5 Easy Steps to Strikethrough Text in Outlook Email

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Strikethrough text in Outlook

Have you ever wanted to strikethrough text in an Outlook email but couldn’t figure out how to do it? If yes, then you’re in the right place. When you’re communicating virtually, it’s not always easy to convey the sarcasm, seriousness, or tone you intend to use in your message. Therefore, strikethrough can come in handy when you want to emphasize or express something in a humorous or sarcastic way. Fortunately, Outlook gives you the option to strikethrough text, making it easier to communicate your message effectively. However, finding the strikethrough option can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with Outlook’s interface. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to strikethrough text in Outlook email effortlessly, ensuring that your messages carry the intended meaning.

To initiate the strikethrough process, compose a new email or open an existing one in Outlook. Once you’ve entered the email body, highlight the text you wish to strikethrough. The next step is to locate the strikethrough button. However, if you can’t find the strikethrough button, don’t worry; it’s hidden within the Font group on the Home tab. Once you’ve found the Font group, look for the strikethrough button, which resembles the letter “S” with a line through it. Click the button, and voila! Your selected text will be adorned with a strikethrough, adding emphasis and clarity to your message. Additionally, you can utilize keyboard shortcuts for quicker access: press Ctrl + Shift + D (Windows) or Command + Shift + X (Mac) to strikethrough text.

In conclusion, Outlook’s strikethrough feature is a valuable tool for conveying emphasis and tone in your emails. Whether you want to highlight important information, add a touch of sarcasm, or simply cross out a mistake, the strikethrough option has got you covered. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can effortlessly add strikethrough to text in your Outlook emails, ensuring that your messages are clear, concise, and impactful. So, next time you want to strikethrough text in Outlook, remember the Font group on the Home tab and the convenient keyboard shortcuts. With these tools at your disposal, you’ll be able to communicate your intended message effectively and leave a lasting impression on your recipients.

Accessing the Strikethrough Option

Microsoft Outlook offers various text formatting options, including strikethrough, which allows you to cross out specific words or phrases in your emails. Utilizing the strikethrough feature is a simple and useful way to highlight important information or draw attention to changes or errors.

There are multiple ways to access the strikethrough option in Outlook. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to do it:

Ribbon Interface

The Ribbon interface provides a quick and straightforward method to apply strikethrough to your text.

  1. Compose an email or open an existing one.
  2. Highlight the text you want to strike through.
  3. Locate the “Font” group on the “Message” tab in the Ribbon.
  4. Click the “Strikethrough” button, represented by the letter “S” with a line through it.
  5. The selected text will now appear with a strikethrough line.

    Keyboard Shortcut

    For rapid access, you can use the dedicated keyboard shortcut to apply strikethrough:

    • Windows: Ctrl + Shift + D
    • Mac: Cmd + Shift + X

      Right-Click Menu

      If you prefer using the context menu, follow these steps:

      1. Highlight the text you want to strike through.
      2. Right-click and select “Font” from the menu.
      3. Check the box next to “Strikethrough.”
      4. Click “OK” to apply the strikethrough to your text.

        Using the Keyboard Shortcut

        The fastest and most convenient way to strikethrough text in Outlook email is by using a keyboard shortcut. Here are the steps:

        1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.

        2. Press the following key combination:

        Keyboard Shortcut Windows and Outlook for Mac
        Strikethrough Ctrl + Shift + ~

        3. The selected text will be automatically strikethrough.

        Note: If the keyboard shortcut is not working, it may be disabled in your Outlook settings. To enable it:

        • Go to File > Options.
        • Click on “Customize Keyboard” in the left-hand menu.
        • In the “Categories” list, select “All Commands.”
        • Scroll down and find the “Strikethrough” command.
        • Click on the “Add” button to add the keyboard shortcut to your Outlook profile.

