Question

To insert a line break or hard return in a cell, you would press ________.

1) Enter
2) Ctrl + Enter
3) Alt + Enter
4) Shift + Enter

Answer 1

To insert a line break or hard return in a cell, you would press Alt + Enter.

Thus option 3 is correct.

Explanation:

In Excel, pressing Alt + Enter creates a line break within a cell, allowing for multi-line content within a single cell. This feature is particularly useful when users need to organize text or data in a more structured or readable format.

Pressing Enter alone in Excel moves the cell selection down to the next cell, while Shift + Enter moves the selection up to the previous cell. Ctrl + Enter, on the other hand, fills the selected cells with the same data simultaneously. However, none of these combinations specifically insert a line break within a cell.

Alt + Enter is a simple yet powerful shortcut that helps users manage content within cells more efficiently, especially when dealing with lengthy text entries or when formatting data to be displayed neatly across multiple lines within a single cell. This function aids in improving the readability and organization of information within Excel spreadsheets, contributing to better data presentation and analysis.

Therefore option 3 is correct.