Striking through text on an iPhone can be tricky since iOS does not have a universal built-in strikethrough feature across all apps. Developers and users often want to emphasize edits, deletions, or completed tasks by putting a line through text, but the method varies depending on the app or context.
This guide explains what strikethrough is and why it’s useful. It then walks you through practical ways to put a line through text on your iPhone using built-in features, third-party apps, and keyboard tricks. You’ll also find troubleshooting tips and best practices to make your text formatting smooth and effective.
What does it mean to put a line through text on iPhone?
Putting a line through text, also known as strikethrough, means drawing a horizontal line over the middle of the text characters. It visually indicates that the text is deleted, completed, or no longer relevant. On iPhone, strikethrough is not a universal feature built into the keyboard or all apps, so it requires specific methods depending on where you want to apply it.
Developers and users use strikethrough to mark tasks done in notes, show edits in documents, or highlight changes in messaging. While some apps like Notes, Mail, or Pages support strikethrough formatting, others require workarounds or third-party tools. Understanding these options helps you add this useful text style effectively on your iPhone.
How do you put a line through text in the iPhone Notes app?
The iPhone Notes app supports rich text formatting, including strikethrough, but it’s hidden behind the formatting menu. To put a line through text, you first select the text, then apply the strikethrough style from the formatting options.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Notes app and create or open a note.
- Tap and hold on the text you want to strike through to select it.
- Tap the BIU button that appears above the keyboard. This stands for Bold, Italic, Underline.
- In the menu, tap Strikethrough.
The selected text will now have a line through it. This method works well for short text snippets or lists. The strikethrough style remains editable and can be removed by repeating the steps.
What other iPhone apps support strikethrough text?
Several popular iPhone apps support strikethrough formatting natively or through formatting menus. These include:
- Apple Mail: When composing an email, select text, tap the formatting button, and choose strikethrough.
- Pages: Apple's word processor supports strikethrough via the formatting toolbar.
- Microsoft Word: The iOS Word app has strikethrough in the font formatting options.
- Google Docs: The Google Docs app supports strikethrough via the formatting menu.
Each app’s method varies slightly but generally involves selecting text and choosing strikethrough from a formatting or font style menu. Knowing which apps support it natively helps you avoid workarounds.
What prerequisites are required for putting a line through text on iPhone?
- Updated iOS version: Ensure your iPhone runs the latest iOS for best app compatibility and formatting features.
- Compatible apps: Use apps that support rich text formatting like Notes, Mail, Pages, or Microsoft Word.
- Basic text editing skills: Knowing how to select text and access formatting menus is essential.
- Internet connection: Required for downloading third-party apps or using cloud-based editors like Google Docs.
- Optional keyboard apps: Some third-party keyboards offer strikethrough shortcuts or symbols.
Step-by-step guide to put a line through text on iPhone
Step 1: Open the Notes app and create a new note
Start by launching the built-in Notes app on your iPhone. Tap the compose button to create a new note or open an existing one where you want to add strikethrough text.
Open Notes app > Tap new note iconThis prepares the workspace where you will apply the strikethrough formatting.
Step 2: Type the text you want to strike through
Enter the text normally using the iPhone keyboard. You can type a word, sentence, or list item that you want to mark with a line through it.
Type your desired textThis is the text you will select and format in the next step.
Step 3: Select the text to format
Tap and hold on the text until the selection handles appear. Drag the handles to highlight the exact text you want to strike through.
Tap and hold text > Adjust selection handlesProper selection is necessary so the formatting applies only to the intended text.
Step 4: Open the formatting menu
Above the keyboard, tap the BIU button. This opens the text formatting options including Bold, Italic, Underline, and Strikethrough.
Tap BIU button above keyboardThis menu gives you access to various text styles including the strikethrough option.
Step 5: Apply strikethrough to the selected text
In the formatting menu, tap Strikethrough. The selected text will immediately show a line through it.
Tap Strikethrough optionThis visually marks the text as struck through, indicating deletion or completion.
Step 6: Save or continue editing your note
Once you apply strikethrough, you can continue editing the note or exit. The formatting remains until you remove it by repeating the selection and toggling off strikethrough.
Continue editing or save noteThis completes the process of putting a line through text in Notes on iPhone.
What are common errors when putting a line through text on iPhone and how do you fix them?
- Strikethrough option missing: Some apps or iOS versions do not support strikethrough. Update iOS or switch to an app like Notes or Pages that supports it.
- Cannot select text properly: If selection handles don’t appear, tap the text again or restart the app to fix temporary glitches.
- Formatting not saved: Some apps revert formatting when closed. Save your document or note before exiting to preserve strikethrough.
- Strikethrough applies to wrong text: Carefully adjust selection handles to avoid applying to unintended text.
- Third-party keyboard issues: Some keyboards may interfere with formatting menus. Switch to the default iOS keyboard if problems occur.
What are best practices when putting a line through text on iPhone?
- Use native apps when possible: Apps like Notes and Pages handle strikethrough reliably without extra installs.
- Keep iOS updated: Regular updates improve formatting features and app compatibility.
- Save your work frequently: Prevent data loss by saving notes or documents after applying formatting.
- Be precise with text selection: Avoid formatting errors by carefully selecting only the text you want struck through.
- Use third-party apps cautiously: Only install trusted apps for advanced formatting to protect privacy and security.
How can third-party apps help put a line through text on iPhone?
Third-party apps can add strikethrough functionality where native apps fall short. For example, text editors like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or specialized note-taking apps offer rich text formatting including strikethrough.
Some apps also provide keyboard extensions or shortcuts to insert strikethrough text quickly. These apps often sync with cloud services, making it easier to maintain formatting across devices.
However, third-party apps may require installation, account setup, or subscriptions. Choose apps with good reviews and clear privacy policies to ensure a smooth experience.
Conclusion
Putting a line through text on iPhone is a useful way to mark completed tasks, edits, or deletions. While iOS does not offer a universal strikethrough feature, apps like Notes, Mail, Pages, and third-party editors provide practical ways to apply this formatting. Knowing how to select text and access formatting menus is key.
Developers and users should keep their iOS updated and use compatible apps to ensure strikethrough works smoothly. Following best practices like precise selection and saving work frequently will help you use strikethrough effectively on your iPhone.
FAQ
Can I put a line through text in iMessage on iPhone?
iMessage does not support strikethrough formatting natively. You can use third-party apps to create strikethrough text as an image or copy formatted text from other apps, but direct strikethrough is not available.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for strikethrough on iPhone?
iPhone’s default keyboard does not have a strikethrough shortcut. You must use app-specific formatting menus or third-party keyboards that support text styling shortcuts.
How do I remove strikethrough from text on iPhone?
To remove strikethrough, select the formatted text, open the formatting menu (like BIU in Notes), and tap the strikethrough option again to toggle it off.
Can I use Markdown to put a line through text on iPhone?
Some apps support Markdown syntax for strikethrough, such as wrapping text with double tildes (~~text~~). However, this depends on the app’s Markdown rendering capabilities.
Why does strikethrough not appear on some apps on iPhone?
Not all apps support rich text formatting or strikethrough. Some plain text editors or messaging apps lack this feature, so the line through text won’t display unless the app supports it.