How can I use \linebreak inside a node, in tikz?

Question

This is my code, which doesn't work:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\begin{document}
\tikz \node {start\linebreak{}stop};
\end{document}

The \linebreak command doesn't work. In order to make it working I have to say \node[text width=5em]... Is there any other method to make it working, without explicit specification of the node text width?

Answer 1

There is a much simpler and more elegant solution! From the TikZ manual § 17.4.3 Text Parameters: Alignment and Width for Multi-Line Text:

\node[draw, align=left] {This is a\\demonstration.};

Key here is that you must use the align option, with the parameter that you want.

Answer 2

You could use a single-column tabular to achieve line breaks:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\begin{document}
\tikz \node {\begin{tabular}{l}
    start \\
    another \\ 
    stop
\end{tabular}};
\end{document}

Also macros like \shortstack{start\\another\\stop} are useful. I also always add a \strut in every line to ensure a constant line skip.

Answer 3

You can also put a \parbox around your node text:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{calc,tikz}
\begin{document}
\tikz \node {\parbox{\widthof{another}}{
    start \\
    another \\ 
    stop}};
\end{document}

Answer 4

You can get several lines in a node by using rectangle split (of the TikZ library shapes) which draws a split rectangle. Set rectangle split parts to the number of lines you want and use \nodepart to switch to the next line as in the following example:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}

\usetikzlibrary{shapes}

\begin{document}

\begin{tikzpicture}
\draw ellipse (2cm and 1cm) node [rectangle split,rectangle split parts=2]{%
  First line
  \nodepart{second}
  second line%
  };
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

Answer 5

\def\mynode#{\vtop \bgroup \hsize 0pt \parindent 0pt 
        \rightskip = 0pt minus \maxdimen \let\next=}
\tikz \node {\mynode{start\linebreak stop}};