Line break

Updated: 07/31/2022 by Computer Hope
Line break

A line break is a command or sequence of control characters that returns the cursor to the next line and does not create a new paragraph. Essentially, line breaks denote the end of one line and the start of a new one. With format marks enabled, line breaks are represented by the symbol of an arrow pointing down and to the left (shown right).

Tip

In HTML, you may create a line break using the <br> tag. In other programs, like Microsoft Word and OpenOffice Writer, the keyboard shortcut key to create a line break is Shift+Enter.

How to remove a line break

To remove a line break, follow these steps.

  1. Move the mouse cursor immediately to the left of the first word in the line created with the line break.
  2. Click the left mouse to place the text cursor in front of that first word.

Text cursor in front of first word in line of text.

  1. Press the Backspace key to remove the line break. The line of text created with the line break is moved to the end of the line above it.

or

  1. Move the mouse cursor immediately to the right of the period at the end of the line of text above the line break.
  2. Click the left mouse to place the text cursor after the period.

Text cursor after a period at the end of a line of text.

  1. Press the Delete key to remove the line break. The line of text created with the line break is moved to the current line right after the text cursor.

Break, EOL, Newline, Word processor terms