Apply Superscript or Subscript in PowerPoint (Text, Numbers or Symbols)
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 12, 2021
Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)
You can apply superscript or subscript formatting easily in PowerPoint. If you apply superscript, the selected letter, number or symbol will be raised slightly above the line of text and sized to a smaller size. This is often used with a registered trademark or copyright symbol. If you apply subscript, the selection will be lowered slightly below the line of text and sized to a smaller size. You can easily turn off or remove superscript or subscript like other character formatting. To apply either of these formats, you can use the Font dialog box or keyboard shortcuts. You can also add buttons to the Quick Access Toolbar.
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It's common to use superscript or subscript for:
- Symbols such as trademark or copyright symbols
- Mathematical equations
- Chemical formulas
- Footnote characters or numbers
Applying superscript or subscript using a keyboard shortcut
To apply superscript or subscript using a keyboard shortcut:
- Select the text or symbol to which you want to apply superscript or subscript.
- To apply superscript, press Ctrl + Shift + equal sign (=). To apply subscript, press Ctrl + equal sign (=).
Removing or turning off superscript or subscript using a keyboard shortcut
To remove or turn off superscript or subscript using a keyboard shortcut:
- Select the text or symbol with superscript or subscript you want to remove. You can also click in a text box or placeholder at the location where you want to turn off superscript or subscript.
- To remove superscript, press Ctrl + Shift + equal sign (=). To remove subscript, press Ctrl + equal sign (=).
Applying superscript or subscript using the Font dialog box
Since superscript and subscript are character formats that can be applied to text or a symbol, the most common way to apply them is to use the Font dialog box. You can select or deselect check boxes to apply or remove superscript or subscript.
To apply superscript or subscript:
- Select the text or symbol to which you want to apply superscript or subscript.
- Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
- Click the dialog box launcher on the bottom right of the Font group (corner button). Alternatively, press Ctrl + T or Ctrl + Shift + F. A dialog box appears.
- Select the Superscript or Subscript check box. You can also press Alt + p for Superscript or Alt + b for subscript.
- Click OK or press Enter.
Below is the Font dialog box:
In the sample below, superscript has been applied to the registered trademark symbol:
ABC Company®
Removing or turning off superscript or subscript using the Font dialog box
To remove or turn off superscript or subscript:
- Select the text or symbol with superscript or subscript you want to remove. You can also click in a text box or placeholder at the location where you want to turn off superscript or subscript.
- Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
- Click the dialog box launcher on the bottom right of the Font group (corner button). Alternatively, press Ctrl + T. A dialog box appears.
- Select the Superscript or Subscript check box to deselect it. You can also press Alt + p for Superscript or Alt + b for subscript.
- Click OK or press Enter.
Adding superscript or subscript to the Quick Access Toolbar
If you want to apply or remove superscript or subscript frequently, you may want to add it to PowerPoint's Quick Access Toolbar. It's usually easier to work with the Quick Access Toolbar if you display it below the Ribbon. If the Quick Access Toolbar is above the Ribbon, click the down arrow to the right of the Quick Access Toolbar and select Show Below the Ribbon from the drop-down menu.
To add Superscript or Subscript buttons to the Quick Access Toolbar using the PowerPoint Options dialog box:
- Click the down arrow to the right of the Quick Access Toolbar and select More commands from the drop-down menu. The Options dialog box appears.
- In the menu below Choose commands from, select All Commands.
- In the list of commands on the left, click Superscript or Subscript.
- Click Add.
- Click OK. The buttons will appear as an X with a superscript or subscript character on the Quick Access Toolbar.
You will now be able to click the Superscript or Subscript buttons on the Quick Access Toolbar to apply or remove (or turn off) superscript or subscript.
In the PowerPoint Options dialog box below, Superscript and Subscript has been added to the commands on the right:
You can add many other useful commands to the Quick Access Toolbar in PowerPoint using this method.
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More resources
How to Embed a YouTube Video in PowerPoint
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How to Extract All Images from a PowerPoint Deck (or One or Two)
How to Insert a Video in PowerPoint (from a File on Your PC or Shared Drive)
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Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced
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Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp
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