How to Strikethrough Text in Every App
Most editors have a shortcut or a syntax for crossing out text. Where an app has none (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, bios and usernames) use the strikethrough text generator instead.
Word processors and spreadsheets
| App | Windows | Mac | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Alt+H, then 4 | ⌘+Shift+X | Or click the ab strikethrough button on the Home ribbon. Double strikethrough is under Font settings. |
| Google Docs | Alt+Shift+5 | ⌘+Shift+X | Also Format → Text → Strikethrough. |
| Microsoft Excel | Ctrl+5 | ⌘+Shift+X | Applies to the whole cell, or to selected text while editing the cell. |
| Google Sheets | Alt+Shift+5 | ⌘+Shift+X | Same as Docs. |
| Outlook (desktop) | Format Text → ab button | Format → Font → Strikethrough | No default shortcut in classic Outlook; new Outlook follows Word. |
| Gmail | Alt+Shift+5 | ⌘+Shift+X | In the compose window with formatting options shown. |
| Apple Pages / Notes | — | Format menu → Font → Strikethrough | Notes also has it in the Aa formatting menu on iPhone. |
| Notion | Ctrl+Shift+S | ⌘+Shift+S | Or wrap text in ~text~. |
| Obsidian / Markdown editors | ~~text~~ | Standard GitHub-flavoured Markdown. | |
Chat apps and social platforms
| App | How to cross out text | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Discord | Two tildes on each side | ~~crossed out~~ |
| Slack | One tilde on each side, or Ctrl/⌘+Shift+X | ~crossed out~ |
| One tilde on each side | ~crossed out~ | |
| Telegram | Select text → Format → Strikethrough, or Ctrl/⌘+Shift+X on desktop | — |
| Two tildes (Markdown mode) or the toolbar button | ~~crossed out~~ | |
| GitHub, GitLab, Stack Overflow | Two tildes | ~~crossed out~~ |
| Microsoft Teams | Toolbar button or Ctrl/⌘+Shift+X | — |
| HTML | <s> for no-longer-accurate text, <del> for deletions | <s>old price</s> |
| Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn | No syntax. Paste Unicode strikethrough from the generator. | c̶r̶o̶s̶s̶e̶d̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶ |
Which method should I use?
Use the app's own strikethrough whenever it has one: the text stays searchable and readable by screen readers, and it renders cleanly in the app's font. Use Unicode strikethrough only where there is no alternative, or where you need the cross-out to survive copying into a plain-text field such as a bio, a username or an email subject line.
Double strikethrough
Word and Excel offer a double line under Font settings. For plain text, the generator's Strikethrough + overline and Strikethrough + underline styles give a two-line effect that pastes anywhere.