How to Fix Diagonal Strikethrough Not Visible in OneNote Equations
Question details
The user is unable to see diagonal strikethroughs applied to equations that are formatted inside a box within OneNote.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote 2021
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting boxed equations with a diagonal strikethrough to cancel out specific mathematical terms.
- Observed behavior
- Horizontal and vertical strikes render normally, but diagonal strikethroughs are entirely invisible when the equation is placed inside a box.
Ensure you have saved your current OneNote notebook and fully synced your changes to OneDrive before attempting software repairs or applying workarounds.
Use a Drawing Overlay as a Workaround
Since OneNote has a known rendering limitation with diagonal strikes inside boxed equations, manually drawing a line is the most reliable immediate fix.
Standard formatting tools in OneNote sometimes struggle to render complex overlapping styles like diagonal strikes in confined equation boxes. Using the native drawing tools allows you to bypass this limitation entirely.
Navigate to the 'Draw' tab on the top ribbon menu in OneNote 2021.
Choose a pen tool from the gallery. You can adjust the color and thickness to match your text font for a seamless look.
Carefully draw a diagonal line directly over the specific part of the equation you wish to strike through. The drawn line will remain visible regardless of the boxed formatting.
Test Outside the Box and Update OneNote
Testing the equation formatting outside the restrictive box can help determine if the issue is a confined rendering bug, which might be fixed in recent updates.
Experience Flawless Note-Taking and Equation Editing with WPS Office
If OneNote's equation formatting limitations disrupt your technical note-taking, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust suite of tools that handle advanced document creation, equations, and precise formatting without the frustrating rendering bugs found in heavier platforms.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button to get the free installation file.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable and follow the quick setup wizard to install the suite on your device.
- 3. Start Creating: Open WPS Writer to create flawless documents with complex equations, completely free of rendering issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Ctrl+Minus only create horizontal strikethroughs?
The Ctrl+Minus shortcut is a standard text formatting command designed to apply regular horizontal strikethroughs. It does not support the specialized diagonal strike formatting required for advanced mathematical equations.
Can I apply a diagonal strikethrough using the Home tab?
No, the Strikethrough button located on the Home tab of the OneNote ribbon only applies standard horizontal strikes to text. It cannot be used to apply diagonal formatting to equation elements.
Will reinstalling OneNote fix the diagonal strikethrough bug?
If the issue is caused by a known rendering limitation in the specific version of OneNote 2021 you are using, reinstalling might not fix it unless a newer update containing a patch is applied. Using drawing overlays is often a faster and more reliable workaround.
