If you’re working on a document that requires superscripts and subscripts, Microsoft Word has several tools you can use to insert them. In this tutorial, we’ll go over three different methods: using the Superscript and Subscript buttons, the Symbol dialog box, and keyboard shortcuts.
Superscripts can also be created using Word’s footnote and endnote tools, but we won’t cover that method in this tutorial. Superscripts created with those tools are dependent on their corresponding notes, so if you delete the note, the superscript is deleted as well. If you’re interested in using those tools, there’s a separate tutorial available on Erin Wright Writing’s website.
For this tutorial, we’ll be using Word for Office 365, which is currently the same as Word 2019. However, the steps are the same in Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, and in most previous versions of the software.
Method 1: Superscript and Subscript Buttons
The Superscript and Subscript buttons can be used on any number, letter, or symbol in your document. To begin, select the Home tab in the ribbon. Then, place your cursor where you want to insert the superscript or subscript. Or, select the existing text that should be formatted as a superscript or subscript.
For example, if you want to insert a superscript number 1, place your cursor where you want to insert it. Next, select the Superscript button in the Font group. The button’s background will turn a darker gray than the surrounding ribbon when the formatting is turned on. Now, type the text that should receive the superscript formatting.
When you’re finished, select the Superscript button again to turn off the formatting. The button’s background will match the surrounding ribbon when the formatting is turned off.
Method 2: Symbol Dialog Box
The Symbol dialog box offers superscript versions of the numbers zero through nine and a small collection of other superscripts and subscripts mainly used in equations and formulas. Note that symbols are part of font files installed on your computer, so the symbols available to you will depend on the font you are using. However, all commonly used fonts such as Ariel, Times New Roman, and Helvetica should include the symbols shown here.
To begin, place your cursor where you want to insert the superscript or subscript. Then, select the Insert tab in the ribbon, followed by Symbol in the Symbols group. Then, select More Symbols in the drop-down menu.
Ensure that you are viewing the Symbols tab in the Symbol dialog box. Also ensure that normal text is selected in the Font menu so that your superscript or subscript matches your current font. Now, select Superscripts and Subscripts in the Subset drop-down menu. Then, select the superscript or subscript you need from the menu.
After you’ve made your choice, select the Insert button. You can move your cursor around the document and insert additional superscripts and subscripts while the Symbol dialog box is open. When you’re finished, select the Close button to close the Symbol dialog box.
Method 3: Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows users can use the following keyboard shortcuts to apply superscript or subscript formatting to any number, letter, or symbol in your document. Place your cursor where you want to insert the superscript or subscript. Or, select existing text that should be formatted as a superscript or subscript.
Superscript: Control, Shift, and the plus sign.
Subscript: Control and the equal sign.
Use the plus sign and the equal sign in the main keyboard because their equivalents in the number pad probably won’t work. Now type the text that should receive the superscript or subscript formatting, if you didn’t select existing text earlier. Finally, retype the keyboard shortcut to turn off the formatting when you are finished.
In conclusion, these are three ways to insert superscripts and subscripts in Microsoft Word. We hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them on Erin Wright Writing’s website.