Subscript puts text below the baseline of regular text

Subscript is a smaller character positioned below the line of regular text. The most common uses are chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical notation (x₂), and footnote markers. Most word processors and text editors have a built-in subscript button or keyboard shortcut that formats selected text instantly.

The method depends on what software you are using. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and most other programs follow similar steps, though the exact location of the button or the keyboard combination varies. If you are writing in a plain text editor or online form that does not support formatting, subscript may not be available.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript is created by selecting text and then clicking a subscript button or pressing a keyboard shortcut specific to your software.
  • In Microsoft Word, press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) after selecting the text you want to make subscript.
  • In Google Docs, go to Format menu, then Text, then Subscript.
  • Once text is subscript, you can undo it by selecting the text again and pressing the same shortcut or button a second time.

Subscript in Microsoft Word

Open your document and select the text or character you want to make subscript. Click and drag to highlight it, or double-click a single word. Then press Ctrl+= (equal sign) on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. The text will shrink and drop below the baseline immediately.

If you prefer using the menu, go to the Home tab, look for the Font group, and click the small arrow next to the font formatting options. A dialog box will open. Check the box labeled "Subscript" and click OK. To remove subscript, select the text again and press the same keyboard shortcut a second time, or uncheck the Subscript box.

Subscript in Google Docs

Highlight the text or character you want to format. Then click the Format menu at the top of the page. Select Text from the dropdown, then click Subscript. The text will format immediately.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+, (comma) on Windows or Cmd+, (comma) on Mac. To undo subscript, select the text again and use the same shortcut or menu path a second time.

Subscript in LibreOffice Writer

Select the text you want to make subscript. Press Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac. The text will format as subscript.

Alternatively, go to the Format menu, select Character, and click the Position tab. Choose Subscript from the dropdown and click OK. Press the same keyboard shortcut again to remove subscript formatting.

Subscript in plain text and online forms

Plain text editors like Notepad do not support subscript because they only store letters and numbers without formatting. If you need subscript in a plain text environment, you have limited options. Some online forums and messaging platforms use special code to create subscript — for example, surrounding text with tildes or brackets — but this varies by platform.

If you are filling out a form online and need subscript, check whether the form accepts rich text or HTML. Most web forms accept only plain text. In that case, you may need to type the subscript character as a regular character and note in a comment or separate field that it should be subscript. For chemical formulas or math, some platforms accept Unicode subscript characters (like ₂ for the number 2), which you can copy from a character map or Unicode reference.

Subscript vs. superscript

Subscript and superscript are opposites. Subscript drops text below the baseline; superscript raises it above. Superscript is used for exponents (2³), citations, and trademark symbols. The keyboard shortcuts are similar but different: in Word, superscript is Ctrl+Shift+= (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+= (Mac). In Google Docs, superscript is Ctrl+. (period) or Cmd+. (period).

Both formats shrink the text to about half the size of regular characters. If your document needs both subscript and superscript, apply them separately to different parts of the text.

Troubleshooting subscript formatting

If subscript is not working, check that you have actually selected the text before pressing the shortcut. A common mistake is pressing the shortcut without highlighting anything first — this can turn subscript mode on, so the next text you type will be subscript. Press the shortcut again to turn it off.

If you copied text from another document, the formatting may not carry over. Paste the text as plain text first (usually Ctrl+Shift+V or Cmd+Shift+V), then apply subscript formatting in your current document. If subscript is grayed out or unavailable in your menu, your document may be in a read-only mode or your software may not support it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript in email?

Most email clients do not support subscript in the message body. Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail accept bold, italic, and underline, but not subscript. If you need subscript in an email, create it in Word or Docs, take a screenshot, and attach the image, or paste the text with a note explaining which characters should be subscript.

Does subscript work in PowerPoint?

Yes. Select the text in your slide, then use the same keyboard shortcut as Word (Ctrl+= on Windows, Cmd+= on Mac) or go to Home, Font, and click the subscript button. The formatting will appear in your presentation.

What if I need subscript in a PDF?

Most PDF readers do not allow editing. If you need to add subscript to a PDF, convert it to Word or Google Docs first, make your changes, then save it back as a PDF. Some PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat Pro allow direct editing, but they follow the same subscript process as other programs.

Can I copy subscript text from one document to another?

Yes, if both documents are in the same program or compatible programs. Copy the subscript text normally (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C), then paste it (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V) into the new document. The subscript formatting usually carries over. If it does not, paste as plain text and reapply subscript in the new document.