While word processors and text editors use a return character (and/or a line feed character, depending on computer platform), they are ignored in HTML, which uses the <P> element to designate a paragraph break.
In order to gain greater compatibity with SGML, in HTML 2.0 usage the <P> element becomes a container (such as <B>bold</B>) through use of a closing </P> tag. While this is recommended usage, it is optional:
<P>This is a paragraph.</P> [recommended usage]
Note that <P> tags should designate the beginning of a paragraph, rather than an end, as in
<P>This is a paragraph. [acceptable usage]
not
This is a paragraph.<P> [deprecated usage]
Since HTML browsers ignore white space (simplifying it to a single space) or non-HTML line breaks, use <BR> to insert a line break (which retains the current HTML format) or <P></P> for a new paragraph.
Usage
HTML.edit uses the Option and Shift keys to modify entry of paragraph and line break tags, as shown in the following table:
Code Description Type this to insert:
<BR> Line Break Shift-Return
<P> Paragraph Option-Return
<P></P> HTML 2.0 Paragraph Shift-Option-Return
Note that checking the HTML 2.0 Returns checkbox on the Preferences card swaps usage of the </P> tag between Option-Return and Option-Shift-Return. This is also shown in the table on the Preferences card.
If upon pressing the keystroke to create a new HTML paragraph, the cursor precedes a </P> closing tag, HTML.edit senses this and creates a new paragraph, placing the insertion point appropriately in a new paragraph container.
Simply begin your first paragraph by typing Option-Return (which places the cursor within the paragraph container), then at the end of each paragraph, type Option-Return to begin a new paragraph.
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