5 Effortless Ways to Cross Out Text in Outlook

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to cross out text in an Outlook email? Maybe you made a mistake, or perhaps you wanted to emphasize a correction. Whatever the reason, knowing how to cross out text in Outlook can be a valuable skill.

Fortunately, crossing out text in Outlook is a relatively simple process. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to do it. We will also discuss some of the benefits of using strikethrough text and offer some tips for using it effectively. So, whether you’re a seasoned Outlook user or you’re just getting started, read on to learn how to cross out text in Outlook.

One of the main benefits of using strikethrough text is that it can help to draw attention to important information. For example, if you’re sending an email to a colleague and you want to emphasize a correction, you can cross out the original text and type in the corrected text. This will make it clear to the recipient that the original text is no longer valid. Strikethrough text can also be used to indicate that something is no longer relevant or important. For example, if you’re sending an email to a group of people and you want to remove someone from the distribution list, you can cross out their name. This will make it clear to everyone that the person is no longer included in the email.

Removing Text Using Desktop Outlook

To strikethrough text in Outlook using the desktop application, follow these detailed steps:

1. Select the Text: Highlight the text you want to cross out by clicking and dragging your mouse over it.
2. Access the Font Options: On the Home tab of the Outlook ribbon, locate the “Font” section and click on the arrow to expand it.
3. Enable Strikethrough: Within the Font Options menu, look for the “Strikethrough” button, which is usually in the form of an “S” with a horizontal line through it. Click on this button to apply the strikethrough effect to the selected text.
4. Check the Result: The selected text will now appear with a horizontal line crossed through it, indicating that it has been struck out.

Note: If the Strikethrough button is not visible in the Font Options menu, it may be necessary to add it to the Quick Access Toolbar. To do this, right-click on any empty area of the Quick Access Toolbar and select “Customize Quick Access Toolbar.” From the resulting menu, choose “All Commands” from the “Choose commands from” drop-down menu and then scroll down to find and select “Strikethrough.” Click “Add” to add the button to the Quick Access Toolbar.

To quickly toggle strikethrough on and off, simply press the “Ctrl” + “T” shortcut keys.

Additional Options for Cross-Out Text

In addition to the strikethrough option, Outlook offers a few other ways to cross out text:

Method	Description
Superscript	Raises the text above the baseline, creating a crossed-out appearance.
Subscript	Lowers the text below the baseline, creating a crossed-out appearance.
Font Color	Sets the font color to white or pale gray, making the text appear faint and crossed out.

Strikethrough Text in Outlook Desktop

Add a line through selected text to create a strikethrough effect in Outlook for desktop. This feature is useful for marking completed tasks, crossing out outdated information, or highlighting specific sections of text.

Method 1: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

1. Select the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + ~ (tilde key).

Method 2: Using the Font Group

This method provides more customization options, allowing you to adjust the thickness and style of the strikethrough line.

1. Select the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Click the “Font” group on the Home tab.
3. Select the “Strikethrough” icon from the Font group.
4. To customize the strikethrough appearance, click the small arrow next to the “Strikethrough” icon. A drop-down menu will appear.

Customizing Strikethrough Options

The “Strikethrough Options” dialog box allows you to:

• Weight: Adjust the thickness of the strikethrough line from “Thin” to “Heavy.”
• Style: Choose between “Single” (one line), “Double” (two lines), or “Thick” (a wider line).
• Color: Select a custom color for the strikethrough line.

After making your selections, click “OK” to apply the customized strikethrough to the selected text.

Cross Out Text in Outlook Web App

The Outlook Web App, often known as Outlook Online, provides a simple method for crossing out text in emails. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial:

1. Sign in to Outlook Web App.
2. Compose a new email or open an existing one.
3. Select the text you want to strikethrough. Several ways to do this:
   

   To select…	Do this
   A word	Click it once.
   Multiple words	Drag the mouse over them.
   A line of text	Click to the left of it, then press the Shift key while clicking at the end of the line.
   Multiple lines of text	Click to the left of the first line, then hold the Shift key while clicking to the left of the last line.
   The entire email	Press Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac).

