Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Using Strikethrough Formatting.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 24, 2025)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
One of the character formats you can use within Excel is referred to as strikethrough. This simply means that Excel shows a horizontal line through the middle of the character (or characters) to which the attribute has been applied. Strikethrough can be applied in this manner:
Figure 1. The Font tab of the Format Cells dialog box.
If you prefer to use keyboard shortcuts, then applying strikethrough is even easier—all you need to do is select the cells you want to affect (or the characters within a cell) and then press Ctrl+5.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (10633) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Using Strikethrough Formatting.
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2025-12-24 12:08:04
Joe Chadwick
I do a lot of “live” value analysis exercises using the strikethrough format, coupled with a custom formula of “SUM-no-strikethrough.” This has been helpful during presentations, to show the immediate effect of deleting a cost. The strike through is graphically clear and easily reversible without worrying about fat-finger retyping errors that happen under pressure.
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here:
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