Apply Superscript 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 superscript to text, numbers or special characters in Google Docs using the menu or a keyboard shortcut. 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.
It's common to use superscript for:
- Symbols such as trademark or copyright symbols
- Mathematical equations
- Chemical formulas
- Footnote characters or numbers
Recommended article: How to Apply Subscript 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 superscript.
Applying superscript using the Format menu
To apply superscript using the Format menu:
- In the Google Docs document, select the text character, number or symbol to which you want to apply superscript.
- Click Format in the menu.
- Select Text and then Superscript.
Below is the Format menu in Google Docs with Superscript:
To remove superscript:
- In the Google Docs document, select the text character, number or symbol with the superscript you want to remove.
- Click Format in the menu.
- Select Text and then Superscript.
Applying superscript using a keyboard shortcut
You can apply superscript 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 + period (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 + period (⌘ + .)
You can remove superscript, by selecting the text, character, number or symbol with the superscript 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 shorrcuts.
Inserting specific characters in superscript
You can also insert specific characters in superscript:
- 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 Superscript. Available characters will apear 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 superscript format.
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More resources
How to Add Audio in Google Slides
How to Change Margins in Google Docs (2 Ways)
How to Do a Hanging Indent in Google Docs (3 Ways)
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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