When working with data in Excel, sometimes you need to insert a line break within a cell to make the content easier to read or to format it in a specific way. But how exactly do you do that? It’s not as simple as hitting the ‘Enter’ key, which would take you to the next cell. Instead, there’s a quick keyboard shortcut that will have you formatting like a pro in no time.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Return in Excel Cell
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to insert a line break within a cell. Perhaps you’re working with a long string of text that you want to break up for readability, or maybe you’re creating a list within a single cell. Whatever the reason, following these steps will help you achieve the desired result.
Step 1: Select the cell where you want to insert a line break
Click on the cell where you want the line break to appear.
This is the starting point for inserting a line break. Make sure you’re in the cell where you want the new line to begin.
Step 2: Position the cursor where you want the line break
Click on the formula bar at the top of the screen to position the cursor where you want the line break.
You’ll see the cursor blinking in the spot where you clicked. This is where the new line will begin after you complete the next step.
Step 3: Press ‘Alt’ + ‘Enter’
While holding down the ‘Alt’ key on your keyboard, press ‘Enter’.
This keyboard shortcut is the magic key to inserting a line break within a cell in Excel. After pressing these keys, you’ll see the text move to a new line within the same cell.
After completing these steps, you’ll see that the text in the cell now appears on multiple lines, making it easier to read and format.
Tips: How to Return in Excel Cell
When it comes to inserting line breaks in Excel, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure ‘Wrap Text’ is enabled for the cell to see the line break.
- You can use this shortcut as many times as needed within a single cell.
- If you’re using a Mac, the shortcut is ‘Command’ + ‘Option’ + ‘Enter’.
- This method works in all versions of Excel.
- Remember to adjust the row height if the new lines cause the text to be cut off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you insert a line break in Excel on a Mac?
On a Mac, the shortcut for inserting a line break in Excel is ‘Command’ + ‘Option’ + ‘Enter’.
This shortcut accomplishes the same task as ‘Alt’ + ‘Enter’ on a Windows machine, allowing you to insert a line break within a cell.
Can you use this method to insert multiple line breaks in one cell?
Yes, you can use the ‘Alt’ + ‘Enter’ shortcut multiple times within the same cell to insert multiple line breaks.
Each time you use the shortcut, a new line break will be inserted at the cursor’s position, allowing you to create lists or separate paragraphs within a single cell.
Will the line break be visible if the cell is not selected?
Yes, the line break will be visible even when the cell is not selected, as long as ‘Wrap Text’ is enabled for that cell.
When ‘Wrap Text’ is enabled, Excel automatically adjusts the cell’s height to accommodate the multiple lines, making the line break visible at all times.
What happens if ‘Wrap Text’ is not enabled?
If ‘Wrap Text’ is not enabled, the line break will still be inserted, but it might not be visible because the cell won’t expand to show the additional lines.
You can enable ‘Wrap Text’ by selecting the cell, going to the ‘Home’ tab, and clicking on the ‘Wrap Text’ button in the ‘Alignment’ group.
Can you remove a line break once it’s inserted?
Yes, you can remove a line break by positioning the cursor at the beginning of the line that was created by the break and pressing ‘Backspace’.
This will remove the line break and join the text back together. You can repeat this process for multiple line breaks if needed.
Summary
- Select the cell.
- Position the cursor.
- Press ‘Alt’ + ‘Enter’.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of inserting a line break in an Excel cell is a nifty trick that can greatly enhance the readability and formatting of your data. It’s one of those simple yet effective techniques that can save you from the frustration of data appearing cluttered or unorganized. With just a few keystrokes, you can transform your cells from a wall of text to a neatly arranged and easy-to-read display.
Don’t forget to share this newfound knowledge with your colleagues or friends who might also be struggling with Excel formatting. And remember, practice makes perfect! The more you use this shortcut, the more natural it will become, and soon enough, you’ll be returning in Excel cells without a second thought.
Happy formatting!
Matthew Simpson has been creating online tutorial for computers and smartphones since 2010. His work has been read millions of times and helped people to solve a number of various tech problems. His specialties include Windows, iPhones, and Google apps.