How to cross words out in Google Docs

To cross words out in Google Docs, select the text and press Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows or a Chromebook, or Cmd + Shift + X on a Mac.

This guide covers the Format menu and toolbar routes, crossing out whole sentences, removing the line, checklists that cross items out for you, and fixes when strikethrough misbehaves.

Applying Strikethrough via Keyboard Shortcuts

Google Docs calls the crossed-out effect strikethrough. The shortcut toggles it, so the same keys add and remove the line.

1. Open the document in Google Docs.
2. Select the word or words you want to cross out.
3. Press Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows or ChromeOS.
4. On a Mac, press Cmd + Shift + X instead.
5. Click anywhere outside the selection to see the line through the text.

Methods to Cross Words Out in Google Docs

Method	Best when	How
Keyboard shortcut	You cross out text often	Alt + Shift + 5 or Cmd + Shift + X
Format menu	You forget the shortcut	Format > Text > Strikethrough
Strikethrough tool in the toolbar	You prefer clicking	Select the strikethrough option in the toolbar where your layout shows it
Checklist with strike-through	You track tasks	Format > Bullets & numbering > Checklist

Using the Format Menu for Strikethrough

The Format menu works on every computer and shows the shortcut next to the command, which helps you learn it.

1. Select the text to cross out.
2. Open the Format menu at the top of the document.
3. Hover over Text.
4. Select Strikethrough.

To open the Format menu from the keyboard, press Alt + Shift + O on Windows and ChromeOS, or Control + Option + O on a Mac.

Using the Strikethrough Toolbar Button

Google lists strikethrough among the formatting options in the toolbar at the top of a document. If your toolbar is narrow, the button may be hidden; use the Format menu instead.

1. Select the text.
2. Look in the toolbar for the strikethrough option, next to the bold, italic and underline buttons where your layout shows it.
3. Click it once to cross the text out.
4. Click it again with the text selected to remove the line.

Windows and Chromebooks vs Mac shortcuts

These are Google's published shortcuts. On Android with a physical keyboard, Alt + Shift + 5 also applies strikethrough.

Action	Windows and Chromebooks	Mac
Strikethrough	Alt + Shift + 5	Cmd + Shift + X
Bold	Ctrl + B	Cmd + B
Italic	Ctrl + I	Cmd + I
Underline	Ctrl + U	Cmd + U
Clear text formatting	Ctrl + \ or Ctrl + Space	Cmd + \
Copy text formatting	Ctrl + Alt + C	Cmd + Option + C
Paste text formatting	Ctrl + Alt + V	Cmd + Option + V
Show all shortcuts	Ctrl + /	Cmd + /

Crossing Out Multiple Words or Sentences in Google Docs

Strikethrough applies to whatever is selected, from one letter to the whole document.

1. Select the text: drag across a sentence, or click at the start and Shift-click at the end of a longer passage.
2. Press Ctrl + A (or Cmd + A) to select the whole document if needed.
3. Apply the strikethrough format with Alt + Shift + 5 or Cmd + Shift + X.
4. Check the result, then press Ctrl + Z (or Cmd + Z) if you crossed out too much.

Cross out checklist items automatically

Google Docs checklists can cross items out as you tick them, which suits to-do lists.

1. Select the lines you want as tasks.
2. Open Format > Bullets & numbering > Checklist.
3. Choose the checklist style with strike-through.
4. Tick a box to mark an item done and cross it out.

Removing Strikethrough Formatting in Google Docs

1. Select the crossed-out text.
2. Using keyboard shortcuts: press Alt + Shift + 5 (or Cmd + Shift + X) again.
3. Using the toolbar or menu: select Format > Text > Strikethrough again, or click the toolbar option.
4. To strip all formatting at once, press Ctrl + \ (or Cmd + \) to clear text formatting.
5. Check that bold or colour you wanted to keep is still there, and reapply it if needed.

Advanced Tips: Combining Strikethrough with Other Formatting

Strikethrough stacks with other text formats, so you can cross out and colour or bold the same words.