        Utilizing the Ribbon Menu

        Within Outlook’s user-friendly interface, the essential strikethrough feature is conveniently accessible via the Ribbon Menu, a prominent arrangement of tabs at the program’s pinnacle. To activate this tool, simply navigate to the “Ribbon Menu” and locate the “Font” group within the “Home” tab. This area houses a wide range of font-related options, including strikethrough, and is easily identifiable by its distinctive formatting icons. Once you have identified the “Font” group, seek the “Strikethrough” icon, typically depicted as a letter “A” adorned with a horizontal line running through its center. With a single click on this icon, the selected text will be transformed, adorned with a horizontal line that effectively crosses out the content and visually indicates its importance.

        Keyboard Shortcuts: A Swift and Efficient Alternative

        Shortcut Description
        Ctrl + Shift + X Applies strikethrough to selected text

        Customizing the Keyboard Shortcut: Tailoring Outlook to Your Needs

        Outlook’s default keyboard shortcuts streamline the strikethrough process, but if you seek a more personalized experience, customization is at your fingertips. Embark on the following steps to tailor the keyboard shortcut to your preference:

        1. Navigate to “File” and select “Options” from the Outlook menu.
        2. Locate and select “Customize Ribbon” from the left-hand pane.
        3. Under “Choose commands from,” select “All Commands” to display a comprehensive list of available commands.
        4. Scroll down and locate the “Strikethrough” command.
        5. Click inside the “Press new shortcut key” field and press your desired key combination.
        6. Click “Assign” to confirm your new keyboard shortcut.
        7. Select “OK” to save your changes and return to the main Outlook window.

        Applying Strikethrough to Specific Text

        To strikethrough a specific portion of text, follow these steps:

        1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
        2. Right-click and select “Font” from the context menu.
        3. In the “Font” dialog box, select the “Strikethrough” checkbox under “Effects”.
        4. Click “OK” to apply the strikethrough.

        HTML Table for Clarity:

        Step Action
        1 Highlight the text to be strikethrough.
        2 Right-click and select “Font”.
        3 Check the “Strikethrough” checkbox.
        4 Click “OK” to apply the formatting.

        Note: You can also apply strikethrough using keyboard shortcuts: Windows users can press “Ctrl” + “T”, and Mac users can press “Cmd” + “Shift” + “X”.

        Removing Strikethrough Formatting

        To remove strikethrough formatting from selected text in Outlook Email, follow these steps:

        1. Select the text with strikethrough formatting.

        2. Click the “Font” group in the Home tab.

        3. Click the “Strikethrough” button (crossed out “S”) to toggle strikethrough off.

        Keyboard Shortcut

        You can also use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + Shift + X” to remove strikethrough formatting. Simply select the text and press the key combination.

        Using the Ribbon

        If you prefer to use the Ribbon, follow these steps:

        1. Select the text with strikethrough formatting.

        2. Click the “Home” tab.

        3. In the “Font” group, click the drop-down arrow next to the strikethrough button.

        4. Select “None” from the drop-down menu.

        Using Letter to Format Strikethrough

        You can also use the letter “S” with a tilde (~) on both sides to create strikethrough formatting. Place the tilde character before and after the text you want to strikethrough, as shown below:

        Sample Code Output
        ~~Strikethrough Text~~ Strikethrough Text

        Troubleshooting Strikethrough Issues

        If you’re having trouble getting strikethrough to work in Outlook, here are a few things to try:

        1. Make sure you’re using the right keyboard shortcut

        The keyboard shortcut for strikethrough is Ctrl + Shift + ~/Ctrl + Shift + / (Mac). If you’re using a different keyboard shortcut, it might not work.

        2. Check your email format

        Strikethrough only works in HTML email format. If you’re using plain text email format, you won’t be able to use strikethrough.

        3. Update your Outlook version

        If you’re using an older version of Outlook, you might not have the strikethrough feature. Update to the latest version of Outlook to get the latest features.

        4. Disable add-ins

        Some add-ins can interfere with Outlook’s formatting features. Try disabling your add-ins to see if that solves the problem.

