How to Insert Superscripts and Subscripts in Google Docs

When typing a standard business letter in Google Docs, regular keyboard characters are usually sufficient. However, if you are typing out mathematical equations, chemical formulas (like H₂O), or adding footnote references, you must use characters that sit slightly above or slightly below the standard text line. These are known as superscripts (above the line) and subscripts (below the line). Google Docs provides both a menu option and incredibly fast keyboard shortcuts to format your text instantly.

How to Insert Superscripts and Subscripts via the Menu

You can apply this formatting to text you have already typed, or you can activate the formatting before you begin typing a new word.

1. Open your document in Google Docs.
2. Using your mouse, highlight the specific number or letter you want to format (for example, highlight the “2” in H2O).
3. Look at the menu bar at the top of the screen and click on Format.
4. In the drop-down menu, hover your mouse over Text.
5. A secondary menu will appear. Click on either Superscript or Subscript.

The highlighted character will instantly shrink and shift its position relative to the main line of text.

How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts (Recommended)

Navigating through two layers of drop-down menus is highly inefficient if you are typing a complex algebraic equation. The fastest way to format your text is by memorizing the keyboard shortcuts.

• Superscript Shortcut: Press and hold the Ctrl key, then press the Period (.) key. (On a Mac, use Command + Period).
• Subscript Shortcut: Press and hold the Ctrl key, then press the Comma (,) key. (On a Mac, use Command + Comma).

How to Exit Superscript or Subscript Formatting

A very common frustration occurs when a user activates superscript to type a squared symbol (e.g., x²), but then everything they type after that remains tiny and elevated. You must explicitly tell Google Docs to return to standard formatting.

1. To exit the formatting, simply execute the exact same keyboard shortcut a second time.
2. For example, if you just typed Ctrl + . to make a superscript, press Ctrl + . again.
3. Your text cursor will instantly drop back down to the normal baseline, allowing you to resume typing standard text.