Excel doesn't have a direct subscript button, but you can format text as subscript in three ways

The fastest method is to select the text or number you want to make subscript, then press Ctrl + Shift + B on Windows or Cmd + Shift + B on Mac. This works inside cells while you're editing. If that keyboard shortcut doesn't work on your version, you can use the Format menu instead: select your text, go to Format > Cells, click the Font tab, check the Subscript box, and click OK. A third option is to use the Format Cells dialog with Ctrl + 1 (Windows) or Cmd + 1 (Mac), then navigate to the same Subscript checkbox.

The important thing to know upfront: subscript formatting in Excel only works on text that's already inside a cell. You cannot make a number subscript in a formula or in the formula bar itself — only the displayed text in the cell can be formatted. This matters because if you need subscript for a calculation, you'll need to type the result as text instead, which means Excel won't treat it as a number anymore.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + B (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + B (Mac) after selecting text inside a cell to make it subscript instantly.
  • Subscript formatting only affects how text looks in the cell — it does not change the actual value or how Excel treats the data in formulas.
  • If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, use Format > Cells, click the Font tab, and check the Subscript box.
  • Superscript uses the same methods but with Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) instead.

Using the keyboard shortcut inside a cell

The quickest way is the keyboard shortcut. Click inside the cell where you want subscript, then double-click the cell or press F2 to enter edit mode. Now select the specific text or numbers you want to make subscript by clicking and dragging across them. Once they're highlighted, press Ctrl + Shift + B on Windows or Cmd + Shift + B on Mac. The text will shrink and drop below the baseline immediately.

This method works best when you have a mix of normal and subscript text in the same cell — for example, if you're typing "H₂O" and only want the 2 to be subscript. Select just the 2, apply the shortcut, and the rest of the text stays normal size. Press Enter or click outside the cell when you're done editing.

Using the Format Cells dialog

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work on your version of Excel, the Format Cells dialog is the reliable backup. Select the text or numbers inside the cell that you want to format (you may need to double-click the cell first to enter edit mode). Then press Ctrl + 1 on Windows or Cmd + 1 on Mac to open the Format Cells dialog.

Click the Font tab at the top. In the Effects section, you'll see a checkbox labeled Subscript — click it to turn it on. You'll see a preview of how the text will look at the bottom of the dialog. Click OK, and the formatting is applied. This method takes a few more clicks than the keyboard shortcut, but it's more visible and easier to undo if you change your mind.

The difference between subscript and superscript

Subscript makes text smaller and drops it below the baseline — use this for chemical formulas like H₂O or mathematical notation like x₁. Superscript makes text smaller and raises it above the baseline — use this for exponents like x² or footnote markers like ¹.

Both use the same methods. For superscript, press Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac. Or use Format > Cells, click the Font tab, and check the Superscript box instead. You can only apply one or the other to a selection — you cannot make the same text both subscript and superscript at once.

What happens when you copy or move subscript text

The subscript formatting stays with the text when you copy and paste it to another cell. If you copy a cell that contains "H₂O" with subscript formatting, paste it elsewhere, and the 2 will still be subscript in the new location. This is true whether you paste into the same sheet or a different sheet.

If you copy the cell and paste it as values only (using Paste Special), the formatting is lost and the text becomes normal size. The actual characters don't change — only the visual formatting disappears. If you need to keep the subscript formatting when sharing the file with someone else, make sure they open it in Excel or a compatible program that recognizes cell formatting.

Why subscript in formulas doesn't work the way you might expect

You cannot make a number subscript inside a formula. If you type =A₂ (with the 2 as subscript), Excel reads it as a regular formula reference to cell A2 — the subscript formatting is ignored. The formula bar always shows text in normal size, and subscript formatting only applies to the final displayed result in the cell.

This means if you need subscript for a calculation result, you have two options: either type the result as text (which means Excel won't use it in other formulas), or keep the number normal and format it as subscript for display only. For example, you could have the formula =2*3 in one cell, then in another cell type the result "6" as text and format it as subscript. The subscript version looks right but is no longer a number that formulas can use.

Removing subscript formatting

To remove subscript formatting, select the subscript text inside the cell and press Ctrl + Shift + B again (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + B again (Mac). The shortcut toggles the formatting on and off. Alternatively, open Format Cells with Ctrl + 1 or Cmd + 1, click the Font tab, uncheck the Subscript box, and click OK.

If you want to remove all formatting from a cell at once, select the cell and press Ctrl + M on Windows or Cmd + M on Mac. This clears subscript, superscript, bold, italic, color, and all other formatting in one step, leaving only the plain text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript in the formula bar?

No. The formula bar always displays text in normal size. Subscript formatting only works on the text displayed inside the cell itself. If you need subscript for a label or title, type it in the cell, not in the formula bar.

Does subscript formatting change the actual value of a number?

No. Subscript is purely visual formatting. If you type 2 and make it subscript, it's still the number 2 — Excel treats it the same way in calculations. The formatting only changes how it looks on screen.

What if the keyboard shortcut doesn't work?

Your version of Excel may use different shortcuts. Use the Format Cells dialog instead: press Ctrl + 1 (Windows) or Cmd + 1 (Mac), click the Font tab, check Subscript, and click OK. This method works on all versions.

Can I use subscript in a cell name or range name?

No. Cell names and range names must be plain text without formatting. Subscript only works on the content displayed inside cells, not on the names you assign to cells.

Does subscript work in Excel on iPad or phone?

Excel for iPad and iPhone have limited formatting options. You may not be able to apply subscript on mobile devices. Check the Format menu in your mobile app, but desktop Excel is the most reliable way to add and edit subscript formatting.