How to Enter in Excel – our guide to adding a line break

Here's how you can use Enter to add line breaks in Excel!

Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock

Last Updated on July 11, 2024
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If you want to learn how to Enter in Excel, you’ve come to the right place.

The Enter key in Excel doesn’t work like it usually should. Instead of breaking the line, it takes you to the next cell. Some users, especially the new ones, find this pretty annoying, as they are used to using the Enter key to go to the next line. But in Excel, things work differently.

To help you out, we’re going to explain how to Enter in Excel so you can add line breaks quickly in your text.

1

Adding a line break using Enter in Excel

It is possible to add a line break in a cell by using the Enter key, but you’ll need to pair it with another key.

Step

1

Click on any cell

First, select a cell which contains a line of text and then click where you want the line to break.

Learn how to use Enter in Excel

Step

2

Press Alt + Enter

Now, press Alt + Enter on your keyboard to add a line break, and the text should look like this.

Learn how to add a line break using Enter in Excel

If you’re using a Mac, you’ll need to press Ctrl + Option + Return.

2

Adding a line break through the Formula bar

Alternatively, you can also use the Formula bar to add a line break.

Step

1

Select the cell

First, select the Cell. Then, go to the Formula bar and click on where you want to add a line break.

Learn how to add a line break using Enter in Excel

Step

2

Press the keys

Now, press Alt + Enter on your keyboard, and the line will break.

Learn how to add a line break using Enter in Excel

Conclusion 

This was all about how to Enter in Excel. Adding line breaks to cells that contain words and sentences in Excel isn’t hard, but it can be confusing if you don’t know how. Using Enter in Excel without this info can otherwise feel a bit odd. But, hopefully, you now know about some useful key commands for separating sentences in your cells. 

To learn more about Excel, follow these helpful guides:

Kevin is the Editor of PC Guide. He has a broad interest and enthusiasm for consumer electronics, PCs and all things consumer tech - and more than 15 years experience in tech journalism.