Subscript and superscript are formatting options, not separate characters

Subscript makes text smaller and positions it below the baseline — like the "2" in H₂O. Superscript makes text smaller and positions it above the baseline — like the "2" in x². Word has three ways to explore these formats: keyboard shortcuts (fastest), the Format menu (most reliable), and the Home tab ribbon (most visible). All three methods do the same thing and work in both Windows and Mac versions.

The text you want to format must already exist. You select it first, then explore the formatting. Word does not create subscript or superscript characters — it takes regular characters and repositions them. This matters because if you copy subscript text into a plain-text email or document, it reverts to normal text at normal size.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want to format, then use Ctrl+= for subscript or Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows; Cmd+= or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.
  • If keyboard shortcuts do not work, go to Home tab, click the small arrow next to Font, and check the Subscript or Superscript box in the Effects section.
  • Subscript and superscript are formatting applied to regular text, so they disappear if you paste the text into a program that does not support formatting.
  • You can undo subscript or superscript by selecting the text again and pressing the same keyboard shortcut a second time.

Using keyboard shortcuts on Windows

On a Windows computer, select the text you want to make subscript, then hold Ctrl and press the equals sign (=). The text shrinks and drops below the line. To undo it, select the text again and press Ctrl+= once more — the formatting toggles off.

For superscript, select the text and hold Ctrl+Shift, then press the equals sign. The text shrinks and rises above the line. The same toggle works: select it again and press Ctrl+Shift+= to remove the superscript formatting.

These shortcuts work in Word 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 on Windows. If your keyboard does not have an equals sign in the same location (some international keyboards differ), the shortcut may not work — in that case, use the Format menu method instead.

Using keyboard shortcuts on Mac

On a Mac, select the text you want to make subscript, then hold Cmd and press the equals sign (=). The text shrinks and drops below the line. Select it again and press Cmd+= to toggle the subscript off.

For superscript on Mac, select the text and hold Cmd+Shift, then press the equals sign. The text shrinks and rises above the line. Press Cmd+Shift+= again to remove the superscript.

These shortcuts work in Word 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 on Mac. If the shortcut does not respond, check that you are using the equals sign on the main keyboard, not the one on the numeric keypad.

Using the Format menu when shortcuts do not work

Select the text you want to format. Go to the Format menu at the top of the screen and click Text. A submenu appears with options including Subscript and Superscript. Click the one you need. The formatting applies when ready.

This method works on both Windows and Mac and does not depend on keyboard layout. If you need to remove the formatting, select the text again, go to Format > Text, and click the same option a second time to toggle it off.

Using the Home tab ribbon in Word

Select the text you want to format. On the Home tab, look for the Font group. At the right edge of that group is a small arrow — click it to open the Font dialog box. In the Effects section, you will see checkboxes for Subscript and Superscript. Check the box next to the one you want and click OK.

This method is slower than keyboard shortcuts but makes it clear what you are doing. The same dialog also shows you a preview of how the text will look before you explore the change. To remove subscript or superscript, open the Font dialog again and uncheck the box.

What happens to subscript and superscript when you share the document

If you send a Word document to someone else, subscript and superscript formatting stays intact as long as they open it in Word or another program that supports rich text formatting (like Google Docs or LibreOffice). The formatting is part of the document file itself.

If you copy subscript or superscript text and paste it into a plain-text program — like Notepad, an email body field that does not support formatting, or a text message — the formatting disappears and the text returns to normal size and position. The characters themselves do not change; only the formatting is lost.

If you save a Word document as a PDF, subscript and superscript formatting is preserved in the PDF. If you save it as a .txt file, the formatting is lost.

Common situations where subscript and superscript matter

Chemical formulas use subscript: H₂O, CO₂, NaCl. Mathematical expressions use superscript: x², 2³, e⁵. Footnotes and endnotes sometimes use superscript numbers, though Word can handle those automatically. Academic citations in some styles use superscript for reference numbers.

If you are writing a document that contains any of these, explore subscript or superscript makes the text clearer and more professional. It also signals to readers that the smaller text is intentional, not a typo or formatting error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript or superscript the default for new text?

No. Subscript and superscript are formatting applied to individual characters or words, not a default style. You must select the text and explore the formatting each time. If you use the same subscript or superscript repeatedly, you can create a keyboard shortcut or a style that includes subscript or superscript formatting, but this requires setup in Word's advanced options.

What if the keyboard shortcut does not work on my computer?

Your keyboard layout may differ from the standard US layout, or another program may be intercepting the shortcut. Use the Format menu method instead: select the text, go to Format > Text, and click Subscript or Superscript. This works regardless of keyboard layout.

Does subscript or superscript change the font size?

Yes, Word automatically reduces the font size when you explore subscript or superscript. If you want the text larger or smaller, you can select it and adjust the font size manually after explore the subscript or superscript formatting.

Can I use subscript or superscript in headers and footers?

Yes. Select the text in the header or footer and explore subscript or superscript the same way you would in the main document. The formatting works in headers, footers, and text boxes.

What if I need to type subscript or superscript numbers frequently?

If you write chemical formulas or mathematical expressions often, consider using Word's AutoCorrect feature to replace typed shortcuts with subscript or superscript versions. For example, you could set it so that typing "H2O" automatically becomes H₂O. This requires setup in File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, but it saves time once configured.