Formatting Issues

Can You Change Font Color or Add Strikethrough to an Excel Sheet Name?

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to change the text color or apply a strikethrough formatting effect to the name of a worksheet tab.

Can You Change the Font Color or Add Strikethrough to an Excel Sheet Name?

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Visually organizing, categorizing, or marking the status of different worksheet tabs within a workbook.
Observed behavior: Excel sheet tabs do not offer built-in options for rich text formatting, meaning users cannot directly apply font colors or strikethrough to the tab name.

Before you start

While Excel does not support rich text formatting on sheet tab names, you can use built-in tab background colors and Unicode symbols to visually distinguish your sheets effectively.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Tab Colors and Unicode Symbols as Alternatives

Since native font formatting isn't supported, you can use tab background colors or insert Unicode symbols (like a checkmark or cross) into the sheet name to indicate its status.

Excel does not allow you to change the font color or apply a strikethrough effect directly to the sheet name. However, Excel will automatically change the font color to white if you apply a dark background color to the tab.

You can also paste specific symbols into the tab name to simulate a completed or crossed-out status.

Change Tab Background Color

Right-click the sheet tab you want to modify at the bottom of the window. Select 'Tab Color' from the context menu and choose a color. Excel will automatically adjust the text color to maintain readability.

Rename Sheet with Unicode Symbols

Double-click the sheet tab to rename it. Instead of strikethrough, paste a symbol such as '❌' or '✔️' next to the sheet name (e.g., '❌ Old Data') and press Enter to save.

Use Tab Colors and Unicode Symbols as Alternatives

Font Color Adaptation: You cannot manually pick the font color for a tab. Excel controls this automatically; light tab backgrounds get black text, and dark tab backgrounds get white text.

Solution 2

Create a Formatted Index Sheet

If specific rich text formatting like strikethrough is strictly required for tracking project progress, apply it within worksheet cells rather than on the tabs themselves.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Format Your Spreadsheets Easily with WPS Office

While no spreadsheet software allows direct strikethrough on tab names due to system architecture, WPS Office provides a highly intuitive interface for color-coding tabs, organizing workbooks, and applying rich text formatting to your cells. It is a lightweight, cost-effective solution for all your spreadsheet needs.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your existing spreadsheet document.
2. Color Code Your Tabs: Right-click any worksheet tab at the bottom, select 'Sheet Tab Color', and pick a color to categorize your data.
3. Format Cell Data: Use the Home tab to easily apply strikethrough, font colors, and other rich text formatting to your tracker cells.

Free, lightweight, and features a user-friendly interfaceFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formatsEasily organize and color-code worksheet tabsApply advanced cell formatting with a single click

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I change the font color of an Excel sheet tab?

Excel's architecture designs sheet tabs to function as plain text system labels to maintain UI consistency and performance. The only dynamic change permitted is the automatic font color flip (black or white) depending on the background tab color you select.

Is there a way to hide a sheet instead of using strikethrough?

Yes. If you want to indicate that a sheet is no longer active or relevant, hiding it is a great alternative. Right-click the sheet tab and select 'Hide' from the context menu. To reveal it later, right-click any visible tab and choose 'Unhide'.

Can I use VBA macros to change the tab font color or add strikethrough?

No. Even with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), the properties available for a worksheet object only allow you to modify the 'Tab.Color' (the background color). There is no property in Excel's object model to modify the tab's font style or font color.

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