Format Text as Superscript or Subscript: How to Add Subscript or Superscript in Word, Excel on Windows, Mac, and More

While writing, there are some sentences where the writer wishes to add symbols, trademarks, copyright, and figures in the form of subscripts and superscripts. Example – H₂O (subscript) and Microsoft (superscript). But, the way to do this is not much clear. So, to solve this problem, we’ve prepared this article covering the formatted text as subscript and superscript in Windows, macOS, and the Web. You can also do this in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Google Sides, Chromebook, and Word. Shortcuts from the Keyboard will also be mentioned in the article, so keep reading it till the end to know about everything related to the formatting text as subscript and superscript.

Keyboard Shortcuts: Superscript And Subscript

To make the text appear as Superscript (slightly above) or Subscript (slightly below), you can use keyboard shortcuts.

In Windows

The character you want to format should be selected first, then:

• Press Ctrl, Shift, and the plus sign (+) all at once to use superscript.
• Press Ctrl and the equal symbol (=) simultaneously to create a subscript.

Using the options in the Font dialogue box, You can also format text as superscript or subscript quite easily.

Apply superscripts and subscripts in formatting text

1. Select the word you wish to format as superscript and subscript.
2. Then, move to Home Tab (in the Font group), and pick the Font Dialog Box Launcher as shown below.
3. In the Font tab, select the Superscript or Subscript check box.

To undo superscript and subscript, select your text and press Ctrl+Spacebar.

Apply superscript or subscript symbols.

1. Click the slide where the symbol should be added.
2. Click Symbol under the Insert tab.
3. Under the Symbol box, first, select (normal text) if it isn’t already selected.
4. Then, in the Subset drop-down list, select Superscripts and Subscripts.
5. At last, select the symbol you want, press Insert, and then pick Close.

In macOS

The character you want to format should be selected first, then:

1. Press Cmd, Shift, and the plus sign (+) all at once to use superscript.
2. Press Cmd and the equal symbol (=) simultaneously to create a subscript.

The process to apply superscripts and subscripts in formatting text

1. Select the word you wish to format as superscript and subscript.
2. In the Font group, On the Home tab, click Superscript or Subscript 
   .

To undo superscript and subscript, select your text and press Ctrl+Spacebar.

Apply superscript or subscript symbols.

Simply insert the symbol, and it will format it on its own.

1. Select “Symbol” from the Insert tab.
2. The symbol you want to insert can be found by clicking or scrolling to Letterlike Symbols.

Web

Here’s how you can easily apply superscripts and subscripts on web application of different apps like MS Word or Excel:

1. Choose the character you want to change.
2. On the Home tab, select the More Font Options ellipsis button:
3. Then select Subscript or Superscript from the menu. And you’re done.