Introduction: Why Strikethrough Matters in PDFs
Have you ever wanted to cross out text in a PDF, just like you would with a red pen on paper? Whether you’re editing a document, suggesting changes, or reviewing content, the strikethrough tool is a game-changer for digital markup.
Why Use Strikethrough in PDFs?
Strikethrough isn’t just for fun, it’s a powerful tool for:
✔ Editing & Proofreading – Clearly show text that needs removal.
✔ Collaboration & Feedback – Suggest changes without deleting the original content.
✔ Highlighting Mistakes – Easily mark incorrect or outdated information.
What This Guide Covers:
- In this guide, we’ll walk you through multiple ways to strikethrough text in a PDF, including:
- Built-in tools like Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Edge, and Mac Preview.
- Online PDF editors for quick and easy markups.
- Mobile apps for editing PDFs on the go.
By the end, you’ll be a PDF strikethrough pro, making your edits clearer, faster, and more effective! Let’s get started.
Can You Strikethrough Text in a PDF?
PDFs are primarily designed for viewing and sharing, making them harder to edit than Word documents. However, annotation tools allow you to mark up PDFs, including adding strikethroughs, without altering the original content.
Strikethrough: Annotation vs. Editing
There are two ways to cross out text in a PDF, and it’s important to know the difference:
1. Strikethrough as an Annotation (Non-Destructive)
- Works like a digital highlighter but for crossing out text.
- The original text remains intact beneath the strikethrough.
- Perfect for proofreading, suggesting edits, and providing feedback.
2. Editing & Removing Text (Permanent Change)
- Requires a PDF editor that allows text modification.
- Actually deletes or replaces text instead of just marking it.
- Ideal for final document edits before saving or sharing.
Tools That Allow Strikethrough Annotations
Many PDF readers and editors support strikethrough as an annotation, including:
✅ Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free & Pro) – Best for both annotation and editing.
✅ Microsoft Edge (Built-in PDF viewer) – Simple markup tool for Windows users.
✅ Mac Preview – Free and easy for basic strikethroughs.
✅ Online tools (Smallpdf, PDFescape, Sejda) – No downloads needed.
✅ Mobile apps (Adobe Acrobat Mobile, Xodo, Foxit PDF) – Edit PDFs on the go.
Whether you’re marking corrections, reviewing contracts, or leaving feedback, strikethrough annotations are a quick and effective way to communicate changes without permanently altering the document.
How to Strikethrough Text in a PDF: Step-by-Step Guide
Strikethrough is a useful tool for marking corrections, suggesting edits, or reviewing documents without altering the original content. Whether you’re using a free PDF reader, a paid editor, or a web browser, here’s how to do it.
Method 1: Using Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free Version)
Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of the most popular free tools for PDF annotation, including strikethrough. However, note that the free version only allows strikethrough as an annotation—not actual text editing.
Steps to Strikethrough Text in Adobe Acrobat Reader
1. Open Your PDF
- Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader (download it for free if needed).
- Click File > Open and select your PDF.
2. Activate the Comment Tool
- Click on Tools > Comment in the top menu.
- This will open the annotation toolbar.
3. Select the Strikethrough Option
- Click the “T” with a strikethrough (it may be in the text markup section).
- Your cursor will change to a selection tool.
4. Apply Strikethrough
- Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
- The selected text will now appear crossed out in red (you can change the color).
5. Save Your Markup
- Click File > Save to keep your annotations.
✅ Pros: Free, easy to use, works on both Windows & Mac.
❌ Cons: Does not permanently delete text, only marks it up.
Method 2: Using Adobe Acrobat Pro (Paid Version)
For those who need to edit or remove text permanently, Adobe Acrobat Pro offers an advanced Edit PDF tool.
Steps to Strikethrough Text in Adobe Acrobat Pro
1. Open Your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2. Click Tools > Edit PDF to enable text editing.
3. Select the text you want to strikethrough.
4. Click the Strikethrough (S) button in the formatting toolbar.
5. Save the changes to modify the document permanently.
✅ Pros: Allows real editing, not just markup.
❌ Cons: Requires a paid subscription.
