Strikethrough draws a line through text in Excel, often to mark tasks as done or values as outdated. Removing it is quick once you know where it comes from: it can be regular cell formatting, applied to just part of a cell's text, or added automatically by conditional formatting. This guide covers every way to remove strikethrough in Excel 2013, and the same steps work in newer versions including Microsoft 365.
Quick Answer
Select the cells and press Ctrl + 5 to toggle strikethrough off. Or press Ctrl + 1 to open Format Cells, go to the Font tab, uncheck Strikethrough, and click OK. If the line comes back, check Conditional Formatting.
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut
- Select the cells with strikethrough.
- Press Ctrl + 5.
This toggles strikethrough on and off. If some selected cells have it and others do not, you may need to press it twice. On a Mac, use Cmd + Shift + X.
Method 2: Format Cells
- Select the cells.
- Press Ctrl + 1, or right-click and choose Format Cells.
- Open the Font tab.
- Uncheck Strikethrough under Effects.
- Click OK.
You can also click the small arrow in the corner of the Font group on the Home tab to open this dialog. In newer Excel versions, a Strikethrough button may be added to the Quick Access Toolbar for one-click access.
Method 3: Remove Strikethrough From Part of a Cell
- Double-click the cell (or press F2) to edit it.
- Select only the struck-through characters.
- Press Ctrl + 5, or press Ctrl + 1 and uncheck Strikethrough.
- Press Enter.
Method 4: Clear All Formatting
Select the cells and choose Home > Clear > Clear Formats. This removes strikethrough along with every other formatting choice, such as colors, borders, and number formats, so use it only when you want a clean start.
Method 5: Remove Conditional Formatting Strikethrough
If strikethrough reappears or cannot be removed with the steps above, a conditional formatting rule is probably applying it, often in to-do lists where checked items get crossed out.
- Select the cells.
- Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules.
- Select the rule that uses strikethrough and click Edit Rule > Format to change it, or Delete Rule to remove it.
- Click OK.
To remove all conditional formatting from the selection, use Conditional Formatting > Clear Rules > Clear Rules from Selected Cells.
Remove Strikethrough Across a Whole Sheet
- Press Ctrl + A to select all cells.
- Press Ctrl + 1, go to the Font tab, and click the Strikethrough box until it is clear (it may show a filled square if cells have mixed formatting).
- Click OK.
To find strikethrough cells first, use Home > Find & Select > Find, click Options > Format, check Strikethrough on the Font tab, and click Find All.
Related: Strikethrough in Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut to remove strikethrough in Excel?
Ctrl + 5 on Windows, Cmd + Shift + X on Mac.
Why can't I remove strikethrough?
Conditional formatting or a protected sheet may be the cause. Check Manage Rules and Review > Unprotect Sheet.
Does Clear Formats delete my data?
No. It removes formatting only.
Summary
- Select cells and press Ctrl + 5.
- Or uncheck Strikethrough in Format Cells > Font.
- Edit the cell to remove strikethrough from specific characters.
- Check Conditional Formatting if the line keeps returning.
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.
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