Strikethrough draws a line through text, like this. It’s useful for to-do lists, showing edits or price changes, and marking items as done without deleting them. In Google Docs, you can apply it with a keyboard shortcut, the Format menu, or the mobile app. This guide covers every method, how to remove strikethrough, and how it differs from suggested deletions.
Quick Answer
Select the text and press Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows or ChromeOS, or Command + Shift + X on a Mac. Or go to Format > Text > Strikethrough. Repeat the same step to remove it.
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut
- Highlight the words you want to cross out.
- Press the shortcut for your system:
| System | Strikethrough shortcut |
|---|---|
| Windows, ChromeOS, Linux | Alt + Shift + 5 |
| Mac | Command + Shift + X |
Use the 5 on the number row, not the number pad. The same shortcut works in Google Sheets and Slides.
Method 2: Format Menu
- Select the text.
- Click Format in the menu bar.
- Hover over Text and click Strikethrough.
Tip: To apply strikethrough to scattered words quickly, apply it to one, then use the Paint format brush on the toolbar to copy that formatting to others.
Method 3: Google Docs App (Android, iPhone, iPad)
- Open the document and tap the pencil icon to edit.
- Double-tap a word and drag the handles to select the text.
- Tap the Format button (the A with lines) at the top.
- On the Text tab, tap the strikethrough icon (an S with a line through it).
On an iPad with a keyboard, Command + Shift + X also works.
Cross Off Items Automatically With a Checklist
For to-do lists, use a checklist instead of manual strikethrough:
- Select your list and click the Checklist button on the toolbar (or Format > Bullets & numbering > Checklist), or press Ctrl + Shift + 9.
- Click a checkbox to mark an item done. Docs crosses it out automatically.
If you don’t want checked items crossed out, right-click the checklist and look for the option to turn off strikethrough for checked items (available in recent versions of Docs).
How to Remove Strikethrough
- Select the crossed-out text and press Alt + Shift + 5 (or Command + Shift + X) again, or choose Format > Text > Strikethrough to toggle it off.
- To remove all formatting from a selection, including bold, italics, and strikethrough, press Ctrl + \ (Command + \ on Mac) or choose Format > Clear formatting.
- If the text won’t lose its line, it may be a suggested deletion rather than formatting (see below).
Strikethrough vs. Suggested Deletions
In Suggesting mode, deleted text appears with a colored strikethrough and a comment card on the right. That isn’t formatting. To remove it, Accept (deletes the text) or Reject (keeps it) the suggestion in the comment card, or go to Tools > Review suggested edits to accept or reject all at once.
Related: Strikethrough in Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do a double strikethrough in Google Docs?
No. Docs has only single strikethrough. Microsoft Word offers double strikethrough if you need it.
Does strikethrough show when I download the document?
Yes. It’s kept when you download as Word, PDF, or other formats.
Why doesn’t the shortcut work?
Another app or browser extension may use the same shortcut, or your keyboard layout may differ. Use the Format menu instead, or check Help > Keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl + /) for your layout.
Summary
- Select text and press Alt + Shift + 5 (Mac: Command + Shift + X).
- Or use Format > Text > Strikethrough.
- On mobile, tap Format (A) and the strikethrough icon.
- Use a checklist for automatic cross-offs.
- Toggle again or use Clear formatting to remove it.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.