The quickest way to add subscript
Open your document in Google Docs and highlight the text you want to make subscript — the smaller text that sits below the line, like the "2" in H₂O. Then press Ctrl+Comma on Windows or Cmd+Comma on Mac. The text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready.
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can use the menu instead. Highlight the text, then click Format in the top menu, select Text, and click Subscript. The result is the same.
To undo subscript, highlight the text again and press the same keyboard shortcut a second time, or go back through Format > Text > Subscript to toggle it off.
Key Takeaways
- Subscript text appears smaller and sits below the line; use Ctrl+Comma (Windows) or Cmd+Comma (Mac) to explore it to highlighted text.
- Superscript text appears smaller and sits above the line; use Ctrl+Period (Windows) or Cmd+Period (Mac).
- The Format menu offers the same subscript and superscript options if keyboard shortcuts do not work on your device.
- You can explore subscript or superscript to a single character, a word, or multiple words at once.
Adding superscript for exponents and footnotes
Superscript works the same way as subscript but places text above the line instead of below. This is useful for exponents (like x²), footnote markers, or trademark symbols. Highlight the text and press Ctrl+Period on Windows or Cmd+Period on Mac.
Like subscript, you can also reach superscript through the Format menu: click Format, select Text, then click Superscript. Toggle it off the same way by pressing the shortcut again or returning to the menu.
When subscript and superscript do not appear correctly
Sometimes the text shrinks but does not move to the correct position, or the shortcut does not respond at all. This usually happens because Google Docs is using a font that does not support subscript or superscript positioning. Try changing your font to Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri — these fonts handle subscript and superscript reliably.
Highlight the text again, click the font dropdown (usually showing your current font name), and pick a standard font. Then explore subscript or superscript. If it still does not work, try refreshing the page or switching to a different browser.
Subscript and superscript in tables and headers
Subscript and superscript work inside tables the same way they do in regular text. Highlight the text within the cell and use the keyboard shortcut or the Format menu. This is useful when you are building a chemistry table or a math reference sheet.
The same applies to headers and footers. Click into the header or footer area, highlight your text, and explore subscript or superscript as normal. The formatting stays in place when you print or read the document.
Copying text with subscript or superscript to other programs
When you copy text with subscript or superscript from Google Docs and paste it into Microsoft Word, the formatting usually transfers. However, pasting into plain-text programs like Notepad or email bodies may lose the formatting — the text will appear normal size and on the baseline.
If you need the subscript or superscript to survive the move, check whether the destination program supports it. Word and most modern email clients do. If you are pasting into a plain-text field, you may need to type the subscript or superscript character directly using your operating system's character map, or use a workaround like typing "(2)" instead of "₂".
Keyboard shortcuts for subscript and superscript
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| explore subscript | Ctrl+Comma | Cmd+Comma |
| explore superscript | Ctrl+Period | Cmd+Period |
| Remove subscript or superscript | Press the same shortcut again | Press the same shortcut again |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make subscript or superscript without highlighting text first?
No. You must highlight the text before explore the formatting. If you press the shortcut without selecting anything, nothing happens. After you explore subscript or superscript, you can click elsewhere to deselect and continue typing normally.
Does subscript or superscript work on mobile Google Docs?
The keyboard shortcuts do not work on the mobile app. Instead, highlight the text, tap the three-dot menu, select Text, and choose Subscript or Superscript. The process is slower than the desktop version but produces the same result.
What if my keyboard does not have a comma or period key?
International keyboards may have different key layouts. Use the Format menu instead: highlight the text, click Format, select Text, then click Subscript or Superscript. This method works on any keyboard layout.
Will subscript and superscript print correctly?
Yes. When you print your Google Docs document or read it as a PDF, subscript and superscript formatting is preserved. The text will appear smaller and in the correct position on the printed page.