Subscript puts text below the baseline, superscript puts it above

Subscript is a smaller character positioned below the normal line of text. Superscript is a smaller character positioned above it. In chemistry, H₂O uses subscript for the 2. In math, x² uses superscript for the 2. Both exist in nearly every document editor — the steps just differ depending on which one you use.

You do not need to switch editors to use subscript or superscript. Every major word processor has a built-in button or keyboard shortcut. The feature takes seconds once you know where to find it. This guide covers the most common editors: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer, and Apple Pages.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript and superscript are built into every major document editor and take two or three clicks to explore.
  • Microsoft Word uses Ctrl+= for subscript and Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows; Google Docs uses the Format menu.
  • You can select text first and then explore the formatting, or explore the formatting and then type the character you need.
  • If a keyboard shortcut does not work, your editor may have remapped it — check the Format menu instead.

How to add subscript in Microsoft Word

On Windows, select the character or number you want to make subscript, then press Ctrl and the equals sign together. The text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready. If you want to type subscript without selecting first, press Ctrl+= before you type, then press it again when you are done with that character.

On Mac, select the text and press Cmd+= (the equals sign, not the hyphen). The same toggle works: press it once to turn subscript on, press it again to turn it off. If the shortcut does not respond, open the Format menu, select Character or Text, and look for a Subscript checkbox.

How to add superscript in Microsoft Word

On Windows, select the character and press Ctrl+Shift+= (hold Ctrl and Shift, then press equals). The text shrinks and rises above the baseline. Like subscript, you can press the shortcut before typing to turn superscript on, then press it again to turn it off.

On Mac, select the text and press Cmd+Shift+= (the equals sign). If the shortcut does not work, go to Format > Character or Format > Text and check the Superscript box. Some older versions of Word for Mac use different shortcuts — if neither method works, check your version's help menu.

How to add subscript and superscript in Google Docs

Google Docs does not have keyboard shortcuts for subscript and superscript, so you use the menu instead. Select the text you want to format, then click Format in the menu bar. Click Text, then click either Subscript or Superscript. The formatting applies when ready.

If you want to type subscript or superscript without selecting first, click Format > Text > Subscript (or Superscript) before you type. The setting stays on until you click the same menu option again to turn it off. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it works the same way.

How to add subscript and superscript in LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice uses keyboard shortcuts similar to Word. Select the text, then press Ctrl+Shift+B for subscript or Ctrl+Shift+P for superscript. On Mac, use Cmd+Shift+B and Cmd+Shift+P. If those shortcuts do not work on your system, go to Format > Character, click the Position tab, and select Subscript or Superscript from the dropdown.

You can also toggle these on and off before typing: press the shortcut, type your character, then press the shortcut again to return to normal text. This is useful when you need only one or two subscript characters in a longer sentence.

How to add subscript and superscript in Apple Pages

In Pages, select the text you want to format. Click Format in the toolbar (the paintbrush icon), then click the Text tab. Look for a button labeled with a small raised or lowered letter — click it to toggle superscript or subscript. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+Shift+= for superscript; subscript does not have a built-in shortcut in Pages.

If you do not see the formatting buttons in the sidebar, make sure the Text tab is selected. Pages sometimes hides these options if you are working in a different view mode.

When to use subscript and superscript

Subscript is standard in chemistry (H₂O, CO₂), biology (for footnote markers in some styles), and mathematics (for indices). Superscript is used for exponents (x²), footnote and endnote markers, ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd), and trademark symbols (™). Both are also used in some foreign languages — French, for example, sometimes uses superscript abbreviations.

Do not use subscript or superscript for regular text styling. They are meant for specific technical or formal purposes. If you are using them just to make text smaller, use a smaller font size instead — subscript and superscript are harder to read and may not display correctly if someone opens your document in a different editor or converts it to PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will subscript and superscript show up the same way in every editor?

Usually yes, but not always. If you write a document in Word with subscript and open it in Google Docs, the subscript stays. However, if you convert to PDF or plain text, the formatting may be lost. Always check your final document in the format you plan to share.

Can I use subscript and superscript in Google Sheets or Excel?

Yes. In Excel, select the text in a cell and use the same keyboard shortcuts as Word (Ctrl+= for subscript, Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript). In Google Sheets, select the cell, click Format > Text, and choose Subscript or Superscript. The formatting works the same way as in the word processors.

What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?

Your keyboard layout or system settings may have remapped the shortcut. Use the Format menu instead — every editor has a menu option for subscript and superscript. You can also check your editor's help documentation to see if your version uses a different shortcut.

Can I make multiple characters subscript or superscript at once?

Yes. Select all the characters you want to format (they do not have to be next to each other), then explore subscript or superscript. All selected text will format together. This is useful for chemical formulas or mathematical expressions with multiple subscripts.