The quickest way to type subscript and superscript

Subscript makes text smaller and lower (like the 2 in H₂O). Superscript makes text smaller and raised (like the 2 in x²). Both exist in Word, Google Docs, Excel, and most text editors — you just need to know where to find them.

The fastest method in almost every program is a keyboard shortcut. In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Command+= (Mac) for superscript, and Ctrl+- (Windows) or Command+- (Mac) for subscript. In Excel, there is no keyboard shortcut — you must use the Format menu. If you are typing in a web form or email that does not support formatting, you cannot create subscript or superscript at all.

The method you choose depends on what program you are using and whether you need to do this once or fifty times in the same document. A one-time use calls for the menu. Repeated use calls for the keyboard shortcut, because your hands stay on the keyboard and you work faster.

Key Takeaways

  • Keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+= for superscript, Ctrl+- for subscript on Windows; Command+= and Command+- on Mac) work in Word and Google Docs but not Excel.
  • In Excel, use the Format menu: right-click the cell, choose Format Cells, go to the Font tab, and check Superscript or Subscript.
  • To undo subscript or superscript, select the text and press the same keyboard shortcut again, or uncheck the box in the Format menu.
  • Web forms, email, and plain-text documents do not support subscript or superscript — these formats only work in programs that handle rich text.

Subscript and superscript in Microsoft Word

Select the text you want to make subscript or superscript. If you are typing new text, type it first, then select it. Selecting means clicking and dragging to highlight the letters or numbers.

Press Ctrl+= (hold Control and press the equals sign) for superscript. Press Ctrl+- (hold Control and press the hyphen) for subscript. The text shrinks and moves when ready. To undo, select the text again and press the same shortcut a second time — it toggles off.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, your keyboard layout may be different. Use the menu instead: select the text, go to the Home tab, click the small arrow next to Font, and check either Superscript or Subscript in the dialog box that opens.

Subscript and superscript in Google Docs

Select the text you want to format. The keyboard shortcuts are the same as Word: Ctrl+= for superscript and Ctrl+- for subscript on Windows, Command+= and Command+- on Mac.

If you prefer the menu, select the text and go to Format > Text > Superscript or Subscript. This route takes longer but works the same way. To remove the formatting, select the text again and press the shortcut a second time, or go back to Format > Text and click the option again to toggle it off.

Google Docs also lets you use the Format menu to access these options, which can be helpful if you forget the keyboard shortcut or if your keyboard does not have a hyphen key in the expected place.

Subscript and superscript in Excel

Excel does not have a keyboard shortcut for subscript or superscript. You must use the Format menu. Right-click the cell that contains the text you want to format, then choose Format Cells from the menu that appears.

In the Format Cells dialog box, click the Font tab at the top. You will see a section called Effects with checkboxes for Superscript and Subscript. Check the box next to whichever one you need, then click OK. The text in that cell shrinks and moves to the correct position.

To undo the formatting, right-click the cell again, choose Format Cells, go to the Font tab, and uncheck the box. This method works for text already in the cell — if you are typing new text, type it first, then format it.

When subscript and superscript do not work

Web forms, email messages, and plain-text documents do not support subscript or superscript. If you are filling out a form on a website or typing in Gmail, the keyboard shortcuts will not do anything. The same is true for Notepad or any program that saves as plain text only.

If you need subscript or superscript in an email, write the document in Word or Google Docs first, format it there, then copy and paste it into your email. Some email programs (like Outlook) preserve the formatting when you paste. Others (like Gmail) strip it out. Test with a small example before you send something important.

For web forms that require chemical formulas, mathematical notation, or other subscript or superscript text, check whether the form has a text editor built in. Some do; most do not. If it does not, contact the form owner and ask how they want you to write it — they may accept H2O instead of H₂O, or they may have a workaround.

Subscript and superscript in other programs

Most word processors and office programs follow the same pattern as Word and Google Docs. LibreOffice Writer, Apple Pages, and OpenOffice all use Ctrl+= and Ctrl+- (or Command+= and Command+- on Mac) for superscript and subscript. If the shortcut does not work, check the Format menu for a Font or Text option.

Presentation software like PowerPoint and Google Slides use the same shortcuts. Select the text in your slide, press Ctrl+= or Ctrl+-, and the formatting applies. This is useful when you need to write equations or chemical notation in a presentation.

Spreadsheet programs other than Excel vary. Google Sheets does not have a built-in subscript or superscript feature in the same way — you may need to use special Unicode characters or insert an image instead. Check the Help menu in whatever program you are using if the standard shortcuts do not work.

Typing subscript and superscript numbers and symbols

Once you have formatted text as subscript or superscript, you can type any character — letters, numbers, or symbols. The formatting applies to whatever you type while it is active. Type the character, then press the shortcut again to turn off the formatting and return to normal text.

Common uses are chemical formulas (H₂O, CO₂), mathematical notation (x², y³, e⁻), and footnote markers. In Word and Google Docs, you can also insert footnotes and endnotes automatically, which handle the numbering for you — this is faster than typing superscript numbers by hand if you have many footnotes.

If you need a subscript or superscript character that does not exist on your keyboard, you can copy and paste it from another document, or search for Unicode characters online. For example, the superscript 2 (²) and superscript 3 (³) can be found in character maps or copied from a reference page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make only part of a word subscript or superscript?

Yes. Select only the letters or numbers you want to format, then press the keyboard shortcut or use the menu. The rest of the word stays normal size. This is how you write H₂O — the H and O are normal, only the 2 is subscript.

What if I need subscript or superscript in a PDF?

If the PDF is editable (created from a Word document or Google Doc), you can edit it in the original program, format the text, and save it as a PDF again. If the PDF is locked or scanned, you cannot edit the text inside it. You would need to recreate the document in Word or Google Docs, format it there, and export it as a PDF.

Does subscript or superscript work in PowerPoint?

Yes. Select the text in your slide and use the same keyboard shortcuts as Word (Ctrl+= for superscript, Ctrl+- for subscript on Windows). You can also use the Format menu if the shortcut does not work on your keyboard.

Why does my keyboard shortcut not work?

Some keyboards, especially on laptops or non-English layouts, do not have the hyphen or equals sign in the expected place. Try using the Format menu instead. If you are in a web form or email, the program may not support subscript or superscript at all — try copying and pasting from Word or Google Docs instead.

Can I save subscript and superscript in a Google Sheet?

Google Sheets does not have a native subscript or superscript feature like Docs does. If you need it, insert an image of the text formatted in Docs, or use Unicode characters. For most spreadsheet work, plain text like H2O is acceptable and easier for others to read and edit.