What the Enter key does
Enter confirms: it submits forms, activates the default button in dialogs, starts a new line or paragraph in text, and runs a command in terminals. Shift+Enter inserts a line break without a new paragraph in Word, chat apps and email.
On a Mac
Labelled return. Command+Return sends messages in Mail and many chat apps; Option+Return inserts a line break in Numbers.
On a laptop
Present on every laptop. UK/ISO layouts use the tall Enter and move the backslash key next to the left Shift.
Shortcuts that use the Enter key
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Enter | Confirm, submit, new line |
| Shift+Enter | Line break without a new paragraph |
| Ctrl+Enter | Send in Outlook and Gmail, run in many editors |
| Alt+Enter | Properties in Explorer, full screen in some apps |
| Command+Return (Mac) | Send message |
If the Enter key is missing or not working
If Enter sends a message when you wanted a new line, use Shift+Enter. If it does nothing, test it below; a spilled drink often kills this key first because of its size.
Test it here: click the tester, press the key, and it should light up green. A red key is stuck; a key that never lights up is dead or intercepted by the system. The full keyboard tester has the press log and more detail.
Click the tester, then press any key. Browser shortcuts are blocked while it has focus.
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- key
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- code
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- keyCode
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none
Max at once: 0 (rollover)
None detected. A key held for more than 2 seconds is flagged.
Frequently asked questions
Is Return the same as Enter? +
On a Mac, yes for almost every purpose. Historically Return started a new line and Enter confirmed a command; the numeric keypad Enter still reports as a different key code.
How do I make a new line without pressing Enter? +
Shift+Enter inserts a line break in Word, Google Docs, WhatsApp, Slack and most email apps.
What is the Enter key symbol? +
↵ (U+21B5) or ⏎ (U+23CE), a return arrow.