What CHAR does
CHAR turns a numeric character code into a text character. It is often used to insert line breaks, punctuation, tabs, or other control characters into formulas.
Practical examples
Return a character from its code
=CHAR(65)
This returns A, because 65 is the code for that character in Excel's character set.
Insert a line break inside a formula
="Hello"&CHAR(10)&"World"
Use CHAR(10) when you need a line break inside a single cell. Turn on Wrap Text so the break is visible.
Common mistakes and notes
Wrap Text is needed for visible line breaks
If you use CHAR(10) and the result still appears on one line, the cell usually needs Wrap Text enabled.
Character codes can vary by environment
Microsoft notes that CHAR translates code page numbers into characters, so imported files from other systems can behave differently than expected.
Excel for the web supports only part of the range
Microsoft documents that Excel for the web supports CHAR(9), CHAR(10), CHAR(13), and CHAR(32) and above.