How to Add Subscript in Word, Google Docs, and Other Programs

What subscript is and when you need it

Subscript is text that sits below the baseline of regular text, typically smaller and lower than the surrounding words. You use it for chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical notation (x₂), footnote markers, and some scientific measurements. Most word processors and text editors let you add subscript in seconds using a keyboard shortcut or menu option.

The method depends on which program you are using. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and Apple Pages all have subscript features, but the steps differ slightly. Some programs also let you create subscript in spreadsheets and presentations, though the process is the same.

Key Takeaways

In Microsoft Word, select the text and press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) to make it subscript.
In Google Docs, select the text, then go to Format > Text > Subscript from the menu.
LibreOffice Writer uses Format > Text > Subscript, and Apple Pages uses Format > Text > Baseline > Subscript.
Once you apply subscript, you can remove it by selecting the text again and using the same shortcut or menu option.
Subscript works in spreadsheets and presentations in most programs, though some formatting options may be limited.

Adding subscript in Microsoft Word

Select the character or characters you want to make subscript. Then press Ctrl+= on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. The text will shrink and drop below the baseline immediately. If you need to undo it, select the text again and press the same shortcut.

You can also use the menu: select your text, then go to Home > Subscript (the button looks like an "x" with a small number below it). In some versions of Word, this button may be in a dropdown under Font or Effects. If you use subscript often, you can add the button to your Quick Access Toolbar so it is always visible.

Word remembers subscript formatting when you copy and paste text, so if you paste subscript text into another part of your document, it stays subscript. If you want to remove the formatting, select the text and press Ctrl+= again, or click the Subscript button to toggle it off.

Adding subscript in Google Docs

Select the text you want to make subscript. Then click Format in the menu bar, select Text, and click Subscript. The text will immediately shrink and move below the baseline. Google Docs does not have a keyboard shortcut for subscript by default, but the menu route is fast once you know where it is.

To remove subscript, select the text again and go through the same menu path — clicking Subscript a second time turns it off. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+, (comma) on Windows or Cmd+, on Mac if you have enabled it in your settings, though this is not the default.

Adding subscript in LibreOffice Writer

Select the text and press Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac. The text will become subscript. Alternatively, go to Format in the menu, select Text, and click Subscript.

LibreOffice also lets you access subscript through the Format menu by selecting Character, then choosing Position and setting it to Subscript. This method gives you more control over the exact size and position if you need to adjust it, though the keyboard shortcut is usually faster for routine use.

Adding subscript in Apple Pages

Select the text you want to make subscript. Then click Format in the toolbar (or go to Format in the menu), select Text, then Baseline, and choose Subscript. The text will shrink and drop below the line.

Pages does not have a dedicated keyboard shortcut for subscript, so the menu is your main route. To remove subscript, select the text and go back through Format > Text > Baseline and choose Normal or Superscript if needed.

Using subscript in spreadsheets and presentations

Subscript works in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, and most presentation software, though the steps are the same as in word processors. In Excel, select the cell or text within the cell, then use Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac), or go to Home > Subscript. In Google Sheets, select the cell and use Format > Text > Subscript.

In PowerPoint, select the text in your slide and press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac). In Google Slides, use Format > Text > Subscript. Some spreadsheet programs may not display subscript in every view — for example, Google Sheets shows subscript in the editor but may render it differently in printed output, so test before printing.

Removing subscript and fixing mistakes

To remove subscript, select the text and use the same shortcut or menu option you used to apply it. In Word, press Ctrl+= again. In Google Docs, go to Format > Text > Subscript again. In most programs, subscript is a toggle — applying it twice returns the text to normal.

If you accidentally made the wrong text subscript, use Undo (Ctrl+Z on Windows, Cmd+Z on Mac) to revert immediately. Then select the correct text and apply subscript again. If you have already saved the document, select the wrong subscript text and remove it using the toggle method, then select the correct text and apply subscript.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript in plain text or email?

No. Plain text and most email programs do not support subscript formatting. If you need subscript in an email, use a word processor to write it, then copy and paste it into your email if your email client supports rich text formatting. Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all support subscript if you compose in rich text mode rather than plain text.

What is the difference between subscript and superscript?

Subscript sits below the baseline (like H₂O), while superscript sits above it (like E=mc²). The steps to apply them are nearly identical — most programs have a Superscript option right next to Subscript in the menu or a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+P in Word, for example).

Will subscript formatting stay if I save as PDF?

Yes. When you export or save a document as PDF from Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice, subscript formatting is preserved. The text will appear subscript in the PDF and in any program that opens it. However, if you copy subscript text from a PDF and paste it into another program, the formatting may not transfer.

Can I change the size of subscript text?

Most word processors automatically size subscript text proportionally smaller than the surrounding text. In Word and LibreOffice, you can manually adjust subscript size by selecting it and changing the font size, though this is rarely necessary. In Google Docs and Pages, subscript size is fixed and cannot be adjusted separately.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.