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If you mean “space down” as adding another line in a Microsoft Teams message, press Shift+Enter on Windows or the web, or Shift+Return on a Mac. This starts a new line without sending the message. Teams does not provide Word-style line-spacing controls in the chat compose box.
How to add a line break in Microsoft Teams
- Click inside the Teams compose box.
- Type the first line of your message.
- Press Shift+Enter on Windows or the web app.
- Continue typing on the next line.
- Send the message when it is ready.
On macOS, Microsoft documents the Start new line command as Shift+Return. The result is the same: the cursor moves to a new line while the message remains unsent. See Microsoft’s Teams keyboard shortcuts.
Example:
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Completed the testing phase
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Do not rely on a plain Enter press as the line-break command. Microsoft documents Shift+Enter—or Shift+Return on Mac—as Start new line. Depending on the compose-box state and Teams version, pressing Enter may send the message.
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Teams does not have adjustable chat line spacing
“Space down” can also mean increasing the gap between lines, as you might in Microsoft Word. That is not an available setting in the Teams chat composer. Teams lets you insert separate lines, apply paragraph styles, and use text formatting, but it does not expose Word’s Line and Paragraph Spacing controls for ordinary chat messages.
If you need more visual separation, use one of these practical alternatives:
- Insert a blank line with Shift+Enter twice.
- Split a long update into short paragraphs.
- Use headings or bold text to separate sections.
- Place commands or multiple lines of technical text in a code block.
- Use a Word document, OneNote page, or another formatted file when exact spacing matters.
Use the expanded compose box for longer messages
For a message containing several paragraphs, open the full formatting interface instead of working in the small one-line composer.
- Select Show Formatting options in the compose box.
- Write or paste the message into the expanded editor.
- Use Shift+Enter on Windows/web or Shift+Return on Mac whenever you need a new line.
- Send the completed message.
The documented shortcuts are:
| Platform | Expand compose box | Send expanded message | Start new line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows desktop or web | Ctrl+Shift+X | Ctrl+Enter | Shift+Enter |
| Mac desktop or web | Shift+Command+X | Command+Return | Shift+Return |
The expanded composer is particularly useful when Enter has sent messages unexpectedly. In this view, use the documented send shortcut when you are ready rather than treating Enter as a spacing control. See Microsoft’s shortcut reference.
Format text instead of trying to change line spacing
Choose Show Formatting options to access Teams’ formatting controls. Depending on the version and surface, you can apply bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, links, quotes, inline code, and code blocks.
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For paragraph-level formatting, Microsoft’s shortcut list calls the command Paragraph style:
- Windows/web: Ctrl+Alt+P
- Mac: Command+Option+P
This is a paragraph-formatting command, not a line-spacing slider. It can help organize a message, but it does not turn Teams chat into a Word document with custom spacing values.
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For commands, logs, configuration files, or code, a code block is usually clearer than manually inserting blank lines.
Method 1: Use the formatting menu
- Open the compose box.
- Select Show Formatting options.
- Select Code Block.
- Paste or type the content.
- Use the language dropdown and choose a language such as Python or Plain Text.
Teams remembers the last language you selected, so check the dropdown when switching between code and ordinary text. See Microsoft’s instructions for code blocks.
Method 2: Use the slash command
Type /code in the compose box and select the code-block option. This is often faster than opening the formatting toolbar.
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Method 3: Use Markdown-style backticks
For inline code, surround the text with one backtick on each side:
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The backtick is normally the key next to 1 on a US keyboard. Type the same key again after the code to end the inline formatting.
For multiple lines, type three backticks before the code and three after it. For example, type three backticks, then these lines, then three backticks:
server started on port 3000
waiting for requests
Teams displays a live preview of the code-block formatting. If it formats the text incorrectly, press Ctrl+Z to undo it. Microsoft’s Markdown formatting instructions describe inline code and code blocks.
Microsoft’s documentation gives conflicting keyboard shortcuts for inserting a code block. The general shortcut reference lists different combinations for desktop and web, while the dedicated code-block page lists another combination. For that reason, /code, three backticks, or Show Formatting options > Code Block are the dependable documented alternatives.
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Useful Teams formatting shortcuts
| Action | Windows desktop | Windows web | Mac desktop | Mac web |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bold | Ctrl+B | Ctrl+B | Command+B | Command+B |
| Italic | Ctrl+I | Ctrl+I | Command+I | Command+I |
| Underline | Ctrl+U | Ctrl+U | Command+U | Command+U |
| Insert link | Ctrl+K | Ctrl+K | Command+K | Command+K |
| Inline code | Ctrl+Shift+C | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+C | Shift+Command+C | Option+Shift+Command+C |
| Start new line | Shift+Enter | Shift+Enter | Shift+Return | Shift+Return |
Microsoft bases these references on a US keyboard layout. On another keyboard layout, the physical key or symbol may differ. Teams also allows shortcut customization in the desktop app. Open Settings and more > Keyboard shortcuts, or press Ctrl+Period to open the shortcut window. Select a command, choose Edit shortcut, and then select Save.
What happens on Teams mobile?
Teams mobile can display Markdown-formatted messages, but Microsoft’s current documentation says mobile does not generate Markdown-formatted messages. Code blocks can only be created on desktop. A code block created on desktop can still be viewed on a phone, where Teams renders it with line numbers, syntax highlighting, and automatic text wrapping. See Microsoft’s Markdown guidance and code block guidance.
For a quick mobile message, use separate short messages or paste prepared text. For structured formatting, create the message in Teams on the desktop or web app first.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
What does “space down” mean in Microsoft Teams?
Usually it means moving the cursor to a new line. Press Shift+Enter on Windows or the web app, or Shift+Return on a Mac. Teams does not offer a Word-style line-spacing setting in the chat composer.
How do I make a new line in Teams without sending the message?
Press Shift+Enter on Windows/web or Shift+Return on Mac. This is Microsoft’s documented Start new line command.
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Why does Enter send my Teams message?
Enter is not the documented Teams shortcut for starting a new line. Use Shift+Enter on Windows/web or Shift+Return on Mac. You can also select Show Formatting options and write in the expanded compose box.
Can I use double spacing in Teams chat?
No. Teams chat does not provide adjustable line-spacing controls such as single, 1.5, or double spacing. Add blank lines with the new-line shortcut or move the content to Word or OneNote when exact spacing is required.
How do I put several lines of code in Teams?
Select Show Formatting options > Code Block, type /code in the compose box, or surround the content with three backticks. Code blocks must be created on desktop, although they can be viewed on mobile.
Can I create Markdown messages in Teams on my phone?
Microsoft currently documents Markdown authoring for desktop and web, not mobile. Mobile can view Markdown-formatted messages.
The Bottom Line
To “space down” in Teams, press Shift+Enter on Windows or the web, or Shift+Return on Mac. That inserts a new line; it does not adjust the distance between lines. For cleaner long messages, open Show Formatting options, use paragraph styles and headings, or place technical multi-line content in a code block.
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