Strikethrough text on emails in Outlook indicates that a rule or filter is marking those messages as read or processed. This is a common question for many users: why does outlook strikethrough emails suddenly, and how can you stop it? It often happens without warning, leaving you confused about what changed.
You open Outlook, and some messages in your inbox have a line through them. They look crossed out, like you already dealt with them. But you haven’t. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on visual cues to manage your workload.
The good news is that this behavior is usually caused by a specific setting or rule. It is not a bug or a virus. Let’s break down the main reasons and show you how to fix it step by step.
Why Does Outlook Strikethrough Emails
The primary reason emails appear with a strikethrough in Outlook is that a rule, either automatic or manually created, is marking them as read. When Outlook marks a message as read, it can also apply a strikethrough format if the rule specifies that. This is often tied to a “read receipt” or a “processing” rule.
Another common cause is the “Conditional Formatting” feature. This feature lets you change how messages look based on certain conditions. If someone set up a rule to strikethrough messages from a specific sender or with a certain subject, that’s what you see.
Sometimes, it’s a simple setting like “Mark as read when viewed in the Reading Pane.” If you click on an email in the list, it gets marked as read and may get a strikethrough if a rule is active. Let’s explore each cause in detail.
Automatic Rules And Filters
Outlook has powerful rule engines. You can create rules to automatically move, delete, or mark emails. A rule that marks an email as read and then applies a strikethrough is common. This is often done to indicate that the email has been “processed” by an add-in or a custom script.
For example, if you use a third-party tool for task management, it might mark emails as read and strikethrough them once they are added to your task list. Check if you have any add-ins installed that might be doing this.
To check your rules, go to the “File” tab, then “Manage Rules & Alerts.” Look for any rule that says “mark it as read” or “apply a format.” If you see one, you can edit or delete it.
Conditional Formatting Settings
Conditional formatting is different from rules. It changes the appearance of emails based on conditions like who sent them or what they contain. This is often used to highlight important emails, but it can also apply a strikethrough.
To check conditional formatting, go to the “View” tab, then “View Settings,” and click “Conditional Formatting.” Look for any condition that applies a strikethrough. If you find one, you can remove it or change the format.
Common conditions include “from a specific person” or “subject contains certain words.” If you have a condition that matches a lot of emails, they will all show with a strikethrough.
Reading Pane Settings
The Reading Pane is where you preview emails without opening them. By default, Outlook marks an email as read after you view it in the Reading Pane for a few seconds. This marking as read can trigger a rule that applies a strikethrough.
To change this, go to “File” > “Options” > “Mail.” Under the “Outlook panes” section, click “Reading Pane.” Uncheck “Mark items as read when viewed in the Reading Pane.” This will stop Outlook from automatically marking emails as read.
If you still want to mark emails as read manually, you can use the “Mark as Read” button or right-click and select that option. This gives you control over when the strikethrough appears.
Add-Ins And Third-Party Tools
Add-ins are small programs that extend Outlook’s functionality. Some add-ins, especially those for CRM or task management, automatically mark emails as read and apply a strikethrough to indicate they have been processed.
If you recently installed a new add-in, try disabling it to see if the strikethrough stops. Go to “File” > “Options” > “Add-ins.” Look for any add-in that might be related to email processing or task management.
Common culprits include add-ins for Trello, Asana, or Salesforce. Disable them one by one to identify the cause. If the strikethrough stops after disabling an add-in, you have found the problem.
Exchange Server Or Office 365 Policies
If you are using Outlook with an Exchange Server or Office 365, your IT administrator might have set up policies that apply strikethrough to certain emails. This is common in corporate environments where emails are automatically processed.
For example, an admin might create a rule that marks all emails from external senders as read and strikethrough them. This is done for security or compliance reasons. You cannot change these policies from your end.
If you suspect this is the case, contact your IT support team. They can check the server-side rules and explain why emails are being strikethroughed. They might also be able to adjust the policy for you.
How To Remove Strikethrough From Emails
If you want to remove the strikethrough from individual emails, you can do so manually. Select the email, then go to the “Format Text” tab. In the “Font” group, click the “Strikethrough” button (it looks like an “ab” with a line through it).
This will remove the strikethrough from that specific email. However, if the rule or condition is still active, the strikethrough will come back when you receive new emails. The fix is to address the root cause.
For a permanent fix, follow the steps above to check rules, conditional formatting, and add-ins. Once you disable the cause, the strikethrough will stop appearing on new emails.
Step-By-Step: Disable Strikethrough Rules
- Open Outlook and go to the “File” tab.
- Click “Manage Rules & Alerts.”
- Look for any rule that has “mark it as read” or “apply a format” in its description.
- Select the rule and click “Change Rule” or “Delete.”
- If you delete the rule, the strikethrough will stop.
- If you want to keep the rule but remove the strikethrough, click “Change Rule” > “Edit Rule Settings.”