        5. Restart Outlook

        Sometimes, simply restarting Outlook can fix formatting issues. Close Outlook and then open it again to see if that solves the problem.

        6. Check your antivirus software

        Some antivirus software can block Outlook from using certain formatting features. Try disabling your antivirus software to see if that solves the problem. If disabling your antivirus software solves the problem, you can add Outlook to the list of trusted applications in your antivirus software settings.

        Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

        For those who prefer using keyboard shortcuts, Outlook allows you to customize them for strikethrough.

        1. Click on the “File” tab in Outlook.

        2. Select “Options” from the left-hand menu.

        3. Under “Customize Ribbon,” click on the “Keyboard Shortcuts:” button.

        4. In the “Customize Keyboard” dialog box, select the “Commands” tab.

        5. In the “Categories:” list, select “Font.”

        6. In the “Commands:” list, scroll down and select “Strikethrough.”

        7. In the “Press new shortcut key:” field, enter the keyboard shortcut you want to use for strikethrough. For example, you could use “Ctrl + S.”

        7.1. If the shortcut you enter is already assigned to another command, Outlook will display a warning message. You can either choose to reassign the shortcut or select a different one.

        7.2. If you are satisfied with the shortcut you have selected, click on the “Assign” button.

        7.3. Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.

        Your customized keyboard shortcut for strikethrough will now be applied.

        Keyboard Shortcut Action
        Ctrl + S Strikethrough

        Strikethrough in HTML Emails

        To strikethrough text in an HTML email, use the <strike> tag. This tag draws a line through the text, indicating that it has been deleted or is no longer relevant.

        To use the <strike> tag, simply place it around the text you want to strikethrough, like this:


        <body>
        <p>This is a sample email.</p>
        <p><strike>This is a line of text that has been deleted.</strike></p>
        <p>This is another paragraph of text.</p>
        </body>

        When you send this email, the line of text that has been deleted will be displayed with a line drawn through it.

        Browser Support
        Chrome Yes
        Firefox Yes
        Safari Yes
        Edge Yes
        Internet Explorer No

        Note: The <strike> tag is not supported in Internet Explorer. If you need to strikethrough text in an email that will be viewed in Internet Explorer, you can use the <del> tag instead.

        Accessibility Considerations

        Ensuring your email messages are accessible to all recipients is crucial. Strikethrough text can be challenging for screen readers and people with low vision to navigate, so it’s essential to use it judiciously.

        Here are some best practices to consider:

        • Use strikethrough sparingly, only when necessary to indicate deleted or obsolete content.
        • Avoid using strikethrough as a design element, such as for emphasis or decoration.
        • Provide alternative text or descriptions for strikethrough text to make its meaning clear to screen readers.
        • Use clear and high-contrast colors for strikethrough text to ensure visibility.
        • Avoid using strikethrough on long blocks of text, as this can be overwhelming and difficult to read.
        • Consider using alternative formatting options, such as highlighting or graying out text, which are more accessible for people with low vision.
        • Test your emails with assistive technology tools, such as screen readers, to ensure they are accessible.
        • Use semantic HTML markup to indicate strikethrough text, such as or tags.
        • Provide a logical reading order for strikethrough text using appropriate HTML elements and ARIA attributes.
          • Accessibility Feature Recommendation
          Screen Reader Compatibility Use alternative text or descriptions for strikethrough text, and test your emails with assistive technology tools.
          Low Vision Considerations Use clear and high-contrast colors, avoid large blocks of strikethrough text, and consider alternative formatting options.
          Cognitive Accessibility Use strikethrough sparingly, and provide a clear and concise explanation of its meaning within the email content.

          Best Practices for Using Strikethrough

          Strikethrough can be a useful way to indicate that text is no longer relevant or important. However, it is important to use strikethrough sparingly, as it can make text difficult to read and understand.

