How to Insert a Line Break in Excel - 3 Methods

This is the an overview.

Download Practice Workbook

Download the workbook.

Do a Line Break.xlsx

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

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.

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.

Select C5:C11 and press Ctrl+H.

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.

This is the output.

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

The CHAR function takes a numerical argument and returns the character. CHAR(10) indicates a line break in Excel formulas.

3.1 Use the Ampersand Sign to Start a New Line

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

The CONCAT function takes several arguments and concatenates all the values.

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

The TEXTJOIN function joins texts with a delimiter.

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

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

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)

The Wrap Text feature inserts a line break at the point where the text exceeds the column width of the cell.

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

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

Content is adjusted to fit the column width.

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

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.