Want to know how to strikethrough text in Google Docs? This comprehensive guide will walk you through several methods, ensuring you can easily edit your documents and clearly indicate deletions or revisions. Mastering this simple formatting trick can significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your Google Docs. Let's dive in!
Why Use Strikethrough in Google Docs?
Before we get into the how, let's understand the why. Using strikethrough in your Google Docs offers several key benefits:
- Showing Deletions: Clearly indicate text that's been removed, making it easy to track changes and revisions. This is invaluable for collaborative projects or when reviewing drafts.
- Highlighting Obsolete Information: Strikethrough is perfect for marking outdated information without completely deleting it. This keeps a record of previous versions while highlighting the current, accurate data.
- Creating a Professional Look: Using strikethrough adds a polished touch to your documents, improving readability and making your edits appear more organized.
- Improving Document Clarity: It helps readers quickly grasp the changes made, leading to a better understanding of the content.
Methods to Strikethrough Text in Google Docs
There are several straightforward ways to apply strikethrough formatting in Google Docs. Here's a breakdown of each method:
Method 1: Using the Menu
This is the most common and arguably easiest approach:
- Select the text: Highlight the words or phrases you want to strikethrough.
- Open the Font menu: In the toolbar, locate the "Font" menu (it usually contains options like bold, italics, and underline).
- Select Strikethrough: You'll find the strikethrough option within this menu (it's often represented by a horizontal line). Click it. Your selected text will now have a line through it.
Pro Tip: If you can't immediately find the strikethrough option, make sure you've selected the text you wish to modify.
Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts (The Fast Way!)
For speed and efficiency, utilize keyboard shortcuts. This method is perfect for power users:
- Select your text.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + 8 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + 8 (Mac). This will instantly apply the strikethrough formatting.
Pro Tip: Memorize this shortcut! It'll save you countless clicks over time.
Beyond the Basics: Working with Strikethrough
While applying strikethrough is simple, there are a few additional things to keep in mind:
- Combining with other formatting: You can combine strikethrough with other formatting options like bold or italics. Simply apply the strikethrough after or before applying bold or italics. For example, you can have ~bold and strikethrough~ text.
- Undoing Strikethrough: If you make a mistake, simply select the text and click the strikethrough option again to remove it. Alternatively, you can use the "undo" command (Ctrl + Z or Cmd + Z).
- Consistent Formatting: Maintain consistency in your use of strikethrough throughout the document for optimal readability.
Optimizing Your Google Docs for Search Engines (SEO)
While this guide focuses on strikethrough, remember that well-formatted and well-written content is key for SEO. Here are some SEO best practices to consider for your Google Docs (especially if you plan to publish them online):
- Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords and integrate them naturally into your text.
- Header Structure (H2, H3, etc.): Use header tags to structure your content logically, making it easier for both readers and search engines to understand.
- Readable Content: Write clear, concise, and engaging content that provides value to your readers.
- Internal and External Linking: Link to other relevant content within your website (internal linking) and to authoritative external sources.
By mastering strikethrough and incorporating SEO best practices, your Google Docs will be more effective, professional, and better positioned for online success. Now you're ready to confidently edit and refine your documents!
