How to Create Superscript and Subscript in MS Word

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Easy-to-follow steps for using Superscript and Subscript in MS Word on your computer

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Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Tested

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Superscript

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Subscript

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Superscript and subscript allow you to type characters that appear above or below the normal text line. You can easily switch between superscript, subscript, and normal text in Microsoft Word.

How to Write Superscript in Word

Type the text you want to appear as superscript.
Highlight the text with your mouse.
Click the Home tab.
Click the X² icon in the toolbar at the top.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Superscript

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You can also place your cursor where you want to start typing superscript.
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Enable superscript. Your highlighted text will be converted to superscript, or you can begin typing at the cursor's location to type in superscript. There are a few different ways that you can enable superscript:
- Click the x² button in the Font section of the Home tab.
- Click the Format menu, select Font and then check the "Superscript" box.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + equals.
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Once you're done using superscript, you can disable it by doing the same thing you did to enable it. This will return you to regular typing.
You can revert text to normal by selecting it and pressing Ctrl + Space.^{[1]
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Part 2

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Subscript

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You can also click to place your cursor where you want to start typing subscript.
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Enable subscript. Your highlighted text will be changed to subscript, or you can start typing in subscript at your cursor's location. There are several ways to enable subscript.
- Click the x₂ button in the Font group on the Home tab.^{[2]
  X
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- Click the Format menu and select Font. Check the "Subscript" box.
- Press Ctrl + equals.
After you're done using subscript, disable it the same way you turned it on.
If you don't want text to be subscript or superscript anymore, you can select it all and press Ctrl + Space.

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How do I cut through a letter in the middle?

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Right next to the underline button, there should be a button called 'strikethrough'. It has the letters "abc" on it and a line through the middle of them. Select the text you want to use strikethrough on and then click on the strikethrough key.

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