CHAR Function in Excel: Character From a Code (Line Breaks, Symbols)

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TextLevel: IntermediateAvailable in: Excel 2007+

In this article

1. Syntax
2. Examples
3. Example 1
4. Example 2
5. CHAR in practice
6. Where you will use it
7. Worked example
8. Mistakes people make
9. Related functions
10. Continue learning

CHAR returns the character for a code number. CHAR(10) is a line break — the key to multi-line cells built by formula. CODE does the reverse.

Syntax

=CHAR(number)

Argument	What it means
number	1–255.

Examples

Example 1

=A2 & CHAR(10) & B2

Name and address on two lines (turn on Wrap Text).

Example 2

=CODE(LEFT(A2))

Find what the “invisible” first character really is.

CHAR in practice

Where you will use it

• Insert a line break inside a cell with CHAR(10)
• Add bullets or symbols to labels
• Build quotes inside formulas

Worked example

Code	Formula	Result
65	=CHAR(A2)	A
97	=CHAR(A3)	a
36	=CHAR(A4)	$

Results calculated in Excel.

Mistakes people make

Mistake	What to do instead
CHAR(10) shows nothing	Turn on Wrap Text for the cell
Codes above 255	Use UNICHAR for emoji and Indian scripts

Related functions

CLEAN · UNICHAR · CODE

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📎 Practice files for this article

• 📗
  Practice workbook: Text & cleaning24 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.
  ⬇ XLSX · 35 KB

Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.