Method 3: Using Chrome or Edge PDF Viewers
If you don’t want to download any software, you can use your web browser’s built-in PDF tools.
Steps for Strikethrough in Microsoft Edge (Windows)
1. Open your PDF in Microsoft Edge (right-click > Open With > Microsoft Edge).
2. Click the “Add Text” or “Highlight” option in the top toolbar.
3. Select Strikethrough from the markup menu.
4. Click on the text you want to mark up.
5. Save the file by clicking the Save icon.
- Steps for Strikethrough in Google Chrome (Limited Functionality)
- Chrome does not have a built-in strikethrough tool.
- You will need to use a Chrome extension like Kami or PDFescape.
✅ Pros: No downloads required, quick and free.
❌ Cons: Fewer features, may not work on all PDFs.
Whether you’re using Adobe Acrobat, a browser, or an online tool, strikethrough is a simple yet powerful way to annotate PDFs. If you need quick markups, free tools like Acrobat Reader and Edge work well. But for permanent text removal, Adobe Acrobat Pro or an advanced editor is the best choice.
Best Free Online Tools for Strikethrough in PDFs
If you need to strikethrough text in a PDF but don’t want to install software, free online PDF editors are a great option. These tools work in a web browser, allowing you to quickly mark up PDFs without downloading anything. Below are some of the best free online tools for adding strikethrough annotations to PDFs.
1. PDF4Sure – Fast & Easy Online Strikethrough Tool
Why use it?
✅ Free and simple to use
✅ Works directly in your browser
✅ No registration required
How to Strikethrough Text in PDF4Sure:
1. Go to PDF4Sure’s website.
2. Click Upload PDF and select your file.
3. Select the Text Markup Tool from the toolbar.
4. Choose Strikethrough and highlight the text.
5. Click Save & Download to export your marked-up PDF.
Pros:
✔️ No installation needed
✔️ Fast processing
✔️ Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
❌ No advanced editing features
❌ Requires internet access
2. Smallpdf – Simple Online Editor for Annotations
Why use it?
✅ User-friendly interface
✅ Free for basic annotation tools
✅ Allows uploading from Google Drive & Dropbox
How to Strikethrough Text in Smallpdf:
1. Visit Smallpdf’s online editor.
2. Drag and drop your PDF file.
3. Select the Annotate tool.
4. Click on Strikethrough and apply it to the text.
5. Save and download your updated PDF.
Pros:
✔️ No sign-up required for basic features
✔️ Integrates with cloud storage services
✔️ Quick and efficient
Cons:
❌ Limited free usage (only 2 documents per day)
❌ Some features require a paid plan
3. Sejda PDF Editor – Web-Based Editing with Strikethrough Feature
Why use it?
✅ Works completely online
✅ Free for PDFs up to 200 pages or 50 MB
✅ No watermark on edited documents
How to Strikethrough Text in Sejda PDF Editor:
1. Open Sejda’s PDF editor in your browser.
2. Click Upload PDF and select your file.
3. Choose Text Markup from the menu.
4. Select Strikethrough and highlight the text you want to mark.
5. Click Apply Changes, then Download the edited file.
Pros:
✔️ No sign-up required for free use
✔️ No watermarks on edited files
✔️ Works well for large PDFs
Cons:
❌ Free version has daily limits
❌ Doesn’t support real text editing, only markup
4. DocHub – Works with Google Drive for PDF Markups
Why use it?
✅ Integrates with Google Drive & Dropbox
✅ Supports real-time collaboration
✅ Free for basic annotation tools
How to Strikethrough Text in DocHub:
1. Go to DocHub and sign in (Google login available).
2. Upload your PDF or open it directly from Google Drive.
3. Click the Annotation Tool and choose Strikethrough.
4. Apply the markup and save your changes.
5. Download or share the edited PDF.
Pros:
✔️ Perfect for team collaboration
✔️ Works well with cloud storage
✔️ Free version includes many annotation tools
Cons:
❌ Requires sign-in
❌ Free version has limited storage
For quick and easy strikethrough annotations, PDF4Sure and Smallpdf are great choices. If you need cloud integration and collaboration features, DocHub is the best option. Sejda PDF Editor is useful for working with larger PDFs without watermarks. Choose the tool that best fits your needs and start marking up your PDFs effortlessly!
