How to Strikethrough in Google Slides
Strikethrough is one of those small formatting details that makes a presentation look more professional… This guide covers every way to add a strikethrough in Google Slides: the menu method, the keyboard shortcut for both Mac and Windows, how to do it on mobile, and how to remove it again once you’re done. Whether you’re crossing out a single word or a full line, here’s exactly how strikethrough in Google Slides works.
Quick answer: Select your text, click Format > Text > Strikethrough in the menu bar, or use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ + Shift + X on Mac or Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows. Full steps, mobile instructions, and how to remove it are below.
What Is Strikethrough Text?
Strikethrough — also called cross out text or a line through text — is a horizontal line drawn through the middle of a word or sentence. It’s commonly used to show that text has been removed, corrected, or completed, while keeping the original text still visible and readable. You’ll see it used on to-do list slides, pricing comparisons, and tracked-changes-style presentations.
How to Add Strikethrough in Google Slides on Desktop
- Open your presentation in Google Slides.
- Select and highlight the text you want to cross out by clicking and dragging your mouse over it.
- In the menu bar, click Format.
- Hover over Text.
- Click Strikethrough.
Once applied, strikethrough in Google Slides shows immediately as a horizontal line through your selected text.
You can also combine strikethrough with bold, italic, or underline from the same Format > Text menu if you want the crossed-out text to stand out even more.
Google Slides Strikethrough Shortcut
If you’re formatting text often, the keyboard shortcut is much faster than going through the menu each time.
To save time while making the presentation slides users can also use the shortcut-
- For Mac – Select the text and press “⌘ + Shift + X” from the keyboard for Strikethrough on Google Slides.
- For Windows – Select the text and press “ALT + SHIFT + 5” keyboard shortcut to cross out text.
Just select the text first, then press the shortcut for your operating system — no need to open the Format menu at all.
How to Cross Out Text in Google Slides on Mobile (Android & iOS)
The Google Slides mobile app supports strikethrough too, though there’s no dedicated toolbar icon for it — you’ll add it through the text formatting menu.
- Open your presentation in the Google Slides app.
- Tap the text box containing the text you want to cross out, then double-tap to select the specific text.
- Tap the text formatting icon (the “A” with lines, usually in the top toolbar).
- Look for the Strikethrough (S) option and tap it.
If you don’t see a strikethrough icon directly, check under an expanded “more options” or “…” menu next to the text formatting tools — mobile layouts vary slightly by app version and screen size.
How to Remove Strikethrough in Google Slides
Removing strikethrough in Google Slides works the same way as adding it — it’s a toggle, not a separate setting.
- Select the text with the strikethrough formatting applied.
- Click Format > Text > Strikethrough again to switch it off, or use the same keyboard shortcut (⌘ + Shift + X on Mac, Alt + Shift + 5 on Windows).
The line will disappear and the text will return to its normal formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a strikethrough button in the Google Slides toolbar?
Not by default. Unlike bold, italic, and underline, strikethrough doesn’t have its own icon in the standard toolbar — you’ll need to use the Format menu or the keyboard shortcut.
Does the strikethrough shortcut work the same in Google Docs and Sheets?
Yes, ⌘ + Shift + X (Mac) and Alt + Shift + 5 (Windows) apply strikethrough across Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. If you also work in Docs, see our full guide on strikethrough in Google Docs for extra options like colored and double strikethrough.
Can I make a double strikethrough line in Google Slides?
Not natively — Google Slides only supports a single strikethrough line. For a double line effect, you’d need to manually draw a second line over the text using the Line tool under Insert.
That covers every method for adding, styling, and removing strikethrough text in Google Slides — on desktop or mobile, with or without the keyboard shortcut.