How to Write Paragraphs in Excel & Google Sheets

This tutorial demonstrates how to write paragraphs in Excel and Google Sheets.

Write Paragraphs With Line Breaks

When you type text into a cell that runs over into the adjacent cell, and the right adjacent cell is empty, then the text usually flows into the empty space. To confine the text to a single cell, size the cell accordingly and wrap the text.

To continue typing in the same cell with a second paragraph, insert a line break into the cell.

1. Type the first paragraph, then press ALT + ENTER to insert a line break. If you wish to insert a blank line between the paragraphs, press ALT+ENTER again.

2. Type in the second paragraph in your cell.

3. Press ALT + ENTER twice once again and then type the third paragraph into your cell.

4. When you press ENTER, the height of the cell changes automatically.

Note: Instead of typing directly into the cell, you can expand the formula bar by dragging the bottom of the formula bar down, and then type directly into the formula bar.

Paragraphs in a Text Box

An alternative way to create paragraphs in Excel is to insert a text box and type into the box.

1. In the Ribbon, go to Insert > Text > Text Box.

2. Click and drag to draw a text box in your worksheet.

3. You can now type in the text box using just the ENTER key to separate individual paragraphs.

4. If there’s too much text to fit, size the text box using the handles around the box.

5. You can also use a right-side handle to increase the width of the text box.

Write Paragraphs in Google Sheets

Google Sheets also uses ALT + ENTER to put multiple lines into a cell and create paragraphs.

As with Excel, if you wish to view the entire paragraph in the formula bar, increase the size of the formula bar by dragging the bottom cell border down.

Text Box

To insert a text box into Google Sheets, create a Drawing.

1. In the Menu, go to Insert > Drawing.

2. Select the Text box icon and drag to create a text box.

3. Type the paragraphs.

4. Click Save and Close to return to the worksheet.