How to Insert a Line Break in Excel – 3 Methods

This is the an overview.

Overview image on How to Do a Line Break in Excel with 3 formulas

 


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Method 1 – How to Insert a Line Break in Excel using Keyboard Shortcuts

press Alt and Enter to insert a line break

  • Double-click the cell and place your cursor where you want to create the line break. For Windows, press Alt + Enter. For Mac, press Control + Option + Enter.

cell outputs with line breaks

Repeat the process to create other line breaks.

Note:

If cell content is not fully displayed, adjust the row height manually. You can also double-click the row borders to adjust it automatically.


Method 2 – Use the Find and Replace Command to Add a Line Break After a Specific Character

Replace a particular character with a line break.

press Ctrl and H keys after selecting the range

Select C5:C11 and press Ctrl+H.

input necessary fields in find and replace box

  • In the Find and Replace dialog box, insert:

Find what >> A space

Replace with >> Press Ctrl + J (the shortcut for character 10, a line break, in the ASCII code).

  • Click Replace All.

replaced spaces with line breaks

This is the output.

Read More: Find and Replace Line Breaks in Excel


Method 3 – Insert a Line Break with the CHAR Function in Excel

3.1 Use the Ampersand Sign to Start a New Line

combine Ampersand and CHAR for line break

Use the formula in E5:

=B5 & CHAR(10) & C5 & CHAR(10) & D5

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.


3.2 Use the CONCAT Function to insert a Line Break

combine CONCAT and CHAR for line break

In cell E5, enter the formula:

=CONCAT(B5, CHAR(10), C5, CHAR(10), D5)

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

The formula concatenates the values in B5:D5 with a line break in between.


3.3 Add a Line Break with the TEXTJOIN Function

 

combine TEXTJOIN and CHAR for line break

Use the formula in E5:

=TEXTJOIN(CHAR(10), TRUE, B5:D5)

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

The formula joins the values in B5:D5 with a line break after each cell value and ignores empty values.

Use a Defined Name Instead of CHAR(10) in Excel Formulas

select define name

  • Go to the Formulas tab > click Defined Names > select Define Name.

create LB for CHAR(10)

  • In the dialog box, input:

Name > LB

Scope > Workbook

Refers to > =CHAR(10)

  • Click OK.

LB is used instead of CHAR(10) in the formulas. For example:

=B5 & LB & C5 & LB & D5

How to Enable the Wrap Text Feature in Excel (to insert a Line Break Automatically)

cells without wrap text

The above image shows the cell content in column B exceeding the cell width.

wrap text enabled

  • Select B5:B11 and go to the Home tab.
  • Click Argument > select Wrap Text.

Content is adjusted to fit the column width.

Read More: How to Make Excel Go to Next Line Automatically


How to Create a New Line in a Formula Bar in Excel

press Alt and Enter in formula bar

  • Select the cell and go to the formula bar.
  • Click and place the cursor where you need to insert a line break.  For Windows, press Alt+Enter. For Mac, press Control + Option + Enter.

formula with line breaks

This is the output.


How to Remove Line Breaks in Excel

press Ctrl and H keys after selecting the range

put necessary fields in find and replace box

  • In the Find and Replace dialog box, enter:

Find what >> Press Ctrl + J

Replace with >> A space

  • Click Replace All.

replaced line breaks with spaces

Adjust column width and you’ll see the cell content in a single line.


Things to Remember

  • The code for a line break in Windows is 10, so use CHAR(10). For Mac, is 13, so use CHAR(13).

 

Related Articles


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Abrar-ur-Rahman Niloy
Abrar-ur-Rahman Niloy

Abrar-ur-Rahman Niloy, holding a B.Sc. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, has contributed to Exceldemy for nearly 1.5 years. As a leader in Excel, VBA, and Content Development teams, he authored 114+ articles and assisted the Exceldemy forum. Presently, as a project writer, he prioritizes stepping out of his comfort zone, aiming for constant technical improvement. Niloy's interests encompass Excel & VBA, Pivot Table, Power Query, Python, Data Analysis, and Machine Learning libraries, showcasing his commitment to diverse... Read Full Bio

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