Mobile Apps for Striking Through Text in PDFs
Need to strikethrough text in a PDF on your phone or tablet? Whether you’re reviewing a document, making edits, or leaving feedback, mobile apps make it easy to mark up PDFs from anywhere. Below are the best mobile apps for adding strikethrough annotations on iOS and Android.
1. Adobe Acrobat Mobile App (iOS & Android)
Why use it?
✅ Free to use for basic annotation tools
✅ Works across devices (mobile, tablet, and desktop)
✅ Syncs with Adobe Cloud for easy access
How to Strikethrough Text in Adobe Acrobat Mobile:
1. Download and open the Adobe Acrobat Reader app.
2. Tap Open File and select your PDF.
3. Tap on the Comment tool (speech bubble icon).
4. Choose Strikethrough from the text markup options.
5. Drag over the text you want to strikethrough.
6. Tap Save to apply the changes.
Pros:
✔️ Works with both local and cloud-stored PDFs
✔️ Easy-to-use interface
✔️ Supports highlighting, underlining, and sticky notes
Cons:
❌ Some features require an Adobe subscription
❌ Can be slow for very large PDFs
2. Xodo PDF Reader & Editor (iOS & Android)
Why use it?
✅ 100% free with no ads
✅ Works offline without internet access
✅ Supports multiple annotation tools
How to Strikethrough Text in Xodo PDF:
1. Open Xodo and import your PDF.
2. Tap the Annotate button.
3. Select Strikethrough and apply it to the text.
4. Adjust the color and thickness if needed.
5. Tap Save when finished.
Pros:
✔️ Completely free with no hidden fees
✔️ Allows handwriting and shape annotations
✔️ Syncs with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive
Cons:
❌ Some users report slow performance on very large files
❌ Lacks advanced text editing features
3. Foxit PDF Editor (iOS & Android)
Why use it?
✅ Lightweight and fast PDF reader
✅ Supports advanced markup tools
✅ Works with password-protected PDFs
How to Strikethrough Text in Foxit PDF:
1. Open Foxit PDF and load your document.
2. Tap the Annotation tool.
3. Choose Strikethrough from the markup options.
4. Drag over the text you want to mark.
5. Save and export your PDF.
Pros:
✔️ Faster performance than many PDF apps
✔️ Works with encrypted or secured PDFs
✔️ Supports cloud syncing and file sharing
Cons:
❌ Free version has limited features
❌ Some advanced tools require a paid upgrade
For free and easy PDF strikethrough annotations, Xodo PDF is a fantastic choice. If you prefer Adobe’s ecosystem, Acrobat Mobile offers great features with cloud integration. Foxit PDF Editor is ideal if you work with protected PDFs or need fast performance. Pick the app that best suits your workflow and start marking up PDFs effortlessly!
Advanced Editing: Removing or Editing Struck-Through Text
Strikethrough is a great way to mark text for removal or revision in PDFs, but what if you need to edit or delete the text completely? This section explains the difference between annotations vs. direct text editing, the tools that allow full text modifications, and when to use strikethrough vs. permanent deletion.
1. Strikethrough vs. Direct Text Editing
🔹 Strikethrough Annotations
- Used for markups and feedback rather than actual text removal.
- The original text remains visible and can be restored.
- Best for reviewing documents without altering the content.
🔹 Direct Text Editing
- Allows permanent changes to the document.
- Requires a PDF editor that supports full text modification.
- Best for correcting errors or finalizing a document.
2. Tools for Editing or Removing Struck-Through Text
Adobe Acrobat Pro (Paid)
✅ Allows full text editing (change, delete, or replace text).
✅ Convert PDFs into editable formats like Word.
✅ Supports OCR for scanned PDFs.
How to Remove or Edit Struck-Through Text:
1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2. Click Edit PDF from the toolbar.
3. Select the text and make changes.
4. Click Save when finished.
Best For: Professionals who need advanced PDF editing.
Nitro PDF Editor (Windows, Paid)
✅ Powerful text and image editing tools.
✅ Supports batch text removal.
