We used real-time recordings of cell volume changes to test for the role of the Cl(-)-formate exchanger in mediating NaCl entry across the apical membrane of rabbit proximal tubule cells. In the absence of extracellular Cl-, 0.5 and 5 mM formate in the tubule lumen induced an increase in cell volume of 1 and 9%, respectively. Formate-induced cell swelling was reduced by alkalinizing the tubule lumen or by addition of luminal amiloride (2 mM), indicating that the increase in cell volume results from the intracellular accumulation of Na-formate via nonionic diffusion of formic acid in parallel with Na(+)-H+ exchange. The cell volume increase induced by 0.5 mM formate was potentiated (from 1 to 4%) by Cl-, as expected for a formate-mediated stimulation of NaCl uptake via parallel Cl(-)-formate exchange and Na(+)-H+ exchange across the apical membrane. By contrast, the cell volume increase induced by 5 mM formate was attenuated (from 9 to 4%) by Cl-. The attenuating effect of Cl- on formate-induced cell swelling required the operation of the apical membrane Cl(-)-formate exchanger. The effect of 1:1 Cl(-)-formate exchange to attenuate formate-induced cell swelling can be explained if the cell possesses a volume-activated anion exit pathway, most likely at the basolateral cell membrane, that is capable of mediating the efflux of Cl- but not formate from the cell.