How to type a new line character in SQL Server Management Studio

Question

In the "datagrid" view of an open table of data, how can I type a new line character into an nvarchar field directly in SSMS?

Is there an alt code?

Answer 1

You can't. (Edit: other good answers have been posted with some workable methods.)

My preferred method to do this is via a direct SQL update.

Two general techniques:

--Literal returns inside strings UPDATE mytable SET textvalue =  'This text can include line breaks' WHERE rowid = 1234  --Concatenating CHAR codes UPDATE mytable SET textvalue = 'This text' + CHAR(10) + CHAR(13)     + 'can include' + CHAR(10) + CHAR(13)    + 'line breaks' WHERE rowid = 1234 

The former is a little easier to work with, but could give inconsistent results if you paste in text from outside sources with unknown line-ending codes.

The latter is somewhat harder to work with but is more likely to give you consistent and reliable results.