4. Click the “Strikethrough” button in the formatting toolbar. It looks like a capital S with a line through it.
5. The selected text will be crossed out.

Adding the Strikethrough HTML Code

To achieve the strikethrough effect using HTML codes, you need to enclose the text you want to cross out within a pair of HTML tags, Specifically, the
or tags. The tag is a more modern and preferred alternative to .

Syntax

The syntax for strikethrough using HTML codes is as follows:

Code	Effect
<strike>	Crosses out the text
<s>	Crosses out the text using the tag Example Here's an example of how to use the tag to cross out text: <strike>This is crossed-out text using the <strike> tag.</strike> This code will produce the following output: This is crossed-out text using the <strike> tag. Additional Formatting Options In addition to using HTML codes, you can also apply the strikethrough effect using the formatting options provided by Outlook. These options include: In the Outlook editor, select the text you want to cross out. Click on the "Strikethrough" button located in the Font group on the Home tab. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + Shift + S" to apply strikethrough formatting. Using the Quick Actions Toolbar for Strikethrough The Quick Actions Toolbar is a convenient way to access commonly used formatting options, including strikethrough. To use this toolbar: Select the text you want to strikethrough. Right-click and select "Quick Actions". Hover over "Text" and then select "Strikethrough". The selected text will now be crossed out with a line through it. Customizing the Quick Actions Toolbar You can customize the Quick Actions Toolbar to include or exclude the strikethrough option. To do this: Click the arrow on the far right of the Quick Actions Toolbar. Select "Customize Quick Actions". In the "Text" section, check or uncheck the "Strikethrough" option. Click "OK" to save your changes. Additional Options for Strikethrough In addition to using the Quick Actions Toolbar, you can also cross out text in Outlook using keyboard shortcuts or the Font dialog box: Method Keyboard Shortcut Keyboard Shortcut Alt + Shift + 5 Font Dialog Box Select the text. Click the "Home" tab. Click the "Font" dialog box launcher. In the "Effects" section, check the "Strikethrough" option. Click "OK". Accessibility Considerations for Crossed Out Text When crossing out text, it's crucial to consider its accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Here are some key points to keep in mind: Screen Readers Screen readers announce text without displaying its visual formatting. Crossed-out text may be read as normal text, potentially confusing users. Color Contrast For visually impaired users, the contrast between crossed-out text and the background may be insufficient, making it difficult to read. Cognitive Accessibility Individuals with cognitive disabilities may struggle to understand crossed-out text. It can disrupt the flow of reading and make it difficult to comprehend the intended message. Semantic HTML Crossed-out text should be marked up using or tags in HTML. This provides semantic information to screen readers and assistive technologies. Alternative Text For images with crossed-out text, provide alternative text that describes both the image and the strikethrough. Table of Recommended Practices Integrating Strikethrough with Conditional Formatting Conditional formatting allows you to automatically apply strikethrough to text based on specific criteria. This can be useful for visually highlighting completed tasks or indicating data that is no longer relevant. To set up conditional formatting with strikethrough, follow these steps: Select the range of cells you want to apply conditional formatting to. On the "Home" tab, click "Conditional Formatting" and select "New Rule". In the "Select a Rule Type" dialog box, select "Use a formula to determine which cells to format". In the "Format values where this formula is true" field, enter the following formula: =ISTEXT() where is the address of the cell you want to check for text. Click "Format" and select the "Strikethrough" option. Click "OK" to apply the conditional formatting. Now, any cells that contain text will be automatically formatted with strikethrough. You can modify the formula to check for specific text values or other criteria as needed. Here is a table summarizing the steps for integrating strikethrough with conditional formatting: Requirement Recommendation Semantic Markup Use or tags for crossed-out text. Contrast Ratio Ensure sufficient contrast between crossed-out text and the background. Cognitive Accessibility Consider using alternative methods to convey emphasis or corrections, such as underlines or highlighted text. Screen Reader Compatibility Test crossed-out text with screen readers to ensure accurate reading. Alt Text for Images Provide descriptive alt text for images