Strikethrough Shortcuts in Microsoft Word to Cross Out Text

One of the keys to being more productive in Microsoft Word is to learn the keyboard shortcut for any command you use frequently.

Participants in our Word courses love learning more efficient ways to perform common tasks. If you focus on incorporating a few shortcut keys into your workflow, you’ll be a power user in Microsoft Word before you know it.

If you use strikethrough often, you might want to check out my article on Excel strikethrough shortcuts.

4 Strikethrough Shortcuts to Cross Out Text

Strikethrough text is text that has been crossed out, like this.

Here are 4 strikethrough shortcuts you can use in Microsoft Word any time you need to cross out text.

1) Use Strikethrough Shortcut on the Ribbon

Microsoft has placed a strikethrough shortcut front and center, on the ribbon’s Home tab in the Font group. Just highlight any text you’d like to cross out then click the strikethrough button.

2) Use the Font Dialog Box to Cross Out Text

You can also use the Font dialog box to strikethrough text. Ctrl + D is the keyboard shortcut to display the Font dialog box.

Here are the steps:

1. Select the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Ctrl + D to display the Font dialog box.
3. Once the Font dialog box appears, select the Strikethrough option in the Effects section on the Font tab then click OK.

The Font dialog box is a good option, if you’d like to change additional formatting attributes while you cross out text. There is also a double strikethrough option for additional emphasis.

3) Strikethrough Text with a Shortcut Key (Creating a Custom Keyboard Shortcut)

This is one of my favorite strikethrough shortcuts but you have to configure a new shortcut key before you can use it.

1. Click the File tab and select Options.
   The Word Options dialog box appears.
2. Select Customise Ribbon then click the Customise button.
   The Customize Keyboard dialog box appears.
3. Select Home Tab under Categories: then select Strikethrough from Commands:.
4. Click in the Press new shortcut key: box, press Alt + S then click Assign.

Alt + S is a good choice for a keyboard shortcut because it’s not assigned to any other commands in Microsoft Word.

After assigning this keyboard shortcut, you simply press Alt + S to strikethrough to any text you select.

4) Add a Strikethrough Shortcut to the Quick Access Toolbar

You can also add a strikethrough shortcut to the Quick Access Toolbar in Microsoft Word.

Right-click the Strikethrough button in the Home > Font group and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.

Adding a strikethrough shortcut to the Quick Access Toolbar is convenient because the Quick Access Toolbar is visible no matter which tab on the ribbon you happen to be working with.

Use Strikethrough Shortcuts to Cross Out Text Like a Pro!

There are a variety of methods you can use to cross out text. Whether you use strikethrough in the font dialog box or create your own custom keyboard shortcut, you’ll be able to format a Word document with ease!