Inserting a line break in LinkedIn can be useful for organizing and formatting your posts and messages. Here are a few different ways to insert line breaks when composing content in LinkedIn.
Using HTML Line Break Tags
The simplest way to insert a line break in LinkedIn is to use the HTML line break tag
. This will force any following text onto a new line. For example:
This is the first line of text.
And this text will display on the next line.
To use the line break tag, simply type
at the point where you want the line break to occur. When you publish your LinkedIn post or message, the
tag will render as a new line.
Hitting Enter or Return
You can also insert a line break in LinkedIn by hitting the Enter or Return key on your keyboard. This will move your cursor to the next line when typing in the LinkedIn text editor. For example:
This is the first line of text.
And this text will display on the next line.
The effect is the same as using the
HTML tag. Hitting Enter or Return is handy for quickly creating line breaks as you type. However, the downside is it can introduce extra unwanted spaces.
Using Shift + Enter
A better option than hitting Enter or Return is to use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Enter. This inserts a line break without adding an extra space. For example:
This is the first line of text.
And this text will display on the next line.
When you use Shift + Enter, a line break is forced while keeping the same spacing between lines. This helps maintain a clean, consistent look in your LinkedIn posts and messages.
Adding Line Breaks in LinkedIn Messaging
The techniques for inserting line breaks are the same whether you are composing a LinkedIn post, message, or other content. However, there is one key difference with LinkedIn messaging.
When you send a multi-line message to another LinkedIn member, each line will be sent as a separate message. This can clutter up your conversations. To send a multi-line message as a single message, you need to use the
HTML tag.
For example, if you type:
Hi there,
I hope you’re doing well!
This will send as two separate messages. But if you use the tag like:
Hi there,
I hope you’re doing well!
The message will be sent continuously in one single message. This keeps your LinkedIn messaging looking clean and organized.
Line Breaks in LinkedIn Post Editor
When writing long-form posts and articles in the LinkedIn post editor, you have a few additional options for controlling line breaks and spacing.
First, you can use the formatting toolbar to insert line spacing. Highlight the text and select the spacing of your choice (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, etc). This will add vertical space between the lines.
Second, you can use the text alignment options to left-align, center, or right-align your text. This can help organize different sections and make your posts more scannable.
Finally, you can use formatting like horizontal rules, headings, lists, and blockquotes to visually separate sections. Combined with line breaks, this creates structured, easy-to-read posts.
Example LinkedIn Post with Line Breaks
Here is an example of a LinkedIn post using line breaks and formatting to make it scannable and visually organized:
Post Title
Introduction paragraph…
Here is the first point I want to make:
I’m using a line break to separate my key points.
Secondly, this is another key point:
Notice I used the HTML line break to keep things compact.
Key Takeaways:
- Takeaway #1
- Takeaway #2
- Takeaway #3
Conclusion paragraph…
I hope these tips for using line breaks are helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Troubleshooting Line Breaks in LinkedIn
Sometimes line breaks don’t appear as expected in LinkedIn. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure you are using the
, Enter/Return, or Shift + Enter options correctly. The
tag in particular must be formatted properly with closing /> or it may not render. - Check that you haven’t accidentally removed a line break by backspacing or highlighting text. This can erase the invisible line break characters.
- Copy/paste your text into a plain text editor to strip all formatting, then copy back into LinkedIn. This resets any glitches.
- Use LinkedIn’s preview feature to check line breaks before publishing. The preview shows you exactly how your post will look.
- If issues persist, try reloading the LinkedIn page or switching browsers. There may be a temporary glitch.
With a bit of trial and error, you’ll get the hang of consistently adding line breaks in LinkedIn. Just be patient and use the troubleshooting tips if needed.
FAQs about Line Breaks in LinkedIn
Can you add a line break in a LinkedIn post?
Yes, you can add line breaks when writing long-form posts in LinkedIn using the
tag, Enter/Return, or Shift+Enter.
Do line breaks work in LinkedIn messages?
Line breaks created with Enter/Return or Shift+Enter will work in LinkedIn messages. However, each line will send as a separate message unless you use the
tag to combine them.
Why are my line breaks not showing up in LinkedIn?
