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CHAR(number) returns the character for a character-set code, most often used to insert characters you can't type directly into a formula: =CHAR(10) is a line break, =CHAR(9) is a tab, and =CHAR(34) is a literal double-quote mark. CODE(text) goes the other direction, returning the numeric code for a character's first letter. Standard printable ASCII runs from code 32 to 126; codes above that (up to 255, or into full Unicode with UNICHAR/UNICODE) cover accented letters and symbols like £ or ©.
The formula
=CHAR(10) line break inside a text string (cell needs Wrap Text on to show it)
=CHAR(9) a tab character
=CHAR(34) a literal double-quote mark, e.g. ="He said "&CHAR(34)&"hi"&CHAR(34)
=CODE(A1) the numeric code of the first character in A1 — the reverse of CHARA worked example
First name in A2 ("Priya"), city in B2 ("Austin"), and you want them on two lines inside one cell.
=A2&CHAR(10)&B2
"Priya" and "Austin" on separate lines inside the same cell — but only once Wrap Text is turned on (Home > Wrap Text); without it, the two values sit squeezed onto one visual line.
Which one do I need?
| If you want to… | Use |
|---|---|
| Inserting a line break inside a formula-built string | =CHAR(10) — and turn on Wrap Text so the cell actually shows two lines |
| Putting literal quote marks inside a text formula | =CHAR(34), since typing a " directly would end the text argument early |
| Cleaning data with invisible or non-printable characters (a stray CHAR(160) non-breaking space, tabs, etc.) | =SUBSTITUTE(A1,CHAR(160)," ") for a specific code, or CLEAN(A1) for the general non-printable set |
| You have a character and need its numeric code, not the reverse | =CODE(A1) for the first character, or =UNICODE(A1) for characters beyond code 255 |
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between CHAR and CODE?
CHAR takes a number and returns the character: =CHAR(65) returns "A". CODE takes a character and returns its number: =CODE("A") returns 65. They are exact inverses.
Why doesn't CHAR(10) show as a line break in my cell?
The character is there, but the cell needs Wrap Text turned on (Home > Wrap Text) to display it as two lines instead of squeezing both onto one visual line.
Do CHAR and CODE work the same in Google Sheets?
Yes — both functions and every code in this guide (10 for a line break, 9 for a tab, 34 for a quote mark) behave identically in Google Sheets.
Is there a full reference of character codes?
Codes 32–126 are standard ASCII — letters, digits and punctuation. Codes 127–255 are the extended Windows-1252/ANSI set (accents, £, ©). Above 255, use UNICHAR()/UNICODE() instead of CHAR()/CODE() for full Unicode support.
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