Hard return
Encyclopedia
A hard return is a paragraph break in a word processor
. It differs from a soft return
in that it starts a new paragraph
. Besides affecting the document statistics, this means that:
In most word processors, word wrap
is handled automatically, meaning that manual soft returns are rarely if ever needed, so pressing Enter
starts a new paragraph.
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
. It differs from a soft return
Soft return
In word processing and text-oriented markup languages the term soft return can mean a line break due to word wrapping. Alternatively it can mean a stored line break that is not a paragraph break. For example, it is common to print postal addresses in a multiple-line format, but the several lines...
in that it starts a new paragraph
Paragraph
A paragraph is a self-contained unit of a discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or idea. A paragraph consists of one or more sentences. The start of a paragraph is indicated by beginning on a new line. Sometimes the first line is indented...
. Besides affecting the document statistics, this means that:
- Often, extra space and a first line indentIndentationAn indentation may refer to:* A notch, or deep recesses; for instance in a coastline, or a carving in rock* The placement of text farther to the right to separate it from surrounding text....
will be inserted. - The next line cannot become an orphanOrphan (typesetting)In typesetting, widows and orphans are words or short lines at the beginning or end of a paragraph, which are left dangling at the top or bottom of a column, separated from the rest of the paragraph...
, nor the previous line a widow, if the word processor is set to control for this.
In most word processors, word wrap
Word wrap
In text display, line wrap is the feature of continuing on a new line when a line is full, such that each line fits in the viewable window, allowing text to be read from top to bottom without any horizontal scrolling....
is handled automatically, meaning that manual soft returns are rarely if ever needed, so pressing Enter
Enter key
In computer keyboards, the enter key in most cases causes a command line, window form, or dialog box to operate its default function...
starts a new paragraph.