How to Use the Strikethrough Shortcut in Every Mac App

The quickest way to apply a strikethrough on a Mac depends entirely on the application you are using, as macOS does not feature a universal, system-wide shortcut for this formatting. In most modern productivity suites like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, the standard keyboard shortcut is Command (⌘) + Shift + X. However, for Apple’s native apps like Notes or Pages, you often have to rely on manual menu navigation or create your own custom shortcut.

The Most Common Strikethrough Shortcuts on macOS

For users who need an immediate answer, here is a list of the default shortcuts for the most popular Mac applications:

• Google Docs: Command (⌘) + Shift + X
• Microsoft Word: Command (⌘) + Shift + X
• Microsoft Excel: Command (⌘) + Shift + X (In some versions, Control + 5 also works)
• Microsoft PowerPoint: Requires opening the Font dialog with Command (⌘) + T
• Apple Stickies: Command (⌘) + Shift + T
• Evernote: Control (⌃) + Command (⌘) + K
• OneNote: Control (⌃) + Command (⌘) + - (Minus key)
• Slack: Command (⌘) + Shift + X

If the application you are using is not on this list, it likely requires a manual action through the format menu. Below, we break down exactly how to navigate these settings and how to force macOS to give you a shortcut where one doesn't exist.

Strikethrough in Microsoft Office for Mac

Microsoft has done a relatively good job of standardizing shortcuts across its Mac versions of Office 365. In our tests, the transition from Windows to Mac in the Office environment often causes confusion because Windows users are accustomed to Alt + H + 4.

Microsoft Word

In Word for Mac, highlighting your text and pressing Command + Shift + X is the fastest method. If you prefer using the mouse, the strikethrough icon (ab) is located in the Home tab of the ribbon, right next to the Underline (U) icon.

One professional tip we have found useful: if you need to apply "Double Strikethrough," a keyboard shortcut does not exist by default. You must press Command + D to open the Font dialog box, check the "Double strikethrough" box, and click OK.

Microsoft Excel

Excel for Mac is slightly more complex. While Command + Shift + X works for most modern versions, many legacy users still prefer Control + 5. Unlike Word, Excel applies the formatting to the entire cell unless you are in "Edit Mode" (double-clicking the cell), in which case it applies only to the selected string within the cell.

Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint is the outlier in the Office suite. It lacks a direct single-stroke shortcut for strikethrough. To achieve this on a Mac, you must select your text, press Command + T to summon the Font dialog, and then manually check the "Strikethrough" option. For heavy presenters, this is a significant workflow bottleneck, making the "Custom Shortcut" method (discussed later) a necessity.

Mastering Strikethrough in Apple Native Apps

Apple’s own ecosystem—Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Mail, and Notes—strangely lacks a default shortcut for strikethrough. This has been a point of contention for productivity enthusiasts for years.

Apple Pages, Numbers, and Keynote

In the iWork suite, the formatting is buried. You must go to:

1. Format in the top menu bar.
2. Select Font.
3. Click Strikethrough.

In our workflow, we’ve found that using the "Format" sidebar on the right side of the screen is slightly faster than the menu bar. Under the "Text" tab, click the settings gear (cog icon) next to the Bold/Italic/Underline options to find the strikethrough toggle.

Apple Notes and Mail

For Apple Notes, the process is similar. You can right-click the selected text, go to Font, and select Strikethrough. In Apple Mail, while composing a message, you can use the Format Bar (if it's visible) or go to the Format menu > Style > Strikethrough.

Since these are apps where users frequently cross off to-do list items or edit drafts, the lack of a shortcut is particularly glaring. We highly recommend setting up a custom shortcut for these specifically.

How to Create a Custom Strikethrough Shortcut for Any App

If you are tired of clicking through menus, macOS allows you to inject your own shortcut into any application’s menu structure. This is the most powerful "Experience" hack for Mac power users.

Step 1: Identify the Exact Menu Command

Open the app (e.g., Pages) and look for the "Strikethrough" command in the menu bar. You must note the exact spelling and capitalization. In Pages, it is Format > Font > Strikethrough. Note that you only need the final word: "Strikethrough".

Step 2: Access System Settings

Go to the Apple Menu () > System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).

1. Navigate to Keyboard.
2. Click on the Keyboard Shortcuts... button.
3. Select App Shortcuts from the left-hand sidebar.

Step 3: Add the Shortcut

Click the Plus (+) icon.

1. Application: Choose "Pages" (or "All Applications" if you want to try a global approach).
2. Menu Title: Type Strikethrough exactly as it appeared in the app.
3. Keyboard Shortcut: Press the keys you want to use. We recommend Command + Shift + X to keep it consistent with Google Docs and Word.

