SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix SharePoint Completed Tasks Showing Strikethrough

Camila Milosovich Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove the strikethrough formatting from completed tasks in a SharePoint list, as the formatting persists despite the setting appearing to be disabled.

How to Fix SharePoint Completed Tasks Showing Strikethrough

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing the display style of a SharePoint Tasks list to prevent completed items from appearing crossed out.
Observed behavior: Completed items in the Tasks list continue to display a strikethrough formatting even though the option to strike through completed tasks seems to be turned off.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary edit or owner permissions for the SharePoint Tasks list to modify public view settings and styles.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Strikethrough in View Settings

Check and modify the exact view configuration applied to your active Tasks list to ensure the strikethrough style is properly disabled.

By default, SharePoint applies a strikethrough style to completed tasks. This setting is tied to specific list views rather than the entire list globally.

Access List Settings

Open your SharePoint Tasks list, navigate to the top ribbon, and select 'List' followed by 'List Settings'.

Open the Active View

Scroll down to the 'Views' section at the bottom of the settings page and click on the 'All Tasks' view (or your currently active customized view).

Modify the Style Settings

Scroll down the view configuration page to the 'Style' section and click the plus icon to expand it.

Disable Strikethrough

Locate the checkbox for 'Show completed items as struck through'. Uncheck this option, scroll to the bottom or top of the page, and click 'OK' to save your changes.

View Specificity: Remember that if you have multiple views (like a Personal View), you must update this setting for each view individually.

Solution 2

Troubleshoot Browser Cache and List Corruption

Test the list environment to determine if the persistent strikethrough is caused by a caching issue or a corrupted list view.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my SharePoint tasks automatically get a strikethrough?

By default, SharePoint applies a strikethrough style to completed tasks to visually distinguish them from active tasks. This is a built-in style setting attached to the default list view.

Can I change the color of completed tasks instead of using a strikethrough?

Yes, in modern SharePoint, you can use column formatting or view formatting with JSON to customize exactly how completed tasks look, allowing you to change text colors, add icons, or highlight backgrounds instead of using a strikethrough.

Why did modifying the 'All Tasks' view not fix my personal view?

SharePoint list settings apply to specific views. If you are using a custom personal view, modifying the public 'All Tasks' view will not affect it. You must edit the style settings of your personal view directly.

Document & File Issues