Strikethrough in Excel (Ctrl+5 / ⌘⇧X)
Cross out text in an Excel cell: press Ctrl+5 on Windows or ⌘⇧X (Command+Shift+X) on the Mac. Press it again to remove the line.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strikethrough | ⌘⇧X | Ctrl+5 | |
| Bold | ⌘B | Ctrl+B | |
| Italic | ⌘I | Ctrl+I | |
| Underline | ⌘U | Ctrl+U | |
| Open Format Cells | ⌘1 | Ctrl+1 |
Cross out a value
Select the cell or range and press Ctrl+5 on Windows or ⌘⇧X on the Mac to apply strikethrough. It's a toggle — the same shortcut removes it. This is handy for marking done items in a checklist without deleting them.
If the shortcut does nothing
Make sure you're in a worksheet cell, not editing a chart or shape. You can always open Format Cells with Ctrl+1 / ⌘1 and tick the Strikethrough box under the Font tab.
FAQ
What is the strikethrough shortcut in Excel?
Press Ctrl+5 on Windows or ⌘⇧X (Command+Shift+X) on the Mac to strike through the selected cells.
How do I remove strikethrough in Excel?
Press the same shortcut again — Ctrl+5 or ⌘⇧X — because it toggles the format off.
Is there another way if the shortcut fails?
Yes: open Format Cells with Ctrl+1 (⌘1) and tick Strikethrough under the Font tab.