Apply Subscript in Google Docs (Text, Numbers or Symbols)
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 7, 2021
Applies to: Google Docs® (Windows or Mac)
You can apply subscript to text, numbers or special characters in Google Docs using the menu or a keyboard shortcut. If you apply subscript, the selected letter, number or symbol will be lowered slightly below the line of text and sized to a smaller size.
It's common to use subscript for:
- Mathematical equations
- Chemical formulas
Recommended article: How to Superscript in Google Docs (Mac or Windows)
First, you will need to log in to your Google Drive account at drive.google.com and then open the Google Docs document in which you want to apply subscript.
Applying subscript using the Format menu
To apply subscript using the Format menu:
- In the Google Docs document, select the text character, number or symbol to which you want to apply subscript.
- Click Format in the menu.
- Select Text and then Subscript.
Below is the Format menu in Google Docs with Subscript:
To remove subscript:
- In the Google Docs document, select the text character, number or symbol with the subscript you want to remove.
- Click Format in the menu.
- Select Text and then Subscript.
Applying subscript using a keyboard shortcut
You can apply subscript using a keyboard shortcut.
For Windows users:
- In the Google Docs document, select the text character, number or symbol to which you want to apply superscript.
- Press Ctrl + comma (Ctrl + ,).
For Mac users:
- In the Google Docs document, select the text character, number or symbol to which you want to apply superscript.
- Press Command + comma (⌘ + ,).
You can remove subscript, by selecting the text, character, number or symbol with the subscript you want to remove and then using the same keyboard shortcut.
If the keyboard shortcuts are not working, you may have a Chrome extension installed that is interfering with the shortcuts.
Inserting specific characters in subscript
You can also insert specific characters in subscript:
- Click in the Google Docs document where you want to insert the character.
- Click Insert in the menu.
- Select Special characters. A character map will appear.
- In the Search box, enter subscript. Available characters will appear on the left.
- Click the character you want to insert.
- Click Close (X) on the top right of the dialog box.
It may be easier to simply type the character and then apply the subscript format.
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More resources
How to Add Audio in Google Slides
How to Create a Hanging Indent in Google Docs
How to Strikethrough Text in Google Docs (with Shortcuts)
Google Docs Shortcuts to Quickly Select Text (10+ Windows Shortcuts)
Related courses
Microsoft Word: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft Word: Accessible Word Documents
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