How to Return in an Excel Cell

When working in Excel, you might need to add line breaks or “return” within a cell to organize your data better. This is especially useful for creating lists, formatting addresses, or making text easier to read. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to return in an Excel cell, along with tips and troubleshooting advice.

What Does “Return” Mean in Excel?

In Excel, “return” refers to inserting a line break within a cell. This allows you to start a new line of text without moving to the next cell. For example, you can use it to format an address like this:

123 Main St  
City, State, ZIP  

How to Return in an Excel Cell

Method 1: Using a Keyboard Shortcut

Step 1: Select the Cell

1. Click on the cell where you want to add a line break.

Step 2: Enter Edit Mode

1. Double-click the cell or press F2 to enter edit mode.

Step 3: Insert a Line Break

1. Place the cursor where you want the line break.
2. Press Alt + Enter (Windows) or Command + Option + Enter (Mac).
3. The text will move to the next line within the same cell.

Method 2: Using the Wrap Text Feature

Step 1: Select the Cell

1. Click on the cell where you want to add a line break.

Step 2: Enable Wrap Text

1. Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
2. Click the Wrap Text button in the Alignment group.
3. The text will automatically wrap to fit the cell width.

Step 3: Adjust Cell Size (Optional)

1. Resize the cell by dragging the row or column borders to make the text fit better.

Method 3: Using a Formula

If you want to combine text from multiple cells with line breaks, you can use the CHAR function:

1. Use the formula:Copy=A1 & CHAR(10) & A2
   • Replace A1 and A2 with the cell references you want to combine.
   • CHAR(10) represents a line break in Excel.
2. Press Enter.
3. Enable Wrap Text to display the line breaks correctly.

Tips for Using Line Breaks in Excel

Use Wrap Text for Long Text

If you have long text that needs to fit within a cell, use the Wrap Text feature to avoid manual line breaks.

Adjust Row Height

After adding line breaks, adjust the row height to ensure all text is visible.

Combine with Concatenation

Use the & operator and CHAR(10) to combine text from multiple cells with line breaks.

Avoid Overusing Line Breaks

Too many line breaks can make your spreadsheet look cluttered. Use them sparingly for better readability.

Troubleshooting Line Breaks in Excel

Line Breaks Not Showing?

If line breaks aren’t visible, ensure Wrap Text is enabled for the cell.

Extra Spaces After Line Breaks?

Remove extra spaces by editing the cell and deleting unnecessary characters.

Formula Not Working?

If the CHAR(10) formula isn’t displaying line breaks, check that Wrap Text is enabled.

FAQs About Returning in Excel Cells

Can I add multiple line breaks in one cell?

Yes, you can add as many line breaks as needed using Alt + Enter or CHAR(10).

How do I remove a line break?

Edit the cell and delete the line break manually or use the SUBSTITUTE function to replace CHAR(10) with a space.

Can I use line breaks in formulas?

Yes, use CHAR(10) to insert line breaks in formulas.

Do line breaks work in Excel Online?

Yes, you can use Alt + Enter in Excel Online to add line breaks.

Can I copy cells with line breaks to other programs?

Yes, but the formatting may not always transfer correctly. Use Paste Special to preserve formatting.

Conclusion

Knowing how to return in an Excel cell is a simple yet powerful skill that can improve the readability and organization of your spreadsheets. Whether you’re using keyboard shortcuts, the Wrap Text feature, or formulas, this guide has everything you need to master line breaks in Excel. By following these steps and tips, you’ll be able to format your data effectively and create professional-looking spreadsheets.