Windows Mac
AltEnter ⌃⌥Return

About This Shortcut 

Normally, when you press the Enter key, Excel moves the cursor to the next cell. To insert a line break (i.e. a new line) inside a cell, you need to use a shortcut. Here at the steps:

(1) Move the cursor where you want to break the line

Move cursor to break point

(2) Type Alt + Enter

Type Alt + Enter

(3) Make sure "wrap text"is enabled to see lines wrap in cell:

Make sure Wrap Text is enabled

Notes

  1. You can use this technique to make nested IF formulas easier to read.
  2. You can also enter a new line using a formula.
  3. Mac Excel 365 supports Alt + Enter. Otherwise see original shortcut above.

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Dave Bruns

Hi - I'm Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.