The fastest way depends on your editor

Subscript (small text below the line) and superscript (small text above the line) work differently in each editor. In Google Docs, highlight the text, then use Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript from the menu. In Microsoft Word, highlight the text and press Ctrl+= for subscript or Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows; on Mac, press Cmd+= or Cmd+Shift+=. In LibreOffice Writer, use Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript. Plain-text editors like Notepad cannot format subscript or superscript at all — you need a word processor or document editor.

If you are using a web-based editor you are less familiar with, the subscript and superscript buttons often live in the formatting toolbar as small x₂ and x² icons. Hover over toolbar buttons to see their names. If you cannot find them, check the Format menu or the Help section for that specific editor.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Docs, Word, and LibreOffice all have subscript and superscript in the Format menu, or you can use keyboard shortcuts in Word.
  • Subscript appears below the baseline (for chemical formulas like H₂O), and superscript appears above (for footnotes or exponents like x²).
  • Highlighting the text first, then explore the format, is the standard method across all document editors.
  • Plain-text editors cannot create subscript or superscript — you need a word processor or rich-text editor.

Using keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word

Word's keyboard shortcuts are the fastest method if you type subscript or superscript often. On Windows, select the text and press Ctrl+= (the equals sign, not the plus sign) for subscript. For superscript, press Ctrl+Shift+= at the same time. On a Mac, use Cmd+= for subscript and Cmd+Shift+= for superscript. These shortcuts work in both the desktop version and Word Online.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, check that you are pressing the right key. The equals sign is on the same key as the plus sign — you do not need to hold Shift for the equals sign itself. If you still have trouble, use the Format menu instead: select the text, go to Format > Text, and choose Subscript or Superscript.

Using the Format menu in Google Docs and LibreOffice

Google Docs and LibreOffice do not have keyboard shortcuts for subscript and superscript, so the menu is your main route. Highlight the text you want to format, then click Format at the top of the page. In Google Docs, select Text, then Subscript or Superscript. In LibreOffice Writer, select Text, then Subscript or Superscript. The text will shrink and move into position when ready.

If you use subscript or superscript regularly in Google Docs, you can create a custom keyboard shortcut. Go to Tools > Preferences, then Keyboard Shortcuts, and search for "subscript" or "superscript" to assign your own shortcut. This saves time if you are typing chemical formulas or mathematical notation frequently.

Selecting the right text before you format

The text must be highlighted before you explore subscript or superscript. Click at the start of the text you want to format, then drag to the end, or double-click a word to select it. If you select too much or too little, click elsewhere to deselect and try again. Once the text is highlighted (it will appear in blue or another color depending on your editor), explore the format using the menu or keyboard shortcut.

A common mistake is explore the format to the wrong part of a word. For example, in the chemical formula H₂O, you want only the "2" to be subscript, not the "H" or the "O". Select only the "2" before you explore subscript. This takes a moment of care but prevents the formula from looking wrong.

When subscript and superscript are not available

Some editors and platforms do not support subscript and superscript formatting. Plain-text editors like Notepad, Notepad++, and most code editors cannot create them. Email clients vary — Gmail supports subscript and superscript if you use the rich-text editor, but some email providers do not. If you need to send a document with subscript or superscript to someone else, save it as a PDF or Word file (.docx) rather than plain text (.txt) to preserve the formatting.

If you are writing in a platform that does not support subscript or superscript, you can use workarounds: write H2O instead of H₂O, or use a caret (^) to show superscript, like x^2 for x². These are less formal but still readable. Check the platform's documentation to see whether subscript and superscript are supported before you spend time formatting.

Removing subscript and superscript formatting

To remove subscript or superscript formatting, highlight the text and explore the same format again. In Word, select the text and press Ctrl+= or Ctrl+Shift+= a second time to toggle it off. In Google Docs and LibreOffice, highlight the text, go to Format > Text, and click Subscript or Superscript again. The text will return to normal size and position.

If you accidentally formatted the wrong text, undo the change when ready by pressing Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac). This is faster than removing the format manually, especially if you formatted multiple sections by mistake.

Common uses for subscript and superscript

Subscript is used in chemistry for chemical formulas (H₂O, CO₂), in mathematics for indices, and in footnotes or endnotes. Superscript is used for exponents (x²), footnote numbers, trademark symbols (™), and copyright symbols (©). If you are writing a scientific paper, lab report, or academic document, you will likely need both. Most word processors handle these automatically in some cases — for example, Word can auto-format some chemical formulas if you enable that feature in Tools > AutoCorrect Options.

If you are writing for the web or for social media, subscript and superscript may not display correctly depending on the platform. Test how your formatted text looks before you publish. Some platforms convert subscript and superscript to plain text, so H₂O might appear as H2O to your readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, both support subscript and superscript in cell text. In Google Sheets, highlight the text within the cell, then use Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript. In Excel, double-click the cell to enter edit mode, highlight the text, then use Format > Cells > Font and check the Subscript or Superscript box. The process is the same as in their document editors.

Why does my subscript or superscript look too small or hard to read?

Subscript and superscript are intentionally smaller than regular text. If it is too small to read comfortably, increase the font size of the entire document or paragraph, and the subscript and superscript will scale up with it. You cannot make subscript or superscript larger than regular text without removing the formatting.

Does subscript and superscript work the same way in Word Online as in the desktop version?

Yes, the menu method works identically in both. The keyboard shortcuts also work in Word Online on most browsers. If a keyboard shortcut does not work, use the Format menu instead — it is always available.

Can I copy and paste text that already has subscript or superscript formatting?

Yes, the formatting will copy along with the text if you paste it into the same type of editor. If you paste subscript or superscript into a plain-text editor or email that does not support formatting, it will appear as regular text. Always check that the formatting survived after you paste.