the mouse, and hunt through menus every time they want to cross out text. That may not seem like a big deal, but over time, it slows you down more than you realize.
The good news is that every major writing platform supports strikethrough shortcuts. However, they are not the same across apps. Some are simple, whereas, others are behind the old design decisions.
So, let’s break them all down, platform by platform.
Strikethrough Shortcuts in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word gives you more than one way to apply strikethrough. That flexibility is useful, but it can also feel inconsistent if you do not know where to look.
Word on Windows
On Windows, Word does not offer a single-key shortcut by default. Instead, it relies on the Ribbon system.
To apply strikethrough:
- Select the text
- Press Alt
- Press H
- Press 4
This activates the strikethrough button in the Home tab.
It may look awkward written out, but once you get used to it, it is fast and reliable. This method works across modern versions of Word from Microsoft.
There is also a dialog-based method:
- Select text
- Press Ctrl + D
- Press Alt + K
- Press Enter
This opens the Font dialog and toggles strikethrough. It is useful if you already work with font settings often.
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Word on macOS
On a Mac, things are much simpler:
- Command + Shift + X
Select the text, press the shortcut, and you are done.
Strikethrough Shortcuts in Microsoft Excel
If you use Excel, you are in luck. Excel has one of the cleanest strikethrough shortcuts anywhere.
Excel on Windows and Mac
- Ctrl + 5
That is it.
Select a cell or text inside a cell, press the keys, and strikethrough toggles on or off. This shortcut has been around for years and works consistently.
Many users try this shortcut in Word and PowerPoint as well. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. In Excel, however, it is rock solid.
Strikethrough Shortcuts in Microsoft PowerPoint
PowerPoint behaves much like Word, especially on Windows.
PowerPoint on Windows
- Alt
- H
- 4
This uses the Home tab’s strikethrough button, just like Word.
PowerPoint on macOS
PowerPoint on Mac does not have a single universal shortcut that works in every version.
The most reliable method is:
- Select the text
- Press Command + T
- Enable strikethrough in the Font dialog
Some newer builds also support Command + Shift + X, but it is not consistent across all versions.
Strikethrough Shortcuts in Microsoft Outlook
Outlook is a bit of a mixed bag. The shortcut depends on which version you use and how the editor is configured.
Outlook on Windows (classic)
While composing an email:
- Press Ctrl + D
- Press Alt + K
- Press Enter
This opens the Font dialog and applies strikethrough.
Outlook on macOS
On a Mac:
- Press Command + T
- Enable strikethrough in the Font dialog
There is no fast, single-key toggle like Excel here, which is why many users rely on the formatting toolbar instead.
Strikethrough Shortcuts in Google Docs
Google takes a very different approach from Microsoft. Instead of app-specific shortcuts, it uses one shortcut across its entire ecosystem.
Google Docs on Windows and Chrome OS
- Alt + Shift + 5
Select the text, press the keys, and strikethrough toggles instantly.
Google Docs on macOS
- Command + Shift + X
This mirrors Word on macOS, which makes it easier to remember if you switch between platforms.
You can also find strikethrough under:
- Format → Text → Strikethrough
But once you know the shortcut, you will rarely touch the menu again.
Strikethrough Shortcuts in Google Sheets
Google Sheets follows the same rules as Docs.
Sheets on Windows and Chrome OS
- Alt + Shift + 5
Sheets on macOS
- Command + Shift + X
This works for both text inside cells and selected content.
Strikethrough Shortcuts in Google Slides
Google Slides continues the pattern.
Slides on Windows and Chrome OS
- Alt + Shift + 5
Slides on macOS
- Command + Shift + X
This consistency is intentional. Learn it once, and it works everywhere across Google’s editor suite.
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Strikethrough Shortcuts in Gmail
Basically, Gmail uses the same formatting engine as Google Docs, but only inside the email composer.
Gmail on Windows and Chrome OS
- Alt + Shift + 5
Gmail on macOS
- Command + Shift + X
One important caveat: this only works when rich formatting is enabled in the compose window. If you are typing in plain text mode, the shortcut will not do anything.
