Wrap text shortcut in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Start a new line inside the cell How to: How to start a new line in an Excel cell Excel turns on Wrap Text for the cell so the second line shows. | Alt+Enter | Option+Return or Control+Option+Return or Command+Option+Return |
| Open Format Cells How to: Merge cells shortcut in Excel Every number, date, alignment, border and protection option in one dialog. | Ctrl+1 | Command+1 or Control+1 |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
Wrap Text vs a line break
Wrap Text lets Excel break the line wherever the column edge falls, so the breaks move when you resize the column. Alt+Enter puts a break exactly where you press it; Excel turns on Wrap Text for that cell automatically so the second line shows.
When wrapped text does not show
- The row height is fixed. A row you resized by hand no longer grows; double-click the row border to autofit it.
- Merged cells never autofit their height. Unmerge, or set the height by hand.
- The text is a formula result with CHAR(10) breaks: it needs Wrap Text on too.
Turn wrapping off
Press the same Alt, H, W again on Windows, or untick Wrap text in Format Cells. Line breaks typed with Alt+Enter stay in the text; remove them with Find and Replace and Ctrl+J.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
KeyTips change with the language
Alt sequences such as Alt+H, O, I are ribbon KeyTips: press Alt and the letters appear on screen. They come from the English ribbon. In another language, or when an add-in adds a tab, the letters can differ, so read them off the screen rather than memorizing them.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Show the KeyTips (letters on every tab and button)Press and release, then type the letters that appear. Excel for the web on a Mac: Microsoft says to press Control+Option to start. | Alt or F10Web Alt+Windows key | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Go to the Home tab | Alt+HWeb Alt+Windows key, H | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
FAQ
What is the shortcut to wrap text in Excel?
On Windows, Alt, then H, then W. On a Mac there is no shortcut; use Format Cells (Cmd+1) or the Wrap Text button.
How do I wrap text in Excel for the web?
Home > Wrap Text. Microsoft lists no separate wrap key for the web.
Why does my row not get taller?
Its height was set by hand. Double-click the border under the row number to autofit it.
Related guides
- Combine cells with a line break in ExcelJoin the cells with CHAR(10), Excel's line break character: =A2&CHAR(10)&B2&CHAR(10)&C2.
- How to remove line breaks in Excel cellsUse =SUBSTITUTE(B2,CHAR(10),", ") to swap each line break for a comma and space, or wrap it in TRIM with a space instead: =TRIM(SUBSTITUTE(B2,CHAR(10)," ")).
Related functions
In the glossary: Wrap TextLine break in a cell