          Here are a few best practices for using strikethrough:

          1. Use strikethrough to indicate that text is no longer relevant or important.

          For example, you might use strikethrough to cross out an item on a to-do list that has been completed. You might also use strikethrough to cross out a section of text that is no longer relevant or accurate.

          2. Use strikethrough sparingly.

          If you use strikethrough too much, it can make text difficult to read and understand. Stick to using strikethrough only when it is necessary to indicate that text is no longer relevant or important.

          3. Use strikethrough consistently.

          If you use strikethrough, make sure to use it consistently throughout your document. This will help to make your document easier to read and understand.

          4. Use a contrasting color for strikethrough.

          If possible, use a contrasting color for strikethrough. This will help to make the strikethrough text more visible and easier to read.

          5. Use strikethrough on short sections of text.

          If you need to strikethrough a large section of text, consider using a different formatting option, such as deleting the text or hiding it using a comment.

          6. Avoid using strikethrough on headings or other important text.

          Strikethrough is not a good option for formatting headings or other important text. This is because strikethrough can make text difficult to read and understand.

          7. Use strikethrough with caution in emails.

          Strikethrough can be a useful way to indicate that text is no longer relevant or important in emails. However, it is important to use strikethrough sparingly in emails, as it can make text difficult to read and understand.

          8. Consider using other formatting options instead of strikethrough.

          If you are unsure whether to use strikethrough, consider using other formatting options instead, such as bold, italics, or underlining.

          9. Use strikethrough to create a sense of urgency.

          In some cases, you can use strikethrough to create a sense of urgency. For example, you might use strikethrough to cross out a deadline that is approaching.

          10. Use strikethrough to highlight important information.

          You can also use strikethrough to highlight important information. For example, you might use strikethrough to cross out a key point that you want to emphasize.

          Here is a table summarizing the best practices for using strikethrough:

          Best Practice Description
          Use strikethrough to indicate that text is no longer relevant or important. This can be useful for crossing out items on to-do lists or sections of text that are no longer accurate.
          Use strikethrough sparingly. Using strikethrough too much can make text difficult to read and understand.
          Use strikethrough consistently. This will help to make your document easier to read and understand.
          Use a contrasting color for strikethrough. This will help to make the strikethrough text more visible and easier to read.
          Use strikethrough on short sections of text. If you need to strikethrough a large section of text, consider using a different formatting option, such as deleting the text or hiding it using a comment.
          Avoid using strikethrough on headings or other important text. Strikethrough can make text difficult to read and understand, so it is best to avoid using it on headings or other important text.
          Use strikethrough with caution in emails. Strikethrough can be useful in emails, but it is important to use it sparingly and only when necessary.
          Consider using other formatting options instead of strikethrough. If you are unsure whether to use strikethrough, consider using other formatting options instead, such as bold, italics, or underlining.
          Use strikethrough to create a sense of urgency. Crossing out a deadline with strikethrough can help to create a sense of urgency.
          Use strikethrough to highlight important information. Crossing out important information with strikethrough can help to make it stand out.

          How to Strikethrough in Outlook Email

          Step-by-Step Guide

          If you want to strikethrough text in an Outlook email message, follow these steps:

          1. Compose a new message or reply to an existing one.
          2. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
          3. Click the “Strikethrough” button on the formatting toolbar (it looks like an S with a horizontal line through it).

          Using Keyboard Shortcuts

          You can also use keyboard shortcuts to strikethrough text:

          • **Windows:** Ctrl + Shift + D
          • **Mac:** ⌘ + Shift + D

          People Also Ask

          How do I strikethrough in Outlook 2010?

          The steps for strikethrough in Outlook 2010 are the same as described above for later versions of Outlook.

          How do I strikethrough in Outlook 365?

          The strikethrough feature is available in all versions of Outlook 365, including Outlook for Windows, Mac, and web.

          Why can’t I strikethrough in Outlook?

          If you can’t strikethrough text in Outlook, make sure that your Outlook version is up to date and that you have permission to edit the message.