Subscript formats text smaller and positions it below the baseline

Subscript in Microsoft Word makes text appear smaller and sit below the line of regular text. The most common use is in chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical notation, and footnote references. Word has three ways to create subscript: a keyboard shortcut, a menu button, or the Format menu. The keyboard shortcut is fastest if you use subscript often.

All three methods work the same way: you select the text first, then apply the formatting. Word will not let you type subscript directly without selecting text beforehand. Once you apply subscript, pressing the shortcut or clicking the button again removes the formatting — subscript is a toggle command.

Key Takeaways

  • The keyboard shortcut for subscript in Word on Windows is Ctrl+= (hold Control and press the equals sign).
  • You must select the text first, then apply subscript — Word will not let you type subscript directly without selecting.
  • The Home tab in the ribbon contains subscript and superscript buttons if you prefer clicking over keyboard shortcuts.
  • Subscript and superscript are toggle commands, so pressing the shortcut again removes the