Excel Keyboard Shortcut for Strikethrough: Practical Guide
A comprehensive guide to applying strikethrough formatting in Excel using keyboard shortcuts on Windows and macOS, plus fallback methods, scripts, and best practices for consistent formatting across worksheets.
Excel's built-in shortcut to toggle strikethrough on Windows is Ctrl+5, applying or removing the Strikethrough font effect for the active selection. On macOS, there isn't a universal default key; you must use the Format Cells dialog (Ctrl+1 on Windows, Cmd+1 on Mac) and select Strikethrough, or create a custom shortcut. This Shortcuts Lib guide covers practical workarounds and best practices.
Understanding the need for a strikethrough shortcut in Excel
In the realm of data presentation, strikethrough is more than a cosmetic touch. It communicates that a value was reconsidered, deprecated, or superseded, without erasing it from the sheet. For keyboard-driven workflows, a reliable shortcut saves time and reduces context switching between the keyboard and mouse. Excel users who handle large data sets, financial models, or audit trails benefit from a consistent method to mark entries without breaking data integrity. According to Shortcuts Lib, a disciplined approach to formatting—including a quick strikethrough shortcut—helps maintain readability and reduces errors in datasets that evolve over time. While not every version exposes a single keystroke for this formatting, the combination of built‑in shortcuts, UI workflows, and automation provides a robust, cross-platform path to keep your sheets clean and legible.
Why speed matters: when you’re vetting rows and columns, the faster you can annotate changes, the less you disrupt your thought process. A one-key toggle lets you convey intent without altering underlying values. That is especially useful in collaborative environments where multiple people review the same workbook. In this section, we’ll explore Windows and macOS realities, plus practical automation strategies using VBA for desktop Excel and Office Scripts for the web edition.
' VBA: Simple toggle for the current selection
Sub ToggleStrikethroughSelection()
Dim cell As Range
For Each cell In Selection
cell.Font.Strikethrough = Not cell.Font.Strikethrough
Next cell
End SubWhat this code does: The macro iterates over each cell in the current selection and flips the Strikethrough font property. If you regularly apply strikethrough to multiple cells, you can assign this macro to a shortcut or a quick-access toolbar button for near-instant toggling.
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Steps
Estimated time: 15-25 minutes
- 1
Select target cells
Highlight the cells where you want to apply or remove strikethrough. You can select a range, an entire row, or a single cell.
Tip: Use Shift+Arrow keys to extend the selection quickly. - 2
Choose your path
If you prefer a direct keystroke, use the Windows Ctrl+5 shortcut. If you’re on Mac, decide whether to use the Format Cells dialog or a custom shortcut.
Tip: On Mac, you may need to configure a system shortcut for Strikethrough. - 3
Apply Strikethrough
Press Ctrl+5 (Windows) or use the UI path: Ctrl+1 → Font → Strikethrough, then click OK (or press Enter).
Tip: Check the font pane to confirm the Strikethrough state. - 4
Verify your changes
Inspect the selected cells to ensure the Strikethrough is visible only where intended and that data remains intact.
Tip: If you can’t see the change, ensure the Font tab is correctly selected in the Format Cells dialog. - 5
Document the rule
If you standardize strikethrough usage in a template, document the steps and share them with teammates.
Tip: Add a quick legend to the sheet header for readers. - 6
Automate for consistency
Consider a macro or Office Script to apply strikethroughs across templates to maintain uniform formatting.
Tip: Automations reduce drift across reports and dashboards.
Prerequisites
Required
- Required
- Basic keyboard shortcut familiarityRequired
Optional
- Developer tab enabled for VBA editing (Windows/macOS)Optional
- Office Scripts access for Excel on the webOptional
- Optional: AutoHotkey (Windows) or System Shortcuts for macOSOptional
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle Strikethrough in the active selectionWindows: toggles the Strikethrough font attribute on the selected cells. Mac: no built-in default shortcut; use the UI or a custom shortcut. | Ctrl+5 |
| Open Format Cells dialogOpen the Font tab to enable Strikethrough; then apply to the current selection. | Ctrl+1 |
Questions & Answers
Does Excel have a universal built-in shortcut for Strikethrough on Mac?
There isn't a universal built-in Mac shortcut for Strikethrough in Excel. Use the Format Cells dialog or create a custom keyboard shortcut for the action.
There isn’t a universal Mac shortcut; you can use the Format Cells dialog or set up a custom shortcut.
What if I need to apply strikethrough to many cells at once?
Use a macro (VBA) or Office Script to toggle Strikethrough on a range, then test on a small subset before applying to the full dataset.
Use a macro or Office Script to apply strikethrough to a whole range safely.
Can I customize shortcuts in Excel for Windows or Mac?
Yes. On Windows you can map a macro to a keyboard shortcut, and on Mac you can create a System Shortcuts entry for the Strikethrough command or rely on a script.
You can map or create a shortcut via macros or system shortcuts.
Is there a recommended workflow to keep formatting consistent across a workbook?
Yes. Define a standard template with pre-applied strikethrough rules, document the steps, and use macros to enforce them across sheets.
Set a standard template and use macros to enforce formatting rules.
What are safe alternatives if Strikethrough is not visible due to styling?
Check font and cell style settings, ensure display is not overridden by conditional formatting, and verify font support in your Excel version.
If Strikethrough isn’t visible, confirm font and style settings and check conditional formats.
Main Points
- Use Ctrl+5 on Windows to toggle Strikethrough quickly
- Mac users should rely on the Format Cells dialog or a custom shortcut
- Office Scripts can automate strikethrough in Excel for the web
- Always test on a sample sheet before applying broadly