You hit the nail on the head with the "Normal" format. It also explains Ted's results. However, it does act a little wierd. Here's what I have found:
TEST RESULTS:
Add New Content: Default (no format chosen):
Enter:
one[return]
two [return][return]
three[return][return][return]
four[return][return][return][return]
end
Resulting source code:
Code: Select all
one<br />two<br /><br />three<br /><br /><br />four<br /><br /><br /><br />end.
Select all then choose "Normal" in the format menu.
Resulting source code:
Code: Select all
<p>one</p>
<p>two</p>
<p><br />three</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>four</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br />end.</p>
At the end of the last line (end.) add:
one[return]
two [return][return]
three[return][return][return]
Resulting source code:
Code: Select all
<p>one</p>
<p>two</p>
<p><br />three</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>four</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br />end. one<br />two<br /></p>
<p>three<br /></p>
<p><br />end.</p>
Select all text and delete. Format box defaults back to no formatting. Choose "Normal" before entering any text. Enter:
one[return]
two [return][return]
three[return][return][return]
end
Resulting source code:
Code: Select all
<p>one<br />two<br /></p>
<p>three<br /></p>
<p><br />end</p>
CONCLUSIONS:
When no formatting has been chosen hitting the "Return" key will always create a line break
.
Converting unformatted text results in all single returns between lines (as in: one[return]two)to be converetd to paragraphs (onetwo).
Beginning with "Normal" formatting before entering text, or entering text after converting to "Normal" formatting offers the same result: single carriage returns create line breaks
and double carriage retuns create paragraphs ....
In all circumstances, soft returns ... tag (an opening tag will add a space above your first line in IE on Mac, not sure about windows) but you DO want ... tags on the rest of your page you can enter this:
Headline[return]
Subheading[return]
Paragraph one goes here.[return]
Paragraph two goes here.
Then select from Paragraph on down and convert to "Normal" formatting to achieve this:
Code: Select all
Headline<br /> Subheading
<p>Paragraph one goes here. </p>
<p>Paragraph two goes here.</p>