Tip	How to do it
Applying multiple formats simultaneously	Select the text, then press the strikethrough shortcut and Ctrl + B or Ctrl + I one after another
Crossed out in red for edits	Apply strikethrough, then change the font colour
Using keyboard shortcuts for speed	Learn the strikethrough, bold and clear-formatting shortcuts; press Ctrl + / to look any up
Creating custom styles with the Paint Format tool	Copy formatting from styled text with Ctrl + Alt + C, select new text and paste it with Ctrl + Alt + V
Consistent headings	Use Format > Paragraph styles for headings rather than manual formatting

Understanding the Need to Cross Words Out in Google Docs

Strikethrough draws a line through text instead of deleting it, so readers still see what changed.

Use	Why strikethrough beats deleting
Editing a shared draft	Co-authors see the removed wording
To-do lists	Finished items stay visible
Price or date changes	Readers see the old and new values
Teacher or reviewer feedback	Shows what to cut without losing it

Best Practices for Using Strikethrough in Google Docs

These tips for efficient use and editing keep crossed-out text readable. Additional tips for managing strikethrough are in the right-hand column.

Practice	Reason
Use it for temporary edits, then delete the text	Final documents read cleaner
Pair it with a new value next to it	Readers see what replaced the old text
Avoid striking through whole pages	Long crossed-out blocks are hard to read
Use one method consistently	Keeps the editing process predictable
Clear formatting before reapplying styles	Prevents mixed, inconsistent formatting

How to check the text is crossed out

1. Click away from the text and confirm a line runs through its middle.
2. Zoom in with Ctrl and the plus key if the line is hard to see at small font sizes.
3. Download or print the document if needed and confirm the line appears in the output.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Incorrect use of strikethrough tool

No text was selected when the format was applied.

1. Select the words first.
2. Apply strikethrough again.

Forgetting keyboard shortcuts

The shortcut differs between Windows, ChromeOS and Mac.

1. Press Ctrl + / (or Cmd + /) to open the shortcut list.
2. Search for strikethrough.

Using the wrong menu option

Strikethrough is under Format > Text, not Insert or Tools.

1. Open Format > Text.
2. Select Strikethrough.

Inconsistent formatting

Only part of the text was selected, or other formats were mixed in.

1. Select the whole passage.
2. Press Ctrl + \ to clear formatting.
3. Reapply strikethrough and any other formats in one pass.

Technical glitches: the shortcut does nothing

A browser extension, keyboard layout or another app has taken the key combination.

1. Use Format > Text > Strikethrough to confirm the format works.
2. Try the shortcut in an incognito window with extensions off.
3. Reload the document.

How to cross words out in Word, Excel and Discord

Other apps use different controls for the same effect.

App	How to cross words out
Microsoft Word	Select the text, then Home > Strikethrough
Word, double line	Font dialog on the Home tab > Double strikethrough
Microsoft Excel	Home > Font Settings > Format Cells > Strikethrough > OK
Discord	Wrap the text in two tildes on each side: ~~text~~

Frequently asked questions

How do I cross out words in Google Docs?

Select the words and press Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows or a Chromebook, or Cmd + Shift + X on a Mac. You can also use Format > Text > Strikethrough.

How do I cross out words in Docs on a Mac?

Select the text and press Cmd + Shift + X. Press the same keys again to remove the line. The Format > Text > Strikethrough menu works too.

How do I remove strikethrough in Google Docs?

Select the crossed-out text and press the strikethrough shortcut again, or choose Format > Text > Strikethrough. Ctrl + \ clears all text formatting, including strikethrough.

How do I cross words out in Word?

Select the text and select Home > Strikethrough. For a double line, open the Font dialog from the Home tab and choose Double strikethrough.

How do I cross words out in Excel?

Select the cells, open Home and select Font Settings in the Font group to show the Format Cells dialog, tick Strikethrough and select OK. Repeat the steps and clear the box to remove the line again.

How do I cross words out in Discord?

Put two tildes before and after the text, like ~~this~~. Discord shows it with a line through it when you send the message.

Can Google Docs cross out checklist items automatically?

Yes. Use Format > Bullets & numbering > Checklist and pick the style with strike-through. Ticking an item then crosses it out.

Why is my strikethrough shortcut not working?

Check you selected the text and used the right keys for your system. A browser extension or keyboard layout may also capture the shortcut, so test with Format > Text > Strikethrough.

Conclusion

Use Alt + Shift + 5 (Cmd + Shift + X on Mac) to cross words out, and fall back to Format > Text > Strikethrough when the shortcut is not handy. The shortcut toggles the line on and off in one step, while the Format menu works on every computer and shows the shortcut beside the command.