You can also click the strikethrough button in the formatting toolbar, but the shortcut is much faster once you get used to it.
Why these shortcuts feel inconsistent
If all of this feels slightly messy, that is because it is.
Microsoft apps were built over decades, often by different teams, long before shortcuts were standardized. The Ribbon system added another layer, favoring key sequences over single-key shortcuts.
Google, on the other hand, designed its editors much later and prioritized consistency from the start. That is why one shortcut works across Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail.
Once you understand this difference, the shortcuts start to make sense.
How to remember the important ones
If you want a simple mental shortcut, remember this:
- Excel: Ctrl + 5
- Google (Windows): Alt + Shift + 5
- Mac (Google and Word): Command + Shift + X
- Microsoft Ribbon: Alt → H → 4
You do not need to memorize everything at once. Focus on the apps you use daily.
Final thoughts
Strikethrough is a small feature, but it shows up everywhere. Knowing the right shortcut saves time, keeps your hands on the keyboard, and helps you stay focused on the work instead of the interface.
Pick one platform. Learn its shortcut. Use it for a day. Then move on to the next.
Before long, strikethrough will feel automatic—and you will stop thinking about formatting altogether, which is exactly how it should be.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the strikethrough shortcut in Microsoft Word?
In Microsoft Word, use Alt → H → 4 on Windows to apply strikethrough using the Ribbon. On Mac, select the text and press Command + Shift + X. You can also open the Font dialog with Ctrl + D and enable strikethrough.
Why doesn’t Ctrl + 5 work in Microsoft Word?
Ctrl + 5 is an Excel-specific shortcut. Microsoft Word relies on Ribbon shortcuts or the Font dialog instead. This difference exists because Word and Excel were designed with different formatting systems.
What is the strikethrough shortcut in Microsoft Excel?
In Microsoft Excel, the strikethrough shortcut is Ctrl + 5 on both Windows and Mac. Select a cell or text within a cell, press the shortcut, and strikethrough will toggle on or off.
How do you strikethrough text in PowerPoint?
In PowerPoint on Windows, use Alt → H → 4 after selecting text. On Mac, open the Font dialog with Command + T and enable strikethrough. Shortcut support varies by version.
What is the strikethrough shortcut in Outlook?
In Outlook on Windows, press Ctrl + D, then enable strikethrough in the Font dialog while composing an email. On Mac, press Command + T and apply strikethrough from the font options.
How do you strikethrough text in Google Docs?
In Google Docs, select the text and press Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows or Chrome OS. On Mac, use Command + Shift + X. The shortcut toggles strikethrough instantly.
Does the same strikethrough shortcut work in Google Sheets and Slides?
Yes. Google uses the same strikethrough shortcuts across Docs, Sheets, and Slides. This consistency makes it easy to apply strikethrough without learning different shortcuts.
Why does Google use the same strikethrough shortcut everywhere?
Google designed its editors with consistency in mind. Using the same shortcut across apps reduces confusion and helps users work faster across Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
What is the strikethrough shortcut in Gmail?
In Gmail’s compose window, select the text and press Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows or Command + Shift + X on Mac. This works only when rich text formatting is enabled.
Why is strikethrough not working in Gmail?
Strikethrough may not work if the email is in plain text mode, the cursor is not inside the message body, or a browser extension is blocking shortcuts. Enable rich formatting and try again.
Is there one universal strikethrough shortcut for all apps?
No. There is no single strikethrough shortcut that works across all applications. Google apps share one shortcut, while Microsoft apps use different shortcuts depending on the program.
Why is my strikethrough shortcut not working?
Common reasons include using the wrong shortcut for the app, disabled formatting options, keyboard conflicts, or browser extensions overriding shortcuts. Always check the app-specific shortcut first.
How can I remember strikethrough shortcuts easily?
A simple approach is to group them by platform: Ctrl + 5 for Excel, Alt + Shift + 5 for Google apps, Command + Shift + X on Mac, and Alt → H → 4 for Microsoft Ribbon apps.
