How To Strikethrough In OneNote: Quick Keyboard Shortcut Method

I spent years using OneNote before discovering this simple formatting trick. The strikethrough feature hides in plain sight, but once you know the shortcut, it becomes second nature.

The method differs slightly across platforms. On Windows, it’s a two-key combo that works instantly. Mac users get the same result with a slightly different approach, while mobile requires a tap-and-hold.

You’ll transform crossed-out notes from manual edits to instant formatting. No menus, no hunting—just clean, efficient text styling that keeps your workflow smooth.

Works in OneNote 2016, 2019, Microsoft 365, and mobile apps. Here’s how to do it on your device.

What Youll Need

Step-by-Step Instructions for Applying Strikethrough in OneNote

This is the fastest method I use daily—no menus, no delays, just instant results.

Open OneNote and navigate to the note containing the text you want to modify. Highlight the specific words or paragraphs you wish to format. For a single word, double-click it; for a sentence or paragraph, click and drag the cursor across the text. The selection will appear highlighted in blue.

Verify the correct text is selected by checking the boundaries of the highlight. If you accidentally include extra characters, click and drag again to adjust the selection before proceeding.

With your text selected, press Alt + H to open the Home tab shortcuts. This reveals a series of letters corresponding to different formatting options. Now press 4 (the strikethrough shortcut). The selected text will immediately display a horizontal line through the middle of each character.

If nothing happens, ensure the Home tab is active—you should see the formatting options like Bold, Italic, and Underline at the top of the ribbon. If the shortcut fails, try pressing Esc first to clear any open menus.

Check that the strikethrough appears cleanly across all selected text. Sometimes, if the font is too small or the text is tightly spaced, the line might look uneven. Adjust the font size or spacing by selecting the text, then using Ctrl + Shift + > to increase font size or Ctrl + ] to increase spacing.

If you change your mind, select the text again and repeat the Alt + H, 4 sequence. Strikethrough is a toggle—applying it a second time removes the line.

OneNote auto-saves every change you make, so there’s no need to manually save your work. Close the notebook or switch to another note, and your strikethrough formatting will remain intact. To confirm, reopen the note and check that the formatting persists.

If you’re using OneNote in a shared notebook, the changes will sync across all devices linked to your Microsoft account within a few seconds. Verify this by opening the notebook on another device or in the web version.

While the keyboard shortcut is the quickest, you can also apply strikethrough via the ribbon. Click the Home tab, then locate the Strikethrough button (it looks like a T with a line through it). Click it once to apply, and again to remove.

For touchscreen users, tap the text to select it, then tap the Strikethrough button from the formatting toolbar that appears above the selected text. This method works the same way as the keyboard shortcut but is ideal for tablets or 2-in-1 devices.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These practical insights will help you master the shortcut method without frustration.

The Selection Secret: In Step 1, take a moment to verify your text selection. I’ve found that accidentally including a space or punctuation mark can cause the strikethrough to apply inconsistently. Double-check the blue highlight boundaries before moving to Step 2—this prevents partial formatting.

Shortcut Timing: For Step 2, press Alt + H first, then immediately press 4. If you hesitate, the Home tab shortcuts might disappear, forcing you to start over. Confession: I skipped this step for years and wondered why my strikethrough kept failing.

Toggle Awareness: Remember that strikethrough is a toggle in Step 3. If you apply it twice by mistake, the line disappears. This is intentional, but it can be confusing if you’re not expecting it. I learned this the hard way after reapplying the shortcut multiple times, thinking it hadn’t worked the first time.

Font Size Fix: If the strikethrough line looks uneven in Step 3, as mentioned, adjust the font size or spacing. Smaller fonts often make the line appear broken or misaligned. Use Ctrl + Shift + > to increase font size slightly until the line looks clean across all characters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mastering the strikethrough feature in OneNote is a breeze with the right shortcut! 🎯 Now that you know how to cross out text effortlessly, try practicing in a new note to build muscle memory. Ready for more? Explore other OneNote formatting tricks to boost your productivity even further!