If line breaks aren’t showing, there may be an issue with the formatting, an invisible character removing the break, or a display glitch. Refer to the troubleshooting tips above.
Can I add space between lines in a LinkedIn post?
Yes, you can use the LinkedIn post editor formatting options to add vertical line spacing of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, etc between lines.
What’s the best way to format a LinkedIn post?
Use line breaks, spacing, text alignment, horizontal rules, headings, lists, and blockquotes to organize your LinkedIn posts. This improves scannability.
Line Break Usage in Common LinkedIn Post Types
Here are some examples of using line breaks effectively in different types of LinkedIn posts:
Company or Product Update
Introducing our newest product:
The Instant Pot Pro Plus!
Key features:
– 10 quart capacity
– New easy-seal lid
– Precision cooking technology
Learn more and pre-order today:
www.instantpot.com/pro-plus
Industry Article Summary
New research shows:
Employees are more engaged when remote work options are offered.
Key findings:
– Remote workers take less sick time
– Productivity remains steady or improves
– Worker satisfaction increases
Read the full report:
[link to report]
Latest News
Breaking news in the tech industry:
Microsoft announces acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Deal highlights:
– Purchase price: $68.7 billion
– Microsoft’s largest acquisition ever
– Adds major gaming publishers like Call of Duty, Warcraft, and Candy Crush
Read the full story:
[link to article]
Opinion or Advice Post
My advice for succeeding in a hybrid work environment:
Set communication expectations and schedules.
Tips include:
– Document preferences for meetings: virtual or in-person
– Outline response time goals for email, chat, etc
– Share availability and focus time blocks
Let me know what other hybrid work tips you have!
I may turn this into a full article.
Formatting Considerations for Line Breaks
When using line breaks and other formatting in your LinkedIn posts, keep these tips in mind:
- Use line breaks consistently and intentionally, not just randomly.
- Be thoughtful about spacing and text density on screen.
- Watch for unnecessary white space or gaps from multiple line breaks.
- Combine line breaks with other formatting for optimal readability.
- Preview your posts and check line break rendering before publishing.
- Balance text formatting with image and multimedia elements.
- On mobile devices, use shorter paragraphs between line breaks.
With the right approach, line breaks can be an impactful way to structure your LinkedIn content in an easy-to-consume way for your audience.
Line Break Etiquette and Best Practices
As with any formatting tool, there are etiquette best practices to keep in mind when inserting line breaks in LinkedIn:
- Use single line breaks between paragraphs rather than multiple unnecessary breaks.
- Avoid breaking up continuous sentences with line breaks unnecessarily.
- Don’t use excessive line breaks that distort the user interface or page layout.
- In messaging, only use line breaks when needed for clarity or organization.
- Preview your content to make sure line spacing looks good on both desktop and mobile.
- Line breaks should complement your text, not act as replacements for proper formatting.
- Review LinkedIn’s posting guidelines and best practices for the community.
By keeping these etiquette tips in mind, you can use line breaks properly to craft stellar LinkedIn content.
Pro Tips for Mastering Line Breaks
Take your LinkedIn line break skills to the next level with these advanced tips:
- Use non-breaking spaces ( ) to control orphan words and awkward wraps.
- Install a Markdown editor to preview how your content will look when published.
- Study other popular LinkedIn accounts and take note of their formatting approaches.
- Use background colors, indents, and text wrapping to further control formatting.
- On desktop, compose in a plain text editor then paste into LinkedIn to strip formatting glitches.
- Always proofread and use the LinkedIn post preview feature before publishing.
- Take advantage of LinkedIn Learning courses on content best practices.
With a refined formatting approach, you can create truly engaging, professional-level LinkedIn content that attracts more attention and connections.
Conclusion
Knowing how to insert line breaks in LinkedIn is an important formatting technique for any active user. With the
HTML tag, keyboard shortcuts, spacing options, and troubleshooting tips covered here, you can start creating perfectly structured posts and messages.
Line breaks seem simple, but mastering them allows you to communicate complex ideas, organize information, and format eye-catching content on LinkedIn. Use these formatting skills to take your profile and thought leadership to the next level.