The quickest way: use the Format menu in most Mac apps

Open the text you want to format in any Mac app that supports rich text — Pages, Word, Google Docs, or Mail all work. Highlight the character or number you want to make smaller and raised (superscript) or smaller and lowered (subscript). Then go to Format in the menu bar, select Text, and choose either Superscript or Subscript.

This method works when ready and reverses just as easily: select the formatted text again and click the same menu option to toggle it off. The keyboard shortcut varies by app — in Pages it's Command+Control+Plus for superscript and Command+Control+Minus for subscript — but the menu route works everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • The Format menu in Pages, Word, and Google Docs has built-in superscript and subscript buttons that work on any selected text.
  • Keyboard shortcuts exist in most apps but differ between Pages, Word, and Google Docs, so the menu is more reliable across programs.
  • If your app has no Format menu, you can create superscript and subscript using special Unicode characters or third-party keyboard apps.
  • Subscript and superscript formatting is preserved when you save as PDF or print, but may not survive a copy-paste into plain text.

Using keyboard shortcuts in Pages

If you work in Pages regularly, the keyboard shortcuts are worth learning. Select the text, then press Command+Control+Plus for superscript (the plus sign on your keyboard, not the numpad). For subscript, press Command+Control+Minus. Press the same combination again to remove the formatting.

These shortcuts only work in Pages, not in other Mac apps. If you switch between Pages and Word, you'll need to use the Format menu instead, since Word uses different shortcuts. The menu approach takes one extra click but works the same way everywhere.

In Microsoft Word on Mac

Word has its own keyboard shortcuts. Select your text, then press Command+Shift+Plus for superscript or Command+Minus for subscript. Like Pages, pressing the same combination again removes the formatting.

If you can't remember which is which, the Format menu works too: go to Format, then Text, then pick Superscript or Subscript. The menu is slower but more reliable when you're switching between apps or don't use Word every day.

In Google Docs

Google Docs puts these options in the Format menu just like Pages and Word. Select the text, go to Format, choose Text, then Superscript or Subscript. Google Docs also supports keyboard shortcuts: Command+. for superscript and Command+, for subscript.

The period and comma shortcuts are straightforward to mix up, so many people just use the menu. Your formatting stays intact when you read the document as a Word file or PDF, but it will be lost if you paste the text into plain text or email.

When your app doesn't have a Format menu

Some apps — particularly older ones or plain-text editors — don't have subscript or superscript built in. If you need these characters in an app that doesn't support formatting, you can insert them as special Unicode characters instead. On Mac, hold down Option and type the Unicode number, then release Option. For example, Option+00B2 creates the superscript 2 (²).

This method is slower and requires you to know the Unicode number for each character you want. A faster workaround is to type your text in Pages or Google Docs, format it there, then copy and paste it into your other app. Formatting sometimes survives the paste, depending on the app.

Preserving subscript and superscript when you save or share

If you save your document as a PDF or print it, subscript and superscript formatting stays intact in all Mac apps. The same is true when you save as a Word document (.docx) — the formatting transfers cleanly. Plain text files (.txt) will lose the formatting because plain text has no way to store it.

When you copy and paste formatted text into email, Messages, or another app, the formatting may or may not survive depending on whether that app supports rich text. Mail and Messages usually preserve it. Slack, some note apps, and plain-text editors will drop it. If you need the formatting to stick, save the document as a PDF and attach that instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript or superscript in Notes on Mac?

The built-in Notes app does not have subscript or superscript buttons in its Format menu. Your best option is to type the text in Pages, format it there, copy it, and paste it into Notes. The formatting usually sticks. If it doesn't, you'll need to use Unicode characters or accept plain text.

What if I need subscript numbers for a chemical formula?

Use the Format menu in Pages or Google Docs to format each number. If you're working in an app without subscript support, you can find Unicode subscript numbers online — for example, Unicode U+2082 is the subscript 2. Copy and paste these characters directly into your document.

Does subscript formatting work when I email a Word document?

Yes, if you attach the Word file (.docx) itself. The recipient can open it and see the formatting. If you copy and paste the text into the email body, the formatting may be lost depending on whether the recipient's email client supports rich text. Attaching the file is more reliable.

Can I use subscript in Google Sheets?

Google Sheets does not support subscript or superscript in cells. You can format text in the cell notes or comments, but the cell itself will show only plain text. If you need subscript in a spreadsheet, you may need to use a different tool or insert an image of the formatted text.