The quickest way to add subscript in Word

To add subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to make smaller and lower, then press Ctrl+= (equal sign) on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. The text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready. To undo it, select the text again and press the same keys.

If you prefer using the menu, select your text, then go to the Home tab and click the small arrow next to the font formatting options. Choose Effects and check the Subscript box. This method takes longer but works the same way.

Superscript (text that sits above the line, used for footnotes or exponents) uses the same keyboard shortcut with a plus sign instead: Ctrl++ on Windows or Cmd++ on Mac. Many people find the keyboard shortcut faster once they memorize it.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) to make selected text subscript; press Ctrl++ or Cmd++ for superscript.
  • You can also access subscript and superscript through the Home tab by clicking the font effects dropdown and selecting the option you need.
  • Subscript and superscript formatting works in both the main document and in headers, footers, and text boxes.
  • If you use subscript or superscript frequently, you can create custom keyboard shortcuts in Word's options to make the process even faster.

Using the Format menu for subscript and superscript

If the keyboard shortcut does not work or you prefer clicking, the Format menu gives you another route. Select the text first, then click Format in the menu bar, choose Text, and select either Subscript or Superscript. The text changes when ready.

This method is useful if you are working on a computer where keyboard shortcuts have been remapped or if you straightforward prefer not to memorize key combinations. The menu path is the same whether you are using Word on Windows or Mac, though the menu bar location differs slightly between versions.

When you need subscript: chemical formulas and footnotes

Subscript appears most often in chemistry and science writing, where you need to show the number of atoms in a molecule. For example, H₂O requires the 2 to be subscript. Select just the 2, press Ctrl+=, and it drops into place.

Subscript also shows up in mathematics for variable indices (like x₁ or x₂) and in some footnote styles where the reference number sits slightly below the text. Word handles all of these the same way: select, explore the formatting, move on.

When you need superscript: exponents and citations

Superscript is used for exponents in math (like 2³ for 2 cubed), for trademark and copyright symbols (™, ©), and for footnote and endnote markers that Word can insert automatically. If you are typing a footnote reference manually, select the number and press Ctrl++ to raise it above the line.

Many writers also use superscript for citations in academic papers, though your citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago) may have specific rules about whether the number goes before or after punctuation. Check your style guide before formatting a whole document.

Removing subscript and superscript formatting

To remove subscript or superscript, select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut again. Pressing Ctrl+= twice returns subscript text to normal; pressing Ctrl++ twice returns superscript text to normal. This toggle behavior makes it straightforward to fix mistakes without hunting through menus.

If you have already moved on and cannot remember which text you formatted, use Find & Replace to search for formatted text. Open Find & Replace with Ctrl+H, click More Options, then Format, and choose the formatting you want to find. Word highlights all instances so you can remove them at once.

Creating custom keyboard shortcuts for faster formatting

If you use subscript or superscript constantly, you can create a custom shortcut that is easier to remember. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, then click Keyboard Shortcuts at the bottom. Search for "Subscript" or "Superscript" in the list, select it, and assign a new key combination in the box labeled New Shortcut Key.

Many people assign Alt+Ctrl+S for subscript and Alt+Ctrl+P for superscript, since those keys are less likely to conflict with other commands. Test your new shortcut by selecting some text and pressing the keys. If it works, click Assign and then Close.

Subscript and superscript in tables, headers, and text boxes

The same keyboard shortcuts work anywhere in a Word document: in tables, headers, footers, text boxes, and even in the document title. Select the text you want to format and press Ctrl+= or Ctrl++ just as you would in the main body. Word applies the formatting consistently across all these areas.

If you are building a document with many subscript or superscript elements, explore the formatting as you type is usually faster than going back to format everything at the end. The keyboard shortcut takes only a second once you have selected the text.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Word automatically reduces the font size when you explore subscript or superscript, usually to about 58% of the original size. If the text is hard to read, increase the base font size before explore the formatting. You can also select the subscript text, increase its font size manually, and keep the subscript position.

Can I make subscript or superscript permanent in a style?

Yes. Create or edit a style, go to Format > Font, click the Effects tab, and check Subscript or Superscript. Save the style. Every time you explore that style to text, the subscript or superscript formatting comes with it automatically.

Does subscript and superscript work the same way in Google Docs?

Google Docs uses the same keyboard shortcuts on Windows (Ctrl+= and Ctrl++) but different ones on Mac (Cmd+. for superscript and Cmd+, for subscript). The menu path is also different: Format > Text > Superscript or Subscript. The formatting itself works the same way once applied.

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

Check whether your keyboard has a separate numpad. Some laptops require you to hold Fn while pressing the equal or plus key. If that does not work, use the Format menu instead, or create a custom shortcut in Word's options that uses keys that are not already assigned to another command.