- In the rule wizard, look for the action “mark it as read” or “apply a format.” Remove that action.
- Click “Finish” and then “OK.”
This process will stop the rule from applying the strikethrough. Remember to check for multiple rules that might be doing this.
Step-By-Step: Disable Conditional Formatting
- Go to the “View” tab in Outlook.
- Click “View Settings” in the “Current View” group.
- Click “Conditional Formatting.”
- Look for any condition that has a strikethrough format applied.
- Select the condition and click “Delete” to remove it.
- If you want to keep the condition but change the format, click “Font” and uncheck “Strikethrough.”
- Click “OK” to save changes.
This will remove the strikethrough from all emails that matched that condition. New emails will no longer get the strikethrough.
Step-By-Step: Disable Add-Ins
- Go to “File” > “Options” > “Add-ins.”
- At the bottom, next to “Manage,” select “COM Add-ins” and click “Go.”
- Uncheck any add-in that you suspect might be causing the strikethrough.
- Click “OK” and restart Outlook.
- If the strikethrough stops, you have found the culprit.
- You can then decide to keep the add-in disabled or contact the developer for support.
Some add-ins might be essential for your work. In that case, check the add-in’s settings to see if you can disable the strikethrough feature.
Why Does This Happen On Some Emails But Not Others
If only some emails have a strikethrough, it is likely due to a rule or condition that targets specific senders, subjects, or other criteria. For example, you might have a rule that strikethroughs emails from a specific mailing list.
Check the conditions in your rules and conditional formatting. Look for patterns. Are the strikethroughed emails all from the same sender? Do they all have the same word in the subject? This will help you identify the condition.
Once you know the pattern, you can edit the rule or condition to remove the strikethrough. You can also add an exception to the rule if you want to keep the rule for other emails.
Common Misconceptions
Some people think the strikethrough means the email is deleted or moved. This is not true. The email is still in your inbox. It just has a visual change. You can still open, reply, and forward it normally.
Another misconception is that it is caused by a virus or malware. While it is possible, it is very rare. The most common causes are rules, conditional formatting, or add-ins. Always check those first.
Some users think it is a bug in Outlook. While Outlook has bugs, this behavior is almost always intentional. It is a feature that is being used incorrectly or without your knowledge.
How To Prevent It In The Future
To prevent the strikethrough from appearing again, be careful when creating rules or conditional formatting. Always check the actions you are applying. Avoid using “mark it as read” unless you are sure.
If you use add-ins, read their documentation to understand what they do. Some add-ins automatically apply strikethrough as part of their workflow. If you don’t want that, look for a setting to disable it.
Regularly review your rules and conditional formatting. Over time, you might forget about a rule you created. A quick check every few months can prevent surprises.
When To Contact IT Support
If you have tried all the steps above and the strikethrough still appears, it might be a server-side policy. Contact your IT support team. They can check if there are any rules on the Exchange server or Office 365 that are causing this.
IT support can also check if there are any group policies that apply strikethrough to certain emails. They might be able to create an exception for you or adjust the policy.
If you are using Outlook for personal use (not connected to a work server), you can try repairing your Outlook data file. Go to “File” > “Account Settings” > “Account Settings” > “Data Files.” Select your data file and click “Repair.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some emails have a line through them in Outlook?
This is usually caused by a rule or conditional formatting that marks the email as read and applies a strikethrough. It can also be due to an add-in or a server-side policy.
How do I stop Outlook from strikethrough emails?
Check your rules, conditional formatting, and add-ins. Disable any rule that applies a strikethrough. Also, check the Reading Pane settings to stop automatic marking as read.
Can I remove the strikethrough from a single email?
Yes, select the email, go to the “Format Text” tab, and click the “Strikethrough” button. This removes it from that email only. It will come back if the rule is still active.
Does strikethrough mean the email is deleted?
No, the email is still in your inbox. It is just visually marked. You can still open, reply, and forward it.
Why does Outlook strikethrough emails from a specific sender?
You likely have a rule or conditional formatting that targets that sender. Check your rules and conditional formatting for conditions that include that sender’s email address.
By following these steps, you can understand and fix why Outlook is strikethrough your emails. It is a simple setting that is easy to overlook. Once you find the cause, you can restore your inbox to normal.
Remember to check all possible causes: rules, conditional formatting, add-ins, and server policies. Most of the time, it is a rule you created or an add-in you installed. With a little patience, you can solve this problem quickly.
If you still have issues, consider resetting your Outlook view. Go to the “View” tab, click “Reset Current View.” This will remove any custom formatting and restore the default view. It might remove the strikethrough if it was part of a custom view.
Finally, keep your Outlook updated. Microsoft often releases updates that fix bugs and improve performance. An outdated version might have issues that cause unexpected behavior. Check for updates in “File” > “Office Account” > “Update Options.”
Now you know the answer to why does outlook strikethrough emails. It is a feature, not a bug. With the right steps, you can control it and keep your inbox organized the way you want.