Step 4: Verify and Restart

Click Done. Return to your app. You should now see the shortcut listed next to the command in the menu. If it doesn't work immediately, restart the application.

Strikethrough in Web Browsers and Markdown Tools

For writers using web-based tools or Markdown editors, the rules change slightly.

Google Docs

As mentioned, Command + Shift + X is the king here. Interestingly, Google Docs on Mac is very responsive to this shortcut, even if the browser itself (like Chrome or Safari) has conflicting extensions.

Slack and Discord

In messaging apps, strikethrough is often used for emphasis or humor.

• Slack: Command + Shift + X works for the rich text editor.
• Discord: Discord uses Markdown. You must wrap your text in double tildes: ~~text~~. There is no default Mac-specific shortcut for this in the desktop app, though some third-party plugins allow it.

Notion

Notion users can use the shortcut Command + Shift + S. This is a departure from the X standard but is very easy to trigger with one hand. Alternatively, you can use the Markdown syntax by typing ~ on both sides of the word.

Using the macOS Font Panel as a Workaround

When an app doesn't have a clear menu item for strikethrough, the macOS Font Panel is your "hidden" ally. This panel is a system-level feature that most rich-text apps support.

1. Highlight your text.
2. Press Command + T. This opens the Fonts window.
3. Look for the Strikethrough button in the toolbar of that window. It looks like an 'S' with a horizontal line.
4. Choose "Single" or "Double" from the dropdown menu attached to that icon.

In our experience, this is particularly useful in older apps or niche text editors that haven't been updated to follow modern macOS UI standards.

Why Use Strikethrough Instead of Deleting?

In professional editing and project management, the strikethrough is more than just a decorative choice. It serves several critical functions:

1. Audit Trails: When editing a colleague's work, striking through text instead of deleting it allows the original author to see what was changed and why.
2. To-Do Lists: Visually crossing off a task provides a psychological "win" and keeps a record of completed work for the day.
3. Humor and Tone: In informal communication, a strikethrough can represent a "thought corrected in real-time," adding nuance to digital text that otherwise lacks inflection.
4. Legal and Technical Writing: In certain industries, striking through text is a formal requirement to show previous versions of a clause or a deprecated piece of code.

Troubleshooting: Why Your Shortcut Isn't Working

If you've set up a shortcut or are using a default one and nothing happens, check the following:

• Shortcut Conflicts: Another app or a macOS System Feature (like a Spotlight shortcut) might be hogging the key combination. Check System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts to see if your chosen keys are assigned elsewhere.
• Text Type: Strikethrough only works in "Rich Text" environments. If you are using a "Plain Text" editor (like a basic configuration of TextEdit), the option will be greyed out or non-existent. You must convert the document to Rich Text first (Command + Shift + T in TextEdit).
• Input Source: Sometimes, using non-English keyboard layouts (like Chinese or French) changes how the Mac interprets the "X" or "S" keys in a shortcut. Try switching to the U.S. English layout to test.
• Application Focus: Ensure the application is actually the "active" window. macOS shortcuts are context-sensitive.

Summary of Strikethrough Shortcuts

Conclusion

While the lack of a universal strikethrough shortcut on Mac is an oversight in the OS's design, the flexibility of macOS allows you to fix this easily. Whether you are using the standard Command + Shift + X in Google Docs or creating a custom trigger for Apple Notes, you can significantly speed up your editing workflow. For most users, the "App Shortcuts" feature in System Settings is the best long-term solution to ensure consistency across all your favorite tools.

FAQ

What is the strikethrough shortcut for Mac in Google Docs?

The shortcut is Command (⌘) + Shift + X. You must first highlight the text you wish to strike through.

How do I strikethrough in Apple Notes on a Mac?

There is no default keyboard shortcut. You can right-click the text and select Font > Strikethrough, or create a custom shortcut in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts.

Does Cmd + Shift + X work in all Mac apps?

No. It is the standard for Microsoft Office and Google Docs, but it does not work in Apple’s native apps like Pages or Mail without manual configuration.

How do I remove a strikethrough on Mac?

Simply highlight the struck-through text and press the same shortcut you used to apply it (e.g., Cmd + Shift + X). It acts as a toggle.

Can I strikethrough text in the Mac Terminal?

No, the standard Terminal is a plain-text environment. However, if you are using a CLI tool that supports Markdown, you can use the ~~ syntax, but it will only render if the output is viewed in a Markdown-compatible viewer.