Superscript and subscript in Word: tips and shortcuts

Superscript and subscript in Word: tips and shortcuts

When you want to add a symbol to your Word document, there are chances that you might want it to appear different from the rest of the writing in the document. Superscript and subscript in Word allow you to use numbers, figures, and symbols that appear above or below your regular text. They look smaller or bigger compared to the standard typescript.

subscript in Word
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These are numbers or figures that you type slightly above or below your regular text in a sentence. You can refer to the typed text as superscript (when set above) and subscript (when set below). Once you know how to apply them to your document when using Microsoft Word, it will make your typing workflow faster plus give your presentation an aesthetic appeal.

How to superscript in Word

The use of Microsoft word keeps posing new challenges to users now and then. Sometimes, placing a symbol above the rest of the text in your sentence can seem difficult, but this is a none issue if you know how to superscript in Word.

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Suppose you want to perform the function in your Word document, how then do you go about it? Well, this procedure can help you:

  • Place a cursor where you want the superscripted figure to be. Do it by clicking where you would wish it to appear, but if you have the text you want to be in index form, highlight it.
  • Click the 'superscript mode button'. You can locate that button on the 'Home tab'. It is denoted by X with 2 indexed above it. Once you click the button, the cursor will reduce in size and appear immediately above the point in a sentence where you want it to be.
  • Type your text. Enter whatever symbol, figure or number you wish to include. What you have typed should be set above the usual text line.
  • Exit out of the mode. Once you are through with typing the text or inserting the symbol, you need to get out of the style lest the rest of the typed texts will appear smaller than the regular writing. To exit, click again on the same icon.

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How to do subscript in Word

Just like the style mentioned above, how to type subscript can as well be a challenge to many out there. If you are wondering how to subscript Word, the following steps will assist you to circumvent the problem:

  • Place your cursor where you want the typescript to be. Click where you want the symbols or figures to appear and if you already have the figure or symbol, highlight it.
  • Click the Subscript mode button. It is denoted by X indexed with 2 below it. You can locate it on the 'Home tab' next to the one discussed above.
  • Enter the text you require. When doing so, the typescript will start appearing below the rest of the words in the sentence.
  • Exit out of the mode. The last step involves exiting the style. This is because if you keep typing, the text will remain in that indexing mode throughout. Therefore, to opt out, click the same icon again.

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superscript in Word
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How to use the Symbol dialogue box to insert subscript and superscript text

Certain symbols cannot be typed. However, do not feel discouraged when you come across them as you type. A Symbol dialogue box is designed to assist you in such circumstances.

The Symbol dialogue box offers indexed versions of numbers from 0-9 together with a collection of symbols used in formulas and equations. So, if you were to use the Symbol dialogue box to insert subscript and superscript text, how do you then go about it?

  • Place the cursor where you want the indexes to be inserted.
  • Select the 'Insert tab' on the menu.
  • Click on 'symbols' in the symbol group. You can find it on the far right of your Microsoft Word interface.
  • Click on 'more symbols' in the drop-down menu.
  • Select 'normal texts' in the font menu. The purpose of doing this is to ensure that the content you are about to select matches your current font when you insert it in the sentence.
  • Click on the 'subset' drop-down menu, then choose 'superscript and subscript' option.
  • Select the symbols, figures or numbers you need from the list displayed.
  • Click on the 'Insert' button followed by the 'Close' button in order to close the Symbol dialogue box.

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Keyboard shortcuts for superscript and subscript in Microsoft Word

Knowing how to present your work using these indexes can be amazing sometimes. It is even more fun when you can use keyboard shortcuts to perform these functions..

subscript Word
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Word subscript shortcut

There is a keyboard shortcut on how to type a subscript. Place the cursor where you want to perform the function then press Ctrl + = (Equal Sign) keys.

Once you are through, you will need to press Ctrl + = keys again to exit the mode so that you can proceed with your regular text.

Word superscript shortcut

Similarly, place the cursor where you want the typescript to be, followed by pressing Ctrl + Shift + (+) Plus sign keys.

You can as well exit by repeating the same procedure of pressing the keys above.

Do not allow superscript or subscript in Word slow your typing speed. With knowledge on how to use them, you can finish your typing work faster and have a proper presentation of your work.

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Source: Legit.ng

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