✅ Allows you to convert PDFs to editable formats.
How to Edit Text in Nitro PDF:
1. Open the document in Nitro PDF Editor.
2. Click on Edit and select the struck-through text.
3. Modify or delete the text.
4. Save the updated document.
Best For: Businesses that need efficient document editing.
PDF-XChange Editor (Windows, Free & Paid)
✅ Lightweight but powerful PDF editor.
✅ Supports text editing, annotations, and OCR.
✅ Free version includes basic text editing tools.
How to Remove Strikethrough in PDF-XChange:
1. Open the document in PDF-XChange Editor.
2. Click on the Comment tool and select the struck-through text.
3. Right-click and choose Delete Annotation.
4. If editing the text, use the Edit Content tool.
Best For: Users looking for a budget-friendly alternative to Adobe Acrobat.
3. When to Use Strikethrough vs. Deleting Text
✅ Use Strikethrough When:
- Reviewing drafts before finalizing changes.
- Collaborating on documents with teams or clients.
- Marking text for future reference or discussion.
✅ Delete Text When:
- Preparing a final version of the document.
- Removing confidential or outdated information.
- Making permanent corrections to a file.
If you only need to suggest edits, strikethrough annotations are perfect. However, if you want to delete or modify text permanently, tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, Nitro PDF, or PDF-XChange Editor allow full editing capabilities. Choose the method that best fits your workflow and editing needs!
Conclusion: Mastering Strikethrough in PDFs
Strikethrough is a powerful tool for reviewing, editing, and collaborating on PDFs. Whether you’re marking up documents, proofreading, or giving feedback, knowing how to use strikethrough efficiently makes document management easier.
Key Takeaways:
- Use annotations for temporary strikethroughs and full-text editing for permanent changes.
- Free tools like Adobe Acrobat Reader, Xodo, and PDF4Sure work well for simple strikethroughs.
- Advanced editors like Adobe Acrobat Pro or Nitro PDF allow complete text modifications.
- Scanned PDFs require OCR first before applying text markups.
💡 Try PDF4Sure for quick and free PDF annotations today!
FAQs: Fixing Common Issues
Strikethrough is a useful tool for marking text in PDFs, but sometimes users face issues while applying or modifying it. Here are solutions to some of the most frequently asked questions about strikethrough in PDFs.
1. Why can’t I strikethrough text in my PDF?
Possible Reasons & Fixes:
- PDF is a scanned document → Use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) in Adobe Acrobat Pro, Smallpdf, or PDF-XChange Editor to make the text selectable.
- The document is secured or restricted → Check Document Properties > Security to see if annotations are allowed. If restricted, you may need the password or a PDF editor that removes security.
- Using a basic viewer → Not all PDF viewers support annotations. Try Adobe Acrobat Reader, PDF4Sure, or Xodo.
2. How do I remove a strikethrough from a PDF?
If It’s an Annotation (Not Permanent)
1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF editor.
2. Click on the struck-through text.
3. Press Delete or right-click > Delete Annotation.
If It’s Permanent Text Editing
1. Use Adobe Acrobat Pro, Nitro PDF, or PDF-XChange Editor.
2. Open the file and use the Edit PDF tool to modify or delete text.
3. Save the updated document.
3. Can I change the strikethrough color?
Yes! Most PDF editors allow customization. Here’s how:
Adobe Acrobat Reader → Open the Comment tool, select the strikethrough, and change the color from the Properties menu.
PDF-XChange Editor & Foxit PDF → Right-click the annotation, choose Properties, and select a new color.
4. What’s the best free tool for strikethrough?
Best Free Options:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader – Best for simple annotations.
- PDF4Sure – Best online tool for quick edits.
- Microsoft Edge PDF Viewer – Works without downloads on Windows.
- Xodo PDF – Best for mobile users.
5. Can I strikethrough in a scanned PDF?
Yes, but you need OCR (Optical Character Recognition):
- Use Adobe Acrobat Pro → Open the PDF, go to Scan & OCR > Recognize Text, then apply strikethrough.
- Free alternative: Smallpdf OCR tool (limited free usage).
- After OCR, the text becomes selectable, allowing standard markup tools to work.