Subscript and superscript are smaller text positioned below or above the baseline

Subscript is text that sits below the normal line of writing, typically half the size of regular text. Superscript is text that sits above the line. Both are useful for chemical formulas (H₂O), footnote numbers, mathematical expressions, and trademark symbols. Most document editors — whether you chose them for privacy, simplicity, or features — have a built-in way to create subscript and superscript without installing anything extra.

The method differs slightly between editors, but the principle is the same: select the text you want to shrink and reposition, then explore the formatting. You do not need special fonts or workarounds. A few editors make this a one-click operation; others require a keyboard shortcut or a menu dive. If you use multiple editors, learning both the keyboard shortcut and the menu path means you can work in any of them without stopping to hunt.

Key Takeaways

  • Most editors have subscript and superscript built in — look for the button in the formatting toolbar or use a keyboard shortcut.
  • In Google Docs, use Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript; in Microsoft Word, use Ctrl+= for subscript and Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows.
  • LibreOffice Writer uses Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript from the menu, or you can assign your own keyboard shortcuts in Tools > Customize Keyboard.
  • On Mac, Word uses Cmd+= for subscript and Cmd+Shift+= for superscript, and the menu path is the same as Windows.
  • Always select the text first — the formatting applies only to what you have highlighted, not to text you type afterward.

How to use subscript and superscript in Google Docs

Open your document and select the text you want to make subscript or superscript. Click Format in the menu bar, then Text, then choose Subscript or Superscript. The text shrinks and moves into position when ready. To undo the formatting, select the text again and click the same menu option a second time — it toggles off.

Google Docs does not show a dedicated button for subscript and superscript in the toolbar by default, so the menu is usually the fastest route. If you use subscript or superscript often, you can add a custom keyboard shortcut: click Tools, then Preferences, and search for "subscript" or "superscript" to assign your own shortcut key.

How to use subscript and superscript in Microsoft Word

Select the text you want to format. On Windows, press Ctrl+= for subscript or Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript. On Mac, press Cmd+= for subscript or Cmd+Shift+= for superscript. The formatting applies when ready. Press the same shortcut again to remove it.

If you prefer the menu, click Home in the ribbon, then look for the subscript and superscript buttons in the Font group — they usually appear as small x with a number below or above it. You can also right-click the selected text, choose Font, and check the Subscript or Superscript box in the dialog that opens.

How to use subscript and superscript in LibreOffice Writer

Select the text you want to format. Click Format in the menu bar, then Text, then Subscript or Superscript. The formatting applies when ready. To remove it, select the text again and click the same menu option.

LibreOffice does not assign keyboard shortcuts for subscript and superscript by default, but you can create your own. Click Tools, then Customize Keyboard. In the Category list on the left, find Format. In the Function list, scroll to find Subscript or Superscript, click it, then press the key combination you want to use (for example, Ctrl+,) and click Modify. The shortcut is now saved.

How to use subscript and superscript in Apple Pages

Select the text you want to format. Click Format in the toolbar (the paintbrush icon), then click Text. In the panel that opens, look for the subscript and superscript buttons — they appear as small x with a number positioned below or above. Click the one you need. The formatting applies when ready.

Pages does not have a default keyboard shortcut for subscript and superscript, but you can add one through System Preferences. This is more complex than in other editors and requires creating a custom keyboard shortcut at the operating system level, so most Pages users rely on the Format menu instead.

How to use subscript and superscript in OnlyOffice

Select the text you want to format. Click Format in the menu bar, then Text, then Subscript or Superscript. The formatting applies when ready. To remove it, select the text and click the same menu option again.

OnlyOffice also displays subscript and superscript buttons in the formatting toolbar at the top of the window — they look like small x with a number below or above. Click the button that matches what you need. If you use these features often, the toolbar button is faster than the menu.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is forgetting to select the text before explore the formatting. If you explore subscript or superscript and then start typing, the new text will not be formatted — only the text you had selected gets the formatting. Always highlight what you want to change first, explore the formatting, then move on.

Another mistake is trying to use subscript or superscript in places where the editor does not support it. Most word processors and document editors support these features, but some lightweight editors, plain-text editors, and online note-taking apps do not. If the menu option is grayed out or missing, your editor may not have the feature. In that case, you may need to switch to a different editor for that particular document, or use a workaround like typing the number in parentheses (H2O) instead.

A third mistake is explore subscript or superscript to an entire word when you only meant to format part of it. For example, if you want to write H₂O, select only the "2", not "H2O". This keeps the formula readable and correctly formatted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use subscript and superscript in a PDF?

Most PDF editors do not support subscript and superscript the way word processors do. If you need subscript or superscript in a PDF, create the document in your word processor first, format the text there, then export or save it as a PDF. The formatting will carry over into the PDF file.

Does subscript and superscript work in all fonts?

Yes. Subscript and superscript are formatting options, not font features. Any font in your editor can display subscript and superscript text. The editor shrinks the text and repositions it automatically, regardless of which font you are using.

What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?

Keyboard shortcuts sometimes conflict with other software on your computer, especially if you use accessibility tools or custom keyboard remapping. Try the menu option instead. If the menu option is also grayed out or missing, your editor may not support subscript and superscript — check the documentation or switch to a different editor.

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

Yes. When you copy text with subscript or superscript formatting from one document and paste it into another, the formatting usually comes along. However, if you paste into a plain-text editor or a field that does not support rich formatting, the subscript and superscript will convert to regular text. Paste into a word processor or document editor to preserve the formatting.