How to Remove Strikethrough (Cross-Out Text) in Excel

Removing a "cross" from text in Excel typically refers to removing the strikethrough effect, which draws a line through the middle of the text. This effect is often used to indicate that an item is no longer valid, completed, or to be disregarded. Fortunately, removing it is a straightforward process.

The most common and reliable way to remove strikethrough from your Excel cells is by using the Format Cells dialog box.

Removing Strikethrough from Selected Cells

Follow these simple steps to remove the strikethrough effect from your Excel data:

1. Select the Cells: First, highlight the cell(s) or the range of cells from which you want to remove the strikethrough effect.
2. Access the Font Settings:
   • Go to the Home tab on the Excel ribbon.
   • In the Font group, locate the small arrow icon in the bottom-right corner. This is the Font Settings dialog box launcher. Click on it.
   • Alternatively, you can right-click on the selected cell(s) and choose Format Cells... from the context menu.
3. Navigate to the Font Tab: Once the Format Cells dialog box appears, ensure you are on the Font tab.
4. Uncheck Strikethrough: Under the Effects section, you will find a checkbox labeled Strikethrough. If the text currently has a strikethrough, this box will be checked. Uncheck this box.
5. Apply Changes: Click OK to close the dialog box and apply your changes. The strikethrough (cross-out) effect will immediately disappear from your selected cells.

Quick Tip: Toggling Strikethrough with a Keyboard Shortcut

For a quicker toggle of the strikethrough effect, you can often use a keyboard shortcut:

• Ctrl + 5 (Windows): Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + 5 to toggle strikethrough on or off. This can be a very efficient way to add or remove the effect without opening any dialog boxes.

Why "Cross" Means Strikethrough

The term "cross" in the context of Excel text usually refers to the visual effect of a line drawn horizontally through the middle of characters. This is formally known as strikethrough. It's a common formatting option used across various applications to visually mark text.

Additional Considerations

• Multiple Cells: You can apply these steps to a single cell, a range of cells, or even non-contiguous cells by holding down the Ctrl key while selecting them.
• Conditional Formatting: In some advanced scenarios, strikethrough might be applied via conditional formatting rules. If the standard method doesn't work, check Home tab > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules to see if any rules are applying strikethrough based on cell values.

By following these instructions, you can easily remove any "cross-out" or strikethrough formatting from your Excel spreadsheets.