Superscript or subscript is a text, number, figure, symbol, or indicator that is smaller than the normal font and is displayed slightly above (superscript) or below (subscript) it. If you are migrating from popular documentation software like Ms Word or you are new to Google docs, then typing subscript or superscript in Google docs can be a bit of task. This blog covers three different ways (Format Menu, Keyboard Shortcut and Magic Search) by which you can type subscript or superscript in Google docs.
Method 1: Format Tab
- Either place the cursor where you want to start subscript or superscript or select the text that you need as subscript or superscript.
- Go to Format > Text and click Subscript or Superscript.
Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut
Alternatively, you use the following Google docs shortcut for subscript or superscript instead of using the above method.
You can quickly search any Google docs shortcut using Ctrl + / (Windows, Chrome OS) or ⌘ + / (Mac).
| OS | Subscript Shortcut | Superscript Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC & Chrome OS | Ctrl + , | Ctrl + . |
| Mac | ⌘ + , | ⌘ + . |
Method 3: Magic Search
Open search menu (I call it magic search) using Alt + / (Windows, Chrome OS) or Option + / (Mac). Search and select subscript / superscript (or any desired task say bold, italics, insert page break etc) to apply it. We can do all this without leaving keyboard and wasting time.
This method provides a quick way to search and apply any shortcut. This is the best feature of Google Docs which is not available in proprietary software like Ms Word.
Summary
Three different ways to add subscript and superscript are:
| Method | Subscript | Superscript |
|---|---|---|
| Format Tab | Go to Format > Text and select subscript | Go to Format > Text and select subscript |
| Keyboard Shortcut | Ctrl + , (Windows & Chrome OS) or ⌘ + , (Mac Os) | Ctrl + . (Windows & Chrome OS) or ⌘ + .(Mac Os) |
| Magic Search | Alt + / and then search & select subscript | Alt + / and then search & select superscript |