Google Slides includes strikethrough formatting but Google hides it well enough that many users assume the feature does not exist. There is no visible toolbar button, and the option does not appear anywhere obvious until you know exactly where to look.
Once you find it, applying strikethrough takes a single keyboard shortcut. Here is how to do it on Windows, Mac, and mobile in 2026.
Fastest method keyboard shortcut
- Highlight the text you want to strikethrough
- Windows / Chromebook:
Alt + Shift + 5 - Mac:
Cmd + Shift + X - Press the same shortcut again to remove it
Keyboard Shortcut : Windows, Mac & Chromebook
Most people end up using the shortcut after trying the menu once. It is faster and works without taking your hands off the keyboard.
Alt + Shift + 5 Windows & Chromebook
Cmd + Shift + X Mac
Select your text, press the shortcut and you’re done.. The same shortcut remove it. select the formatted text and press again to toggle off.
Shortcut not working? Make sure you have selected text pressing the shortcut. Clicking inside a text box without highlighting anything will not apply formatting. On some Windows keyboards, Alt+Shift+5 conflicts with language input settings. If that happens, use the Format menu below.
Format menu reliable on any device
If shortcuts are not your preference, or you are using a device where the shortcut conflicts with system settings, the Format menu always works.
- Select the text you want to strikethrough.
- Click Format in the top menu bar.
- Hover over Text.
- Click Strikethrough.
To remove it, select the text and follow the same path it toggles off the same way it was applied.
Mobile Google Slides app iOS & Android
Keyboard shortcuts are not available on the Google Slides mobile app, but strikethrough is still accessible through the Format panel.
- Tap and hold on the text until selection handles appear.
- Drag the handles to highlight the text you want.
- Tap the Format icon, the letter A with horizontal lines in the top toolbar.
- Tap Text.
- Tap Strikethrough.
Tap Strikethrough a second time with the text selected to remove it.
Format icon not visible? Tap anywhere on the slide to enter edit mode, then tap inside the text box. The toolbar with the Format icon should appear at the top of your screen.
Quick reference for all platforms
| Platform | Shortcut | Menu path |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Alt + Shift + 5 | Format → Text → Strikethrough |
| Mac | Cmd + Shift + X | Format → Text → Strikethrough |
| Chromebook | Alt + Shift + 5 | Format → Text → Strikethrough |
| iOS / Android | Not available | Format icon → Text → Strikethrough |
When strikethrough is actually useful in presentations
Most people associate strikethrough with document editing but it shows up in presentations more often than you might expect, particularly when revision history needs to stay visible rather than disappear.
- Project update slides: crossing out completed tasks while keeping the full list visible
- Revised pricing or timelines: showing the old figure struck through beside the new one
- Before-and-after comparisons: demonstrating what changed in a process or design
- Brainstorming sessions: eliminating ideas visually without deleting them from the slide
- Classroom presentations: teaching editing and proofreading with visible markup
One thing presentation reviewers notice quickly is inconsistent formatting between slides even small differences in styling make decks feel less polished. Strikethrough used deliberately on a few key elements reads as intentional. Used randomly across different slides in different sizes and colours, it looks like an editing error.
Pro tips for using strikethrough well
Do not overuse it. A few crossed-out words create emphasis. Full paragraphs with strikethrough become difficult to read from a distance, which defeats the purpose in a live presentation.
Pair with muted colours for better readability. Strikethrough on dark text over a light background is clear. Strikethrough on already-light or coloured text can disappear visually. Changing the text colour to grey before applying strikethrough makes crossed-out content obviously secondary without being distracting.
Keep formatting consistent across the deck. Text formatting tends to look messy fastest on overcrowded slides. Using structured free Google Slides templates with predefined text layouts makes consistency much easier especially in longer business or educational decks where formatting decisions multiply quickly across many slides.
For scientific or academic content requiring precise text markup, see our guide on adding superscript and subscript in Google Slides. For the complete reference on text formatting options, see Google’s official text formatting documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a strikethrough button in Google Slides?
No visible toolbar button exists. Use the keyboard shortcut (Alt+Shift+5 on Windows, Cmd+Shift+X on Mac) or go to Format → Text → Strikethrough. Most people end up using the shortcut after trying the menu once.
What is the keyboard shortcut for strikethrough in Google Slides?
Windows and Chromebook: Alt+Shift+5. Mac: Cmd+Shift+X. Select your text first, then press the shortcut. Press it again with the same text selected to remove the formatting.
How do I remove strikethrough in Google Slides?
Select the strikethrough text and apply the same method you used to add it shortcut or Format menu. Both act as toggles. The line disappears and the text returns to normal.
Does strikethrough work in the Google Slides mobile app?
Yes. Tap and hold to select text, tap the Format icon (the letter A with lines) in the toolbar, tap Text, then tap Strikethrough. Keyboard shortcuts are not available on mobile but the Format icon path works on both iOS and Android.
Can I apply strikethrough to multiple text boxes at once?
Not simultaneously Google Slides applies text formatting one text box at a time. Select all text in the first box (Ctrl+A / Cmd+A), apply the formatting, then repeat for each box. For consistent styling across many slides, editing the Slide Master (View → Theme builder) is more efficient.
Can I combine strikethrough with bold or italics?
Yes, Google Slides supports multiple formatting styles on the same text simultaneously. Apply strikethrough alongside bold (Ctrl+B), italics (Ctrl+I), underline (Ctrl+U), and text colour all at once. Stacking too many effects on the same text usually reduces rather than increases readability, so use combinations deliberately.
Why is my strikethrough shortcut not working?
Four common causes: (1) No text selected highlight it first. (2) Alt+Shift+5 conflicts with language input settings on some Windows keyboards use the Format menu. (3) On Mac, another application may have claimed Cmd+Shift+X as a global shortcut. (4) In older Chrome versions, browser shortcuts occasionally override Slides the Format menu path always works as a fallback.