with crossed-out text. Cross-Platform Testing Test accessibility across different devices and platforms to ensure consistent behavior. Best Practices for Using Crossed Out Text Crossed-out text can be an effective way to highlight changes, draw attention to important information, or indicate that something has been completed or discarded. However, it's essential to use this formatting sparingly and appropriately to avoid confusion or visual clutter in your emails. Key Best Practices: Use crossed-out text sparingly and judiciously. Cross out only text that is no longer relevant or has been superseded. Avoid crossing out long passages of text, as this can make it difficult for readers to follow the message. Use a consistent style for crossed-out text across all your emails. Consider using crossed-out text in combination with other formatting options, such as color or bolding, to enhance its visibility. Use a consistent style for crossed-out text across all your emails. Avoid using crossed-out text in formal or highly professional contexts. Ensure that the crossed-out text remains visible and readable, even when viewed on different devices or email clients. Additional Considerations for Specific Situations There are certain situations where crossed-out text may be particularly appropriate or useful: Step Action 1 Select the range of cells to apply conditional formatting to. 2 Click "Conditional Formatting" on the "Home" tab and select "New Rule". 3 Select "Use a formula to determine which cells to format" in the "Select a Rule Type" dialog box. 4 Enter the formula =ISTEXT() in the "Format values where this formula is true" field. 5 Click "Format" and select the "Strikethrough" option. 6 Click "OK" to apply the conditional formatting. Situation Use Crossed-Out Text To Editing or revising a document Mark changes, deletions, or additions Responding to feedback Indicate areas where revisions have been made Creating to-do lists or checklists Cross out completed items Highlighting important information Draw attention to a specific point or detail By following these best practices and considering these specific use cases, you can effectively utilize crossed-out text to enhance the clarity and impact of your Outlook emails. Ensuring Clarity in Communication with Crossed Out Text Uses of Strikethrough in Communication Striking through text can enhance written communication in several ways, such as: Indicating deletion or cancellation. Drawing attention to revisions or corrections. Emphasizing important points. Striking Through Text in Outlook Method 1: Using the Keyboard Shortcut To quickly strike out text, place the cursor within the text and press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + X (Windows) or Option + Shift + X (Mac). Method 2: Using the Font Style Menu Alternatively, you can strike out text using the Font Style menu: Highlight the text you want to cross out. Click the "Font" tab in the Ribbon. Select the "Strikethrough" option from the Font Style section. Method 3: Using HTML Code For advanced users, you can also strike through text by adding HTML code: Before the text: <del> After the text: </del> For example: <del>This is crossed out text.</del> Customizing Strikethrough Appearance You can customize the appearance of crossed-out text by changing its color or thickness. To do this, select the crossed-out text and use the "Font Color" or "Font Weight" options in the Font Style menu. Additional Considerations When using strikethrough, consider the following: Consideration Action Readability Keep crossed-out text concise and avoid excessive use. Accessibility Ensure that crossed-out text remains accessible to screen readers. Professionalism Use strikethrough sparingly in formal communications. How to Cross Out Text in Outlook Crossing out text in Outlook is a simple way to indicate that something is no longer relevant or has been replaced. Here's how to do it: Select the text you want to cross out. Click the "Font" tab in the ribbon. In the "Font" group, click the "Strikethrough" button. The selected text will now be crossed out. People Also Ask About How to Cross Out Text in Outlook How do I cross out text in Outlook keyboard shortcut? There is no keyboard shortcut for crossing out text in Outlook. However, you can use the "Strikethrough" button in the ribbon to quickly apply strikethrough formatting to selected text. Can I cross out text in Outlook mobile app? Yes, you can cross out text in the Outlook mobile app. To do this, select the text you want to cross out, then tap the "Format" button. In the "Font" section, tap the "Strikethrough" button. How do I undo strikethrough in Outlook? To undo strikethrough formatting in Outlook, select the crossed-out text, then click the "Strikethrough" button in the ribbon again. Alternatively, you can use the "Undo" button in the Quick Access Toolbar to undo the last action you performed.