To remove strikethrough in Excel, simply select the cells with the strikethrough formatting, go to the “Home” tab on the Excel ribbon, locate the “Font” group, and click on the strikethrough button (which has a letter “abc” with a line through it). This will immediately remove the strikethrough from the selected cells.
After you’ve completed this action, the selected text will return to its normal state without the line through it, making it cleaner and easier to read.
Introduction
Ever found yourself staring at an Excel spreadsheet full of crossed-out text? Strikethrough, which is text with a line through it, is a handy way to mark items as complete or to indicate that they should be ignored. But what if you’ve applied strikethrough to a cell in Excel and now need to remove it? Perhaps you accidentally struck through some important text, or maybe the task you marked as complete is back on the table.
Knowing how to remove strikethrough in Excel is essential for anyone who frequently works with spreadsheets. It’s a simple process, but one that many Excel users may not be familiar with. This task is relevant to a wide range of people, from students organizing their study schedule, to professionals managing project timelines, to anyone trying to keep track of a personal to-do list. So let’s dive in and learn how to clean up our Excel sheets!
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Remove Strikethrough in Excel
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand what we’re aiming for. By following these steps, you’ll be able to remove the strikethrough formatting from any cell in an Excel worksheet, leaving you with clear and unmarked text.
Step 1: Select the cells with strikethrough
Click on the cell or cells containing the strikethrough that you wish to remove.
Selecting the correct cells is crucial because Excel will apply changes to all the cells you’ve highlighted. If you only want to remove strikethrough from specific cells, make sure only those cells are selected.
Step 2: Access the Font group on the Home tab
Navigate to the “Home” tab on the Excel ribbon to find the “Font” group where the strikethrough option resides.
The “Home” tab is where most of Excel’s formatting options are located, including all the tools you need to change text appearance.
Step 3: Click on the strikethrough button
In the Font group, click on the strikethrough button, which looks like the letters “abc” with a line through them, to remove the strikethrough formatting.
When you click the strikethrough button while cells with strikethrough are selected, Excel toggles the formatting off, leaving the text in those cells plain.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Simplifies the worksheet | Removing strikethrough makes your worksheet look cleaner and reduces visual clutter, helping you focus on the important data. |
| Increases readability | Strikethrough can make text harder to read. Removing it ensures that all users can easily read cell contents without confusion. |
| Reversibility | The ability to remove strikethrough means you can use this formatting temporarily, knowing you can easily revert cells back to their original state if needed. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Accidental removal | It’s possible to accidentally remove strikethrough, especially if you’re working quickly, which could lead to confusion if the formatting was intentional. |
| Limited undo history | If you don’t notice an accidental removal right away, Excel’s limited undo history might not allow you to revert the changes. |
| Over-reliance on visual cues | Relying too heavily on strikethrough for organization can be problematic if the formatting is removed, as there may be no other indication of a cell’s status. |
Additional Information
When working with strikethrough in Excel, it’s important to remember that this formatting is purely visual and doesn’t affect the data within the cell. This means that if you’re using strikethrough to indicate completed tasks or irrelevant data, removing the strikethrough won’t change the cell’s content or value.
Additionally, if you’re collaborating with others on a shared Excel document, it’s a good practice to communicate about the use and removal of strikethrough to avoid confusion. You might also consider alternative methods for tracking completion, such as using a separate column with checkboxes or setting up conditional formatting to strike through text automatically based on certain criteria.
Summary
- Select the cells with strikethrough.
- Go to the “Home” tab and locate the “Font” group.
- Click the strikethrough button to remove the formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove strikethrough from multiple cells at once?
Yes, you can remove strikethrough from multiple cells by selecting all the cells you want to change and then following the same steps.
What if the strikethrough button is not clickable?
If the strikethrough button is grayed out, it’s likely that the cells you’ve selected are locked or the worksheet is protected. You’ll need to unlock the cells or unprotect the sheet to make changes.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to remove strikethrough in Excel?
Yes, you can use the shortcut Ctrl + 5 to toggle strikethrough on or off for selected cells.
Will removing strikethrough affect my data?
No, removing strikethrough is purely a formatting change and does not alter the actual data or values within the cells.
Can I use conditional formatting to automatically remove strikethrough based on certain criteria?
Yes, you can set up conditional formatting rules that apply or remove strikethrough automatically based on the data in your cells.
Conclusion
Removing strikethrough in Excel is a quick and easy way to tidy up your spreadsheets and make your data more accessible. Whether you’re a student, professional, or just trying to stay organized, mastering this simple skill can save you time and frustration.
Remember, communication is key when working with others, and there are always alternative methods to track your information if strikethrough doesn’t fit your needs. Keep experimenting with Excel’s many features and never hesitate to seek out additional resources to become a true spreadsheet whiz.