How to Do Subscript and Superscript in Google Docs (Desktop & Mobile)

If you’ve ever written H₂O in chemistry, 10² in math, or a footnote¹ in an essay, you’ve already used subscript and superscript in Google Docs. These are formatting features where text sits slightly below (subscript) or above (superscript) the normal line.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to do superscript in Google Docs and how to subscript in Google Docs—on both desktop and mobile. We’ll cover the Format menu method, shortcuts, and equation editor, plus give you subscript shortcut Google Docs references and solutions if they’re not working.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to add subscript in Google Docs and superscript too.

What Are Superscript and Subscript in Google Docs?

  • Superscript Google Docs → Text raised above the line (like exponents, footnotes, ordinal indicators). Example: 10², 1ˢᵗ.
  • Subscript Google Docs → Text lowered below the line (like chemistry formulas or math indices). Example: H₂O, a₁.

Quick way to remember: Superscript goes up. Subscript goes down.

How to Do Superscript in Google Docs

Using the Format Menu

  1. Open Google Docs document on your desktop
  2. Select and highlight the text that you want to format as a superscript, or directly place the cursor where you want to start superscript.
  3. Click on the “Format” menu at the top of the screen.
  4. Navigate to “Text” and click Superscript option as shown in the below image
superscript in google docs, How to add superscript in Google docs, subscript in google docs

The selected text will now appear as a superscript in Google Docs, raised above the baseline and in a smaller font size.

superscript in google docs, How to superscript in Google docs

Superscript Shortcut Google Docs

  1. Open your Google Docs document.
  2. Select the text you want to turn into a superscript.
  3. Press “Ctrl + .” (period) on Windows or Chrome OS, or “⌘ + .” (period) on Mac while the text is selected.
  4. The selected text will instantly transform into a superscript.

This is the fastest way for superscript in Google Docs.

Using Equation Editor

  1. Open your Google Docs document.
  2. Click on the “Insert” menu at the top.
  3. From the drop-down menu, go to “Equation” and select “New Equation.”
  4. An equation editor will appear, allowing you to enter mathematical expressions and other symbols.
  5. In the equation editor, you can use the “Superscript” button (represented by “Xa“) to format the desired text as a superscript.
  6. Once you’re done with the equation, click outside the equation editor to close it, and the formatted superscript will appear in Google Docs.

How to Do Subscript in Google Docs

Using the Format Menu

  1. Open Google Docs in which you want to write a subscript.
  2. Now you have to select the text that you want to format as a subscript in Google Docs
  3. Then Go to Menu bar
  4. Click “Format” then go to “Text” now click Subscript as shown below
subscript in google docs, how to do subscript in google docs

The selected text will now appear as a subscript, lowered below the baseline and in a smaller font size.

shortcut for subscript in google docs

Subscript Shortcut Google Docs

  1. Open your Google Docs document.
  2. Highlight the text you want to turn into a subscript.
  3. Press the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + ,” (comma) on Windows or Chrome OS, or “⌘ + ,” (comma) on Mac while the text is selected.
  4. The selected text will instantly transform into a subscript in Google Docs.

This method is best for how to do a subscript in Google Docs quickly.

Using Equation Tool

  1. Open your Google Docs document.
  2. Click on the “Insert” menu at the top.
  3. Go to “Equation” and select “New Equation.”
  4. In the equation editor, enter your mathematical expressions or chemical equations.
  5. Use the “Subscript” button (represented by “Xa“) in the equation editor to format the desired text as a subscript.
  6. Close the equation editor to see the formatted subscript in your document.

Superscript and Subscript on the Google Docs Mobile App

There is an easy way to write subscript and superscript in Google Docs Android mobile application.

How to Add Superscript in Google Docs Mobile

Open the Google Docs mobile app and tap the “Edit” button in the bottom right corner.

How to add superscript in Google docs

Type your necessary text in the text editor and highlight the portion you want to superscript.

how to type subscript google docs

Tap the “Format” button in the toolbar at the top.

Select “X²” for superscript.

The highlighted text will now appear as a superscript.

how to do subscript in google docs

How to Add Subscript in Google Docs Mobile

  1. Open the Google Docs mobile app and tap the “Edit” button in the bottom right corner.
  2. Type your necessary text in the text editor and highlight the portion you want to subscript.
  3. Tap the “Format” button in the toolbar at the top.
  4. Select “X₂” for subscript.
  5. The highlighted text will now appear as a subscript.

Troubleshooting: Superscript or Subscript Not Working

In some cases, the Subscript and Superscript shortcuts not working in Google Docs. If you encounter such issues, try the following troubleshooting steps:

  1. Update your browser to the latest version.
  2. Remove unnecessary plugins from your browser
  3. Try to reset Google Chrome to default settings.

With various methods like using the Format Menu, keyboard shortcuts, and the Equation Editor, user can insert Google Docs superscript and subscript in easy way.

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