Do line breaks in your resume templates affect ATS compatibility?

The short answer is: no, line breaks on their own do not disqualify applicants in ATS systems. Line breaks are very common in resumes, and almost every modern ATS can handle them just fine. If anything, line breaks are necessary in order to make a resume readable and clean. 

The confusion likely comes from how certain resume formats and elements (like tables, columns, or text boxes) can confuse some ATS systems if not implemented properly. When that happens, content may get scrambled or ignored, but it’s not because of simple line breaks.

What matters more than line breaks:

• Proper formatting (avoiding complex layouts like tables or graphics)
• Clear section headings (like “Experience” or “Education”)
• Standard fonts and file types (like .docx or .pdf)

We actually hosted a panel discussion on this topic recently, and you can access it here: What career advisors need to know about ATS/AI. You can also give this information to your users by sharing this article: How to Make Sure Your Resume Is ATS-Friendly. 

Updated on: 23/07/2025