How to Start New Line in Excel Cell

For beginners, Microsoft Excel can be quite daunting. One simple but frequently encountered issue is how to start a new line within a cell. This might seem like a trivial matter, but it can save time and make the data easier to read. In this post, we will explore some straightforward ways to start a new line within an Excel cell and make sure your data looks neat and organized.

Method 1: Alt+Enter Key Combination

The easiest way to start a new line within a cell in Excel is by using the Alt+Enter key combination. It is simple, quick, and can be done with one hand. Follow these steps:

1. Select the cell you want to enter data in.
2. Put your cursor in the place where you want to start a new line.
3. Press Alt+Enter simultaneously.
4. Continue typing your data on the next line.

Method 2: Wrap Text Option

You can also start a new line in Excel by using the Wrap Text feature. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the cell you want to enter data in.
2. Click the Home tab on the Ribbon.
3. Find the Wrap Text button in the Alignment group.
4. Click the Wrap Text button.
5. Continue typing your data on a new line.

Note:

The Wrap Text option is especially useful when you have a lot of text in a cell, and you want to see all of it at once. It automatically adjusts the height of the cell to fit all the text without cutting it off or making it look cramped.

Method 3: Concatenate Function

This method is useful when you want to combine text from several cells into one cell, with each separate line from the original cells appearing on a new line in the new cell. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the cell where you want the combined text to appear.
2. Type the Excel formula =concatenate(cell1,” “, cell2)
3. Replace cell1 with the address of the first cell you want to combine.
4. Replace cell2 with the address of the second cell.
5. Add &char(10)& between the two cell references, like this: =concatenate(cell1,”&char(10)&”, cell2)
6. Press Enter on your keyboard.

Note:

Using the Char(10) code combination tells Excel to insert a line break at that point in the formula.

With these three methods, you can now start a new line within an Excel cell with ease, improving your data presentation and making your work look more professional. Remember to practice each of these methods to find what works best for you. Happy spreadsheet designing!

Tips for Working with Wrapped Text

When you use the Wrap Text feature to start a new line within an Excel cell, there are some things to keep in mind:

• The row height will adjust automatically to fit the text in the cell. You can manually adjust the row height by selecting the row and dragging the bottom border downwards, but this can cause inconsistencies between rows and make the sheet harder to read.
• Cells to the right of the wrapped text may appear truncated. This can be fixed by merging the cells to the right into a single large cell so that the entire text is visible.

Using the CHAR Formula

The CONCATENATE formula mentioned in Method 3 above can be replaced with the newer CONCAT formula in Excel 2016 and later versions. Another alternative is using the CHAR formula to add line breaks to a cell. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the cell where you want to add line breaks.
2. Type the CHAR function in the formula bar as follows: =”First Line”&CHAR(10)&”Second Line”
3. Replace First Line and Second Line with the text you want to enter in each line of the cell.
4. Press Enter on your keyboard.

Note:

The CHAR function can be used to insert other special characters into your Excel data. For example, to add bullet points to a cell, you can use the formula: =”• “&CHAR(10)&”• “&CHAR(10)&”• “

Using line breaks in Excel cells can make your data look more compelling, easier to read, and organized. Now that you know how to start a new line in an Excel cell, try it out and see the difference it makes in your spreadsheets!

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about starting a new line in Excel cells:

Can I start a new line in a cell without using the Wrap Text option?

Yes, you can use the Alt+Enter key combination to start a new line in a cell. Pressing Alt+Enter simultaneously will move the cursor to the next line within the same cell.

Can I wrap text in multiple cells at once?

Yes, you can apply the Wrap Text feature to multiple cells at the same time by selecting the cells you want to wrap, then clicking the Wrap Text button in the Home tab of the Ribbon.

How can I adjust the height of a row containing wrapped text?

The row height will adjust automatically to fit the text in a cell with wrapped text. However, you can manually adjust the row height by selecting the row and dragging the bottom border downwards, as long as the cell with the wrapped text is in that row.

How many lines can I wrap in a single cell?

Excel allows for up to 253 lines of text within a single cell.

What is the difference between CHAR(10) and CHAR(13) in Excel?

CHAR(10) inserts a line feed (LF) character that starts a new line, while CHAR(13) inserts a carriage return (CR) character that moves the cursor to the beginning of the same line. For starting a new line, use CHAR(10).