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How to use subscript and superscript in Word

4 min read

Summary

Subscript and superscript in Word help format scientific, technical, and academic documents clearly and accurately. These features enhance readability and precision in your work.

Using subscript and superscript in Microsoft Word is helpful when writing scientific formulas, mathematical expressions, or footnotes. These formatting options allow certain characters to appear slightly below or above the normal text line, adding clarity and precision to your documents.

To get started, open your Word document and select the text or character you want to format. For superscript—commonly used for exponents like “x²”—highlight the character, then click on the Home tab and select the Superscript icon (x²) in the Font group. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + + on your keyboard.

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For subscript—often used in chemical formulas like “H₂O”—highlight the desired character, go to the Home tab, and click the Subscript icon (x₂). You can also press Ctrl + = as a shortcut.

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Both superscript and subscript can also be applied through the Font dialog box. Right-click the selected text, choose Font, and check the box for either option. This method offers more control, especially if you're formatting several elements at once.

Using these tools ensures your document looks professional and meets formatting standards, especially in academic or technical writing.

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