How to apply superscript and subscript in PowerPoint

Formatting text for correctness or appearance is part of putting together a professional presentation. If you have equations, compounds, or symbols in your content and are wondering how to apply superscript or subscript to it, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll show you how to format superscript and subscript in PowerPoint on Windows, Mac, and the web. As a bonus, we’ll also explain how the Plus AI add-on can help you create powerful presentations that capture your audience’s attention.

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Superscript versus subscript text

Superscript and subscript are text formats that are above or below the baseline of the surrounding letters. These formats make the text a bit smaller and raised slightly above (superscript) or dropped just below (subscript) the adjacent text.

You can use superscript text for things like footnote indicators, copyright or registered symbols, mathematical equations, and ordinal numbers like 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd.

Not as widely used as superscript, you can use subscript text for chemical formulas and compounds like H₂O, CO₂, and H₂SO₄.

Make text superscript or subscript in PowerPoint

While formatting text as superscript or subscript in PowerPoint is easy, you’ll follow slightly different steps depending on where you’re using the application.

Start by selecting the text, then use the steps below per your version of PowerPoint.

Superscript or subscript in PowerPoint on Windows

1. On the Home tab, open the Font Dialog Box Launcher (tiny arrow) in the Font group.

2. Go to the Font tab and check the box for Superscript or Subscript in the Effects section.
3. Optionally, you can adjust the percentage of Offset using a positive number for superscript or a negative number for subscript.

4. Click OK to apply the formatting and close the dialog box. You’ll then have your formatted text.

For a quick way to format the text, use Ctrl + Shift + Plus sign (+) for superscript or Ctrl + Equal sign (=) for subscript.

To remove superscript or subscript, select the text and press Ctrl + Space bar.

Superscript or subscript in PowerPoint on Mac

On the Home tab, click the Superscript or Subscript button in the Font section.

With just the click of a button, you’ll have your formatted text.

Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + Plus sign (+) for superscript or Command + Equal sign (=) for subscript.

To remove superscript or subscript, select the text and press Command + Space bar.

Superscript or subscript in PowerPoint on the web

On the Home tab, open the More Font Options menu (three dots), and select Superscript or Subscript.

You can also use the keyboard shortcuts above for Windows or Mac to add or remove the superscript or subscript in PowerPoint on the web.

Create PowerPoint presentations with Plus AI

Using the Plus AI add-on for PowerPoint, you can create presentations in just minutes. With attractive templates, customizable themes, and artificial intelligence, you can set up a successful presentation in no time.

You can use Plus AI with both PowerPoint and Google Slides and build a slideshow based on a prompt, with text, or by uploading a file. When you struggle for the best way to present your content and effectively relay your mission to your audience, just look to Plus AI.

Conclusion

Applying the superscript or subscript format to text in PowerPoint is ideal and maybe even necessary for mathematical equations or scientific compounds. But you can use this formatting for creating a unique text appearance as well.

And keep in mind that with Plus AI for PowerPoint, you can build slideshows quickly with the help of artificial intelligence.

FAQs

How do you clear a superscript?

You can disable the automatic superscript for ordinal numbers like 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and so on in Microsoft’s desktop applications on Windows.

Open File > Options and select Proofing. Click AutoCorrect Options and go to the AutoFormat As You Type tab. Uncheck the box for Ordinals (1st) with superscript and click OK.

How do I turn off superscript or subscript?

You can use keyboard shortcuts to return to regular text after applying superscript or subscript in PowerPoint.

• For superscript, press Ctrl + Shift + Equal sign on Windows or Command + Shift + Equal sign on Mac.
• For subscript, press Ctrl + Equal sign on Windows or Command + Equal sign on Mac.

How to do subscript and superscript in Docs?

In Google Docs, select the text you want to format. Open the Format menu, move to Text, and pick Superscript or Subscript in the pop-out menu.