Similar to a carriage return but different: Activated in page layout software and in most word processors by holding the shift key and then hitting return. This will create a break in the copy forcing the keystrokes that follow to go to the next line but it will NOT define a new paragraph. This is most often used when a line break is desired but when proper formatting requires both lines to be in one paragraph.
output: A feature of some word processors and page layout programs that forces a line break but doesn't start a new paragraph. This is what the computer does when it wordwraps.
a new line started when you continue typing and it can't fit on your screen
a new line that exists as the result of word-wrapping
a return that the application inserts automatically when you reach
a shift return -- hold down the shift key and type the Return/Enter key
A line break inserted automatically by a word processor or DTP software when the cursor reaches the right margin. The location of soft returns changes automatically if the margins are changed or if text is inserted or deleted. See also Hard Return.
A key combination (shift return) that will force text to the next line without creating a new paragraph. This creates a BR tag in the HTML code.
Whenever too little room remains on the current line of text for the next word, the word processor inserts a soft return.
To create a new line ending, using a specific command in a page layout program, that will not remain if the text happens to reflow.
A soft return is entered automatically by a word processor's word wrap feature when the text reaches the end of the line. It is contrasted with a hard return which is used primarily to begin a new paragraph. A little known feature of Microsoft Word and Open Office.org (but not Word Perfect) is that one can manually enter a soft return by pushing shift and enter instead of simply enter.