This FAQ covers 3 common question types about strikethrough in spreadsheets: finding the entry point, understanding formatting differences, and removing the effect.
FAQ
What is the difference between strikethrough and underline?
- Strikethrough adds a horizontal line through the middle of text and is often used for canceled, invalid, or no-longer-used content.
- Underline adds a line below the text and is often used for emphasis or marking content to keep.
- If you want to show that content is canceled but still kept for reference, strikethrough is usually the better choice.
Why can’t I see the strikethrough effect after I click it?
- Make sure you selected the target cell or the specific text inside the cell first.
- Check whether you are formatting the whole cell content or only part of the text.
- Apply strikethrough again, or use the font option in Format Cells to set it.
How do I remove strikethrough after applying it?
- Select the text or cell that already has strikethrough.
- Click Strikethrough again on the Home tab, or open font settings and clear the Strikethrough checkbox.
- Confirm that the line is gone, then continue editing or save the file.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Strikethrough | A text-formatting effect that shows a horizontal line through the middle of text to indicate deletion or invalid content. |
| Font settings | The settings area used to adjust text styles such as font size, style, color, and strikethrough. |
| Format Cells | A spreadsheet feature used to adjust how a cell is displayed, including font, alignment, border, and number settings. |