How to Remove Line Breaks in Excel
Remove line breaks stored inside Excel cells with Find and Replace, a repeatable formula, CLEAN, or Power Query. Choose the method according to whether the original values must remain intact.
Written and checked by TheToolNet Editorial Team · Last reviewed: October 10, 2026 · Editorial method
This replaces each line-feed character with one space and leaves the source cell unchanged.
Method 1: Find and Replace with Ctrl+J
- Save a copy and select only the cells you intend to change.
- Press Ctrl+H to open Find and Replace.
- Click Find what, then press Ctrl+J. The box can look empty because the inserted line feed is invisible.
- In Replace with, enter a space, comma, or nothing.
- Use Replace once or twice to verify the result, then select Replace All for the selected range.
This edits cell values in place. A formula is safer when you need to compare the cleaned result with the original.
Method 2: SUBSTITUTE formula
=SUBSTITUTE(A2,CHAR(10)," ")Enter the formula in a new column and fill it down. Replace the final space with ", " for comma-separated content or "" to join without a separator.
For imported data that may contain carriage returns as well as line feeds, use a nested formula:
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,CHAR(13),""),CHAR(10)," ")After checking the results, copy the formula column and use Paste Special → Values if fixed text is required.
Method 3: CLEAN and TRIM
=TRIM(CLEAN(A2))Microsoft documents that CLEAN removes the first 32 nonprinting ASCII characters, which includes character 10. TRIM then removes leading and trailing ordinary spaces and reduces repeated ordinary spaces between words.
CLEAN is broader than line-break removal: it can remove tabs and other control characters too. It also does not remove every Unicode nonprinting character, so use it only when that wider cleanup matches the task.
Method 4: Power Query for repeatable imports
For recurring files, load the data into Power Query, select the affected column, and use Replace Values with a line-feed value or a suitable transform. Keep the query steps documented so future refreshes apply the same cleanup. Exact controls vary by Excel version and connector, so test the transformation on representative rows.
Which method should you choose?
| Method | Changes original cells? | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+J Replace | Yes | Quick one-time cleanup in a selected range |
| SUBSTITUTE | No | Auditable, precise replacement with a chosen separator |
| CLEAN + TRIM | No | Imported text containing several ASCII control characters |
| Power Query | Source remains separate | Repeatable import and transformation workflows |
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Excel cell still look like multiple lines?
Wrap Text may be enabled, or the column may be narrow enough to wrap visually. A visual wrap is not a stored line-break character.
Why did CLEAN remove more than line breaks?
CLEAN targets several nonprinting ASCII characters, not only character 10. Use SUBSTITUTE when only a known character should change.
Can I clean copied values outside Excel?
Yes. The online line break remover is useful for a plain-text copy, but it does not preserve formulas, cell structure, or workbook formatting.