Why Strikethrough in Outlook Is the Secret Weapon You’re Not Using Enough
You’ve probably used strikethrough in Outlook to cross out a task or mark an email as “done,” but what if this simple formatting tool could transform how you manage collaboration and clarity in your inbox? Most people underestimate its power—until they realize it’s the fastest way to communicate progress without a single extra word. The real question isn’t *how* to apply it, but *when* to wield it for maximum impact. And that’s where things get interesting.
The Hidden Psychology Behind Strikethrough: Why Your Brain Loves It
Strikethrough isn’t just a visual trick—it’s a cognitive shortcut. When you see text with a line through it, your brain instantly categorizes it as “resolved” or “no longer relevant,” freeing up mental bandwidth for what *actually* needs attention. This is why strikethrough in Outlook is so effective in shared emails or task lists: it eliminates ambiguity. No more “Did you see my last message?” or “Is this still pending?”—the formatting speaks for itself. The key is using it deliberately, not just as an afterthought. For example, striking through a deadline in a team email doesn’t just show it’s complete; it signals *closure* to everyone involved.
How to Apply Strikethrough in Outlook (Without Hunting for the Button)
Outlook buries its strikethrough option in a way that makes it feel like a hidden feature, but once you know where to look, it’s embarrassingly simple. Here’s the fastest method: select the text you want to cross out, then press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (Mac) to open the Font dialog box. Check the “Strikethrough” box, hit OK, and you’re done. No ribbon-clicking, no right-click menus—just two keystrokes. For those who prefer the ribbon, it’s tucked under the “Home” tab in the “Font” group, represented by an abc with a line through it. Pro tip: if you use strikethrough often, add it to your Quick Access Toolbar for one-click access.
When Strikethrough Backfires (And How to Avoid Looking Passive-Aggressive)
Not all strikethrough is created equal. Overuse it, and you risk coming across as dismissive or even passive-aggressive—especially in professional emails. Imagine receiving a message where half the content is crossed out with no explanation. Confusing, right? The fix? Pair strikethrough with context. For example, instead of just striking through a request like “Can you review this by EOD?”, add a note: “Can you review this by EOD? Never mind, I handled it.” This maintains transparency and prevents miscommunication. Another pitfall? Using it in formal documents or contracts, where it can imply edits or revisions that aren’t legally binding. Stick to strikethrough for internal communication, task tracking, or casual updates.
The Keyboard Shortcut You Didn’t Know Existed (And How to Create Your Own)
If you’re tired of digging through menus, Outlook lets you create a custom keyboard shortcut for strikethrough in Outlook. Here’s how: go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, then click “Customize” next to “Keyboard shortcuts.” In the “Categories” list, select “Home Tab,” then scroll down to “Strikethrough” in the “Commands” list. Click in the “Press new shortcut key” field, press your desired combo (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + S), and hit “Assign.” Now you can apply strikethrough with zero friction. For power users, this is a game-changer—especially when juggling long email threads or shared task lists where speed matters.
Strikethrough vs. Other Formatting: When to Use What
Strikethrough isn’t the only way to signal changes in Outlook, but it’s often the most effective. Here’s how it stacks up against alternatives:
- Bold/Italics: Best for emphasis, not completion. Use these when you want to highlight something *new* or *urgent*, not something that’s done.
- Highlighting: Great for drawing attention, but it doesn’t imply resolution. A yellow highlight screams “look at this,” while strikethrough whispers “this is handled.”
- Comments/Annotations: Ideal for detailed feedback, but overkill for simple status updates. Strikethrough is cleaner and less intrusive.
- Deleting Text: The nuclear option. Only use this if the text is *truly* irrelevant, not just completed. Strikethrough preserves history while signaling progress.
The rule of thumb? Use strikethrough when you want to show *progress without erasure*. It’s the difference between saying “I’m done with this” and “This no longer matters.”
How to Remove Strikethrough in Outlook (And Why You Might Need To)
Removing strikethrough is just as easy as applying it—select the text and toggle the strikethrough option off (or use the same keyboard shortcut). But why would you need to undo it? Common scenarios include:
- A task was marked complete but reopened.
- You struck through the wrong text by accident.
- You’re repurposing an old email and need to “reset” the formatting.
One underrated use case? Temporarily striking through text during brainstorming sessions. For example, if you’re drafting an email with multiple options, you can cross out the ones you’ve ruled out without deleting them entirely. This keeps your thought process intact while making the final version cleaner.
Strikethrough in Outlook Mobile: Does It Even Work?
The Outlook mobile app is notorious for stripping away desktop features, but strikethrough in Outlook *does* work—with some limitations. On iOS and Android, you can apply strikethrough by selecting text, tapping the “A” icon in the formatting toolbar, and choosing the strikethrough option. However, the mobile app lacks keyboard shortcuts and Quick Access Toolbar customization, so it’s less efficient than the desktop version. Another quirk: strikethrough formatting may not always sync perfectly between mobile and desktop, especially in older versions of Outlook. If you rely on mobile, double-check your formatting before sending critical emails.
The Pro Move: Using Strikethrough for Inbox Zero (Without the Obsession)
Inbox Zero isn’t about having an empty inbox—it’s about having a *controlled* inbox. Strikethrough in Outlook is one of the most underrated tools for achieving this, because it lets you visually declutter without losing context. Here’s how to use it strategically:
- Strike through action items as you complete them. This gives you a real-time view of what’s left without needing a separate task list.
- Cross out irrelevant parts of long email threads. When replying to a thread with multiple topics, strike through the ones you’re not addressing to keep your response focused.
- Use it in shared inboxes. In team emails, strikethrough can signal which tasks are handled, reducing duplicate work and follow-up questions.
The beauty of this approach? You’re not deleting anything—just making it *visually* clear what’s active and what’s not. It’s the digital equivalent of crossing items off a to-do list, but with the added benefit of being shareable. And unlike archiving or deleting, strikethrough keeps everything in one place, so you can always refer back if needed.
