Unleash Your Creativity: Mastering Strikethrough Text in Google Slides

Google Slides is an incredibly versatile tool for creating presentations, but its true potential lies in how you can enhance the visual appeal of your slides. One often-overlooked feature is strikethrough text. Strikethrough in Google Slides not only helps to cross out words but can also be used creatively to add a dynamic effect to your presentations. Whether you are editing a list of completed tasks, showcasing revisions, or adding a stylistic touch to your slide design, strikethrough text is a powerful tool.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about using strikethrough text in Google Slides, including how to apply it, creative uses, troubleshooting tips, and much more. Ready to make your presentations stand out? Let’s dive in!

What Is Strikethrough Text in Google Slides?

Strikethrough text is a typographic effect where a horizontal line is drawn through the center of a word or sentence. It’s often used to indicate that something has been removed, completed, or is no longer relevant. In Google Slides, this feature can be applied to any text within a text box or shape, allowing you to visually demonstrate changes without losing context.

Why Use Strikethrough Text in Google Slides?

Highlight Revisions: When editing or updating presentations, you can show changes or deletions by crossing out old text.
Enhance Visual Appeal: Strikethrough adds an interesting visual dynamic, breaking the monotony of standard text formatting.
Show Progress: For to-do lists or project milestones, using strikethrough can effectively represent completed tasks.
Organize Information: Strikethrough text allows you to organize ideas in a more engaging and interactive way.

How to Apply Strikethrough Text in Google Slides

Applying strikethrough text in Google Slides is quick and easy. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open Your Google Slides Presentation

First, open the Google Slides presentation you want to edit. If you don’t have one yet, you can create a new presentation by going to Google Slides.

Step 2: Select the Text to Edit

Navigate to the slide where you want to add strikethrough text. Click on the text box containing the text you wish to modify. You can select a single word, a sentence, or an entire paragraph. Highlight the specific text you want to strike through.

Step 3: Apply the Strikethrough Effect

Once the text is selected, follow these steps to apply the strikethrough:

Click on the Format option in the menu bar at the top of the page.
From the dropdown menu, choose Text and then select Strikethrough.

Your selected text will immediately have a line drawn through it, signaling that it has been struck through.

Step 4: Adjust the Text Formatting (Optional)

If you want to adjust the size, color, or font style of the strikethrough text, you can easily do so by highlighting the text and using the formatting options in the toolbar. You can change the font family, size, and color just like you would with any other text.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

Once you’re satisfied with your changes, Google Slides will automatically save your presentation. No need to worry about losing your work.

Creative Uses of Strikethrough Text in Google Slides

Strikethrough text can be used in a variety of creative ways in your presentations. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Task Completion: Create a to-do list or checklist and strike through tasks as they are completed.
Version History: If you are presenting changes to a project, you can strike through outdated information to show the new version of the text.
Design Element: Use strikethrough for a stylized design on specific words or phrases. It can add a dramatic effect when used sparingly.
Interactive Feedback: If you are reviewing a proposal or document, you can strike through comments or suggestions that have been addressed.

Troubleshooting Common Strikethrough Text Issues in Google Slides

While Google Slides is generally user-friendly, there are a few issues you might run into when applying strikethrough text. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Problem 1: Strikethrough Text Won’t Appear

If the strikethrough effect isn’t showing up as expected, it could be due to the following reasons:

Ensure the text is properly selected. Sometimes, text is only partially selected, which could cause the effect to not apply.
Check if you’re working in a shape or a text box where the text formatting options may be limited. Try clicking directly in the text box to reapply the effect.

Problem 2: Strikethrough Not Visible on Specific Text Styles

In some cases, strikethrough text may not be visible depending on the font you’ve chosen. If you experience this issue, try switching to a more basic font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, to see if the strikethrough becomes visible. If the problem persists, try adjusting the font size or switching to another style.

Problem 3: Strikethrough Text Not Saving

Occasionally, changes made in Google Slides may not appear to save. This could be due to browser issues or connectivity problems. To fix this:

Refresh your browser and ensure you’re connected to the internet.
Try using a different browser or clearing your browser cache.
If you’re working offline, make sure to reconnect to the internet to sync your changes.

Advanced Tips for Using Strikethrough Text in Google Slides

Once you’re comfortable with the basic use of strikethrough text in Google Slides, consider these advanced tips to further enhance your presentations:

Combine Strikethrough with Animation: Use animations to highlight when text is struck through. This can create a more dynamic and engaging presentation.
Use with Transparency: For a more subtle effect, try reducing the transparency of the text before applying strikethrough. This will make the strikethrough more delicate.
Layer Strikethrough on Different Objects: Don’t limit strikethrough to just text. You can use it creatively on shapes, lines, or even images in Google Slides to enhance your design.

By exploring these advanced techniques, you’ll be able to create more engaging, polished, and unique presentations in Google Slides.

Conclusion

Strikethrough text in Google Slides is a simple yet powerful tool that can bring your presentations to life in new and exciting ways. Whether you are highlighting revisions, marking completed tasks, or adding a creative design element, this feature can enhance the visual appeal and functionality of your slides. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can master the art of using strikethrough text and add a dynamic touch to your work.

If you’re looking for more tips on mastering Google Slides, be sure to check out our other articles on presentation design and productivity tips. Happy presenting!

This article is in the category Guides & Tutorials and created by SlidesGuide Team