How to Insert Superscripts in Word, Typing Exponents in Word 2021, 2019, 2016

Entering chemical formulas in Word is as easy as typing the superscript and subscript of these formulas. Follow along with Mytour's article below to learn how to insert exponents in Word.

How to insert superscript and subscript in Word

1. Benefits and purposes of writing exponents in Word

• Formulate accurate mathematical, chemical, and physical formulas.
• Create notes or highlight important points.
• Help standardize documents better.
• Record Celsius symbols, exponents in Word.

2. For Word 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021

The interface of Word 2010, 2013, 2019, and 2021 is similar, so Mytour will guide the 2016 version; you can perform the same for versions 2010, 2013, and 2021.

Method 1: You can use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + = to insert superscript or Ctrl + Shift + - to insert subscript.

Method 2: To open the Font dialog box, select the Home tab, then click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group (or open the Font dialog box by pressing the Ctrl + D key combination).

- Select the desired numbers to insert, then in the Font dialog box, under the Effects section, choose Superscript for upper placement, Subscript for lower placement, and click OK to confirm.

- You will see the result as shown in the image below.

Method 3: In Word, the Ribbon bar also has a built-in function button to help you perform this exponent insertion operation faster. To insert superscript and subscript, simply click on the symbol (X₂: for subscript; X²: for superscript) located in the Home tab, Font section.

3. For Word 2007

Method 1: You can use keyboard shortcuts to insert exponents similarly to Word 2003.

Method 2: To open the Font dialog box, select the Home tab, then click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group (or open the Font dialog box by pressing the Ctrl + D key combination).

- To insert subscripts for A² + B₂ + C² + D₂ + E² , select the numbers 2 and 4, then open the Font dialog box, check the Subscript option (for subscript). If you want to insert superscripts, select Superscript.

Tip: To select multiple exponents at once, click on the first number, hold down the Shift key, and then click on the other exponents.

The result after performing: A² + B₂ + C² + D₂ + E^2:

If you want to write fractions with exponents in Word, you just need to follow the correct formula in the fraction writing guide in Word introduced by Mytour. Then, you can simply insert exponents in Word, specifically insert superscripts in Word similar to the method in this article to write fractions with exponents in Word.

You just need to insert exponents in Word as usual to be able to write fractions with exponents in Word.

The result after writing fractions with exponents in Word.

Method 3: To insert superscripts and subscripts, simply click on the symbol (X₂: for subscript; X²: for superscript).

4. For Word 2003 in Office 2003

Method 1: Use keyboard shortcuts

- To write superscripts, for example X², ... You just need to type the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + =

- To write subscripts, for example: Cu₂O, ... You only need to enter the shortcut Ctrl + =

To return to normal typing mode, simply press the same shortcut combination again.

Method 2: Use settings in Font

You highlight the number as you want it to be a superscript.

Then go to Format, choose Font. When the Font dialog box appears, check Superscript and click OK.

To write subscripts, for example A² + B₂ + C² + D₂ + E², follow these steps:

Select the number (specifically the number 2) you want to make a subscript, go to Format and choose Font, then select Subscript in the Effects group and click OK.

After pressing OK, you will see the result as follows:

5. How to write exponents and insert superscript and subscript in Word on MacOS.

5.1. Writing exponents (superscripts) in Word versions 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021 on MacOS

Step 1: Open the Word file, enter the text you want to create a superscript for, then highlight the character you want to turn into a superscript.

Step 2: On the toolbar under Home => Font => Select the character X²

5.2. How to write subscripts in Word versions 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and on macOS

Step 1: Similarly to entering superscripts, you select the text you want to create subscripts for and highlight it.

Step 2: Under the Home tab => In the Font section => Select X₂.

For Word 2003 on MacOS, you can apply method 2 for Word 2003 on Windows.

6. How to revert superscript and subscript formatting to normal

Step 1: Select all characters formatted as superscript and subscript, then Right-click => Choose Font.

Step 2: Here in the Effects section, uncheck all checkboxes in the Superscript and Subscript part, then click OK.

- Result:

The article above has helped you insert exponents in Word, superscripts, and subscripts into documents in Word. This is considered a necessary operation for those who frequently compose documents, insert mathematical, chemical formulas, etc. Additionally, you can refer to How to insert charts in Word to draw charts in Geography exercises, mathematics, and in dissertations, graduation projects.

Google Docs is a current online document editing tool, you can refer to How to insert exponents in Google Docs to learn how to use it.