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Wrap Text Shortcut in Excel

ExcelExcelLong text in cellsChecked 2 Nov 2026

Wrap text

AltHW

Press one after another

Line break in a cell

AltEnter

Excel for Mac line break

ControlOptionReturn

The wrap text shortcut in Excel is Alt, then H, then W, pressed one after another. It makes long text in the selected cells flow onto several lines inside the cell, and the row grows taller to show it all. Press the same keys again to turn wrapping off.

If you want to choose exactly where the line breaks, use Alt + Enter while typing in a cell. It starts a new line in the same cell, like pressing Enter in Word.

Quick facts

  • Wrap text on or off

    Alt, then H, then W

  • New line in a cell

    Alt + Enter

  • Format Cells way

    Ctrl + 1, Alignment, Wrap text

  • Fix row height

    Alt, then H, then O, then A

  • Mac line break

    Control + Option + Return

  • Mac wrap

    Home tab, Wrap Text

Wrap text shortcut in Excel, step by step

  1. Select the cells with long text, or a whole column with Ctrl + Space.
  2. Tap Alt once so the ribbon shows its key letters.
  3. Press H for the Home tab, then W for Wrap Text.
  4. The text wraps and the rows grow taller.

Wrapping uses the current column width. Set a sensible width first, then wrap; otherwise very narrow columns create very tall rows.

Wrap text or a manual line break

Two ways to put text on several lines
MethodKeysLine breaks
Wrap TextAlt, then H, then WExcel decides, based on width
Manual breakAlt + Enter while typingExactly where you press it

Addresses look best with manual breaks: name, street, city on separate lines. Long comments and descriptions suit Wrap Text.

Rows that do not grow after wrapping

Rows usually resize by themselves. If a row was given a fixed height earlier, it stays fixed and hides the extra lines. Select the rows and press Alt, H, O, A to AutoFit row height. Merged cells never auto resize; set those rows by hand. The AutoFit guide covers both.

Combine wrap text with vertical alignment set to Top, so short and long cells in the same row all start at the top line.

Remove line breaks from cells

Text pasted from other programs often carries unwanted line breaks. Select the cells and press Ctrl + H. In Find what, press Ctrl + J, which enters an invisible line break character; put a space in Replace with and click Replace All. Every break becomes a space. The replace shortcut key guide explains the box.

When wrap text does not work

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
Text still on one lineColumn is very wide; narrow it
Row height did not changeAutoFit rows with Alt, then H, then O, then A
Alt + Enter moves to the next cellYou are not editing; press F2 first
Wrap button greyed outSheet is protected or you are editing a cell
An HR executive keeps employee remarks in one column. After setting the column width to 40 and pressing Alt, H, W, every remark is readable on screen and in print, without spilling into the next column.

Wrap text on Mac and related keys

On a Mac, Excel skips the key letters, so click Wrap Text on the Home tab. For a manual break, press Control + Option + Return while editing. Alignment options are in Excel alignment, merging in merge cells, and the long list of spreadsheet keys in our Excel guide.

This site is not affiliated with Microsoft or Apple; this is an independent explanation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the wrap text shortcut in Excel?
Alt, H, W, pressed one after another.
How do I start a new line in an Excel cell?

Press Alt + Enter while typing.

Why is my wrapped text hidden?

The row height is fixed. AutoFit it.

How do I remove line breaks in Excel?

Use Find and Replace with Ctrl + J in Find what.

What is the wrap text shortcut on a Mac?

Use the Wrap Text button; line breaks are Control + Option + Return.

Can I wrap a whole column?

Yes. Select the column, then press Alt, H, W.