How to Do Subscript and Superscript in Google Docs?

Here are three ways to do subscript and superscript in google docs. Google Docs is very helpful for writing different kinds of data, from analytical and chemical formulas to citations. To use it efficiently, though, you need to use subscripts and superscripts.

But it can be challenging to perform the subscript command. Don’t worry. Many other people struggle to build subscripts in Google Docs. They can’t seem to find this option. What’s more, they aren’t conscious of the dedicated shortcuts.

Fortunately, once you receive the command, subscripting in Google Docs is pretty easy. In this article, you’ll get a complete walkthrough on the subject to not experience similar problems in the future; if you want to find out once and for all how to subscript in Google Docs, keep reading.

What is Subscript in Google Docs?

Google Docs is beneficial not only for writing words but also for various kinds of numbers. When your letters or numbers need to be above the text’s level, you’ll use superscript. It’ll look something like this: 25. On the other hand, if these require to be smaller and below the text, you’ll use a subscript, which looks like this H2O. The subscript and superscript appear on the right side of the text and are slightly smaller than the rest of the words.

Knowing how to subscript in Google Docs provides your document more meaning and looks much more professional.

Why use superscript in Google Docs?

There are many common applications for superscripts that you may want to add to your Google Doc. Some style guides and academic writing styles need to use superscripts in these instances.

For instance, you can add a superscript for ordinal numbers, like 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. While this feature is automatic in some word processors, you require to change the formatting yourself to achieve this in Google Docs.

If you’re writing a research paper, book, or proposal, you may need to add footnotes to a phrase or sentence. To build a footnote, you can add a superscript number after your inline text. Then, depending on your citation style, direct the reader to your reference with a corresponding number in your page’s footer or a notes section in various parts of the document.

You can also create footnotes immediately in Google Docs with the Ctrl (Cmd) + Alt (option) + F keyboard shortcut or by selecting ‘Insert’ from the menu bar and clicking on ‘Footnote’ in the dropdown menu. This way will add the superscript number to your body text and automatically add a footnote to your document’s footer.

You may require to add a superscript symbol to denote a registered trademark or copyright in academic or business writing. You can find the correct sign for your needs by selecting ‘Insert’ from the menu bar and clicking ‘Special characters’ in the dropdown menu.

If you’re writing mathematical equations or chemical compounds, you may also require to use superscript to notate your values.

How to Subscript In Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to make your text more professional and meaningful, there’s an easy thing you can do: learn how to subscript in Google Docs. In this section, we’ll describe how to work superscripts and subscripts successfully in your documents.

There are three ways to do it:

Using the Special Character Tool

The first method is relatively simple. This is what you’ll have to do:

1. Enter in the doc in Google Docs and look for the menu bar.
2. Make sure the cursor is placed in the text where you want superscript or subscript to show.
3. Navigate to ‘Insert’ and find the ‘Special characters’ option. Tap on it.
4. The ‘Special characters’ box will now appear.
5. In the search box, type ‘Superscript’ or ‘Subscript’.
6. You’ll be able to choose the option you need.
7. Click on it.

Your choice will automatically look in the text where your cursor is placed.

Alternatively, you can draw the symbol in the square, which will then open all the opportunities that are similar to your drawing.

Note: If you use the ‘Special character’ option, keep in mind you will require to search for “trademark” as two separate words.

Using the Format Option

You can also make your whole text look as superscript or subscript:

1. Open the document.
2. Once you finish writing, choose all the text which you want to show as superscript or subscript.
3. Now, from the menu bar, select ‘Format’.
4. Next, tap on ‘Text’ and choose either of the options you want.
5. Your text will look either smaller or larger than the rest.

That’s it. Your words or numbers will automatically display as superscript or subscript in a document. You can continue writing, and they’ll yet stay the same until you turn off the function by clicking on it again.

Using the Shortcuts

Finally, the third way to make words and numbers shown in superscript or subscript is to use the dedicated shortcuts. They’re helpful and straightforward, so make sure you remember them for future reference. The central command you’ll need is Ctrl.

If you need to subscript the text or numbers, do the following:

1. Highlight the text first.
2. Press Ctrl + comma.
3. On the other way, to superscript the text or numbers:
4. Highlight the text first.
5. Press Ctrl + period.

This is the fastest approach to subscript in Google Docs and superscript.

FAQs

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: How do I use superscript in Google Docs?”]A: The superscript option in Google Docs is located on the same menu as the subscript option. Go to Format > Text and click Superscript. You can also utilize the keyboard shortcut of Ctrl +. To switch to superscript mode.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: How can I eliminate subscript formatting from text in Google Docs?”]A: You can remove subscript formatting in Google Docs by highlighting the subscript text with your mouse, then going to Format > Text and hitting the Subscript option again.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: How do I clear formatting in Google Docs?”]A: While clear formatting won’t work to remove subscripts applied to text, it can pull another formatting. You can find the Clear formatting key at the right end of the toolbar above the document. The key looks like a T with a diagonal slash through it.[/wps_faq]