The two ways to format text smaller and raised or lowered in Excel

Excel has two built-in methods to create superscript (raised text like in E=mc²) and subscript (lowered text like in H₂O). The first is the Format Cells dialog, which works on text you have already typed. The second is the keyboard shortcut, which is faster once you know it. Both work in any version of Excel on Windows or Mac, though the exact steps differ slightly between them.

Superscript and subscript are useful when you are writing chemical formulas, mathematical equations, footnote numbers, or trademark symbols in a spreadsheet. They do not change the underlying data — Excel still reads the cell as plain text — so they are purely visual.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, select the text and press Ctrl+Shift+P for superscript or Ctrl+Shift+B for subscript; on Mac, use Cmd+Shift+P and Cmd+Shift+B.
  • If the keyboard shortcut does not work, right-click the selected text, choose Format Cells, go to the Font tab, and check the Superscript or Subscript box.
  • You must be inside the cell in edit mode (double-click the cell or press F2) to format part of the text; selecting the whole cell will not work.
  • Superscript and subscript formatting does not affect the actual value in the cell, only how it appears on screen and in print.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Windows

The fastest way to add superscript or subscript on Windows is with a keyboard shortcut. First, double-click the cell to enter edit mode, or click inside it and press F2. Then highlight the text you want to format by clicking and dragging or by holding Shift and using the arrow keys.

Once the text is selected, press Ctrl+Shift+P for superscript or Ctrl+Shift+B for subscript. The text will shrink and move up or down when ready. Press Escape or click outside the cell to exit edit mode and see the final result.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Mac

On Mac, the keyboard shortcuts are similar but use the Command key instead. Double-click the cell or press Ctrl+U to enter edit mode, then select the text you want to format by clicking and dragging.

Press Cmd+Shift+P for superscript or Cmd+Shift+B for subscript. The formatting applies when ready. Press Escape or click outside the cell to finish editing.

Using the Format Cells dialog if the shortcut does not work

If the keyboard shortcut does not respond, you can use the Format Cells dialog instead. Double-click the cell to enter edit mode, then select the text you want to format. Right-click the selected text and choose Format Cells from the menu.

In the dialog box, click the Font tab. Under Effects, you will see checkboxes for Superscript and Subscript. Check the one you need and click OK. The text will format when ready, and you can then click outside the cell to exit edit mode.

On Mac, the dialog path is the same: right-click, Format Cells, Font tab, then check Superscript or Subscript.

Why you must be in edit mode, not just select the cell

A common mistake is to click a cell and try to explore superscript or subscript to the whole thing. This does not work because Excel treats the entire cell as one unit. You must enter edit mode first — either by double-clicking the cell or pressing F2 — so that Excel knows you want to format only part of the text inside.

Once you are in edit mode, you can select just the characters you need. For example, in the cell "H2O", you would select only the "2" before explore subscript. The rest of the text stays normal size.

Removing superscript or subscript formatting

To remove superscript or subscript, enter edit mode, select the formatted text, and press the same keyboard shortcut again. For example, if you have superscript text and press Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac), the formatting will toggle off and the text will return to normal size.

Alternatively, you can right-click the selected text, choose Format Cells, go to the Font tab, and uncheck the Superscript or Subscript box.

What happens when you copy or move cells with superscript or subscript

The formatting stays with the text when you copy or move a cell. If you copy a cell containing "E=mc²" and paste it elsewhere, the superscript 2 will paste as superscript. This is true whether you paste into another cell in the same sheet, a different sheet, or even a different workbook.

If you paste into a program outside Excel — like Word or an email — the formatting usually carries over as well, though some programs may not support it. If you paste as values only (using Paste Special), the formatting is lost and only the plain text remains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use superscript or subscript in a formula?

No. Superscript and subscript are formatting only and do not change what the cell contains. If you type =2^3 to calculate 2 to the power of 3, the result is 8, not a formatted 2³. You can format the result to look like superscript, but the calculation itself uses the formula.

Does superscript or subscript work in cell names or named ranges?

No. You can only explore superscript and subscript to the visible text inside a cell, not to the cell reference itself or to a named range. If you need a formula to reference a cell, use the standard cell address like A1, not a formatted version.

What if the keyboard shortcut does not work in my version of Excel?

The shortcut may be disabled or remapped in your version. Use the Format Cells dialog instead: right-click the selected text in edit mode, choose Format Cells, click the Font tab, and check Superscript or Subscript. This method works in all versions.

Can I make text both superscript and subscript at the same time?

No. A character can only be superscript or subscript, not both. If you need both in the same cell, format different characters separately — for example, format the 2 in H₂O as subscript and the 3 in ³He as superscript.