Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Strikethrough is a quick way to show that text is crossed out, replaced, or no longer needed—useful for revisions in email, inline decisions, and checklist-style messages.
This guide walks you through adding and removing strikethrough in Microsoft Outlook across the main platforms, with keyboard shortcuts, exact UI clicks, and fixes when formatting doesn’t show.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Applies to: Outlook email composing (not the calendar/event fields), and messages using rich text formatting.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Why strikethrough matters in Outlook emails and replies
When you’re replying with edits, strikethrough communicates change without burying your message in attachments. It’s also fast—select text, apply formatting, and send.
In many teams, strikethrough becomes a lightweight replacement for formal markup, especially when you’re confirming that something’s been handled, removed, or superseded.
Prerequisites: Rich text vs. plain text, and where Outlook can show formatting
Outlook can only display strikethrough when your message is using rich text formatting. If you switch to Plain text, Outlook typically strips formatting features like strikethrough.
What to check before you format
- Compose window type: Strikethrough is available in the standard email editor.
- Message format: Choose HTML/Rich Text, not Plain text.
- Destination: Recipients typically see strikethrough in Outlook, Apple Mail, and most modern email clients, but some older clients may render it differently.
Keyboard shortcuts to add/remove strikethrough
Using shortcuts is the fastest way to apply or remove strikethrough while composing.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches| Platform | Add strikethrough | Remove strikethrough |
|---|---|---|
| Outlook for Windows (desktop) | Ctrl + 5 |
Highlight text again and press Ctrl + 5 (toggles) |
| Outlook for Mac (desktop) | Cmd + Shift + X |
Highlight text and press Cmd + Shift + X (toggles) |
On Outlook on the web, strikethrough usually doesn’t have a single official keyboard shortcut across browsers, so use the formatting toolbar.
How to add strikethrough in Outlook
Select the text you want to mark, then apply the strikethrough command. If the command is missing, check message format (Plain text disables it).
Rank #2
Outlook for Windows (Classic desktop)
Use the font formatting controls in the email compose window.
- Open Outlook and click New Email or open an existing draft.
- Select the text you want to cross out.
- On the toolbar, go to the font formatting area and click Strikethrough (the abc icon with a line through the letters).
- If you don’t see it, make sure the message is in the rich text editor (see troubleshooting).
Shortcut: select text → press Ctrl + 5.
Outlook for Mac
The Mac desktop editor supports strikethrough from the formatting menu and keyboard toggle.
Recommended Free Tools
- Compose a new email or open a draft.
- Select the text.
- Use the formatting control for strikethrough, or press
Cmd+Shift+X.
If your toolbar looks simplified, open the formatting panel before trying to click strikethrough.
Outlook on the web (OWA)
In the browser editor, strikethrough is a button on the formatting bar.
- Go to Outlook on the web and start a New message or open your draft.
- Select the text.
- Find the formatting toolbar and click the Strikethrough icon (often looks like an abc with a horizontal line).
- Send the message when formatting looks correct.
How to remove strikethrough in Outlook
Removing is the same action as applying—highlight the crossed-out text and toggle strikethrough off.
Outlook for Windows (Classic desktop)
- In the compose window, select the strikethrough text (or drag to select the full crossed-out segment).
- Press
Ctrl+5again, or click the Strikethrough button to toggle it off. - Confirm the line disappears, then continue writing.
Outlook for Mac
- Select the crossed-out text.
- Press
Cmd+Shift+Xto toggle strikethrough off.
Outlook on the web (OWA)
- Select the crossed-out text.
- Click the Strikethrough icon on the formatting toolbar to toggle it off.
- Re-check the preview before you send.
When strikethrough doesn’t work: troubleshooting by cause
If you apply strikethrough but it disappears, doesn’t show, or can’t be selected, the issue is usually message format, editor limitations, or toolbar visibility.
Plain Text mode (most common)
In Plain text, Outlook removes most rich formatting features, including strikethrough.
- Look for a setting that controls message format (commonly something like Format text or Message format).
- Switch to HTML or Rich text (wording varies by client).
- Re-apply strikethrough after switching format.
Gotcha: if you paste content into Plain text mode, Outlook may strip formatting instantly—so switching format after pasting may not restore everything cleanly.
Formatting toolbar missing or collapsed
Outlook sometimes collapses the editing ribbon/toolbar, especially in smaller windows or after layout changes.
- Widen the compose window on desktop.
- Look for an option like Format options / More formatting.
- Click Strikethrough once the formatting controls are visible.
Pasted content arrives with different formatting
If you copy text from Word, Google Docs, or another email, you may see strikethrough come through—or you may see it vanish.
- If formatting disappears: try pasting using Paste as text or switch the message to HTML/Rich text and paste again.
- If it looks wrong in the recipient’s mailbox: their client might interpret styles differently, especially if the original source used complex formatting.
You’re composing in a different app or message type
Some contexts—like certain lightweight editors, review panes, or specialized forms—don’t fully support rich formatting.
- Confirm you’re in the standard email compose field.
- Try creating a fresh draft and copying your text into it.
- If you’re using a template or add-in, disable the add-in temporarily and test formatting again.
Strikethrough vs. alternatives (underline, comments, and tracked changes)
Strikethrough is great for “cancelled” or “replaced” items. For other workflows, different tools can communicate intent more clearly.
- Underline: emphasizes instead of crossing out. Good for key terms, not removals.
- Comments: more precise for review, but recipients may need additional permissions or platforms.
- Tracked changes: strongest for document editing, but email messages don’t fully replicate Word-style review behavior.
If you need a rigorous review trail, consider attaching the edited document or using a collaborative tool instead of relying only on formatting.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Switching formats mid-message: toggling from HTML to Plain text after formatting will often strip strikethrough.
- Selecting only part of a phrase: if you highlight only part of the crossed-out line, the remainder may stay normal, creating a messy look.
- Copying from a formatted source into a plain editor: if the compose window is in Plain text, your strikethrough won’t survive.
- Sending without a final check: email rendering can differ across clients—do a quick glance in the preview.
FAQ
Does strikethrough work for every recipient’s email app?
Most modern clients (including Outlook, Apple Mail, and many webmail services) render strikethrough correctly in HTML email. Very old clients or unusual security gateways may display it inconsistently.
Why can’t I find the strikethrough button in Outlook?
Common reasons: you’re composing in Plain text mode, your formatting toolbar is hidden/collapsed, or you’re using a limited editor. Switch to HTML/Rich text and expand the formatting controls.
Will strikethrough show up if I paste from Word?
Often yes, as long as you’re composing in HTML/Rich text. If it doesn’t, switch the message format to HTML/Rich text and paste again, or apply strikethrough manually after pasting.
What if I already sent the email with strikethrough—can I edit it?
That depends on your Outlook environment and policies. In many cases, you’ll need to send a follow-up correction message rather than relying on edit/recall.
Is there a mobile method for strikethrough?
Some mobile Outlook experiences limit rich text formatting. If you don’t see the strikethrough option on your device, compose the message on desktop or in Outlook on the web and then send.
Bottom Line
To add or remove strikethrough in Outlook, highlight the text and toggle the strikethrough command. On Outlook for Windows use Ctrl + 5, and on Outlook for Mac use Cmd + Shift + X.
If strikethrough won’t appear, the fix is usually switching from Plain text to HTML/Rich text and re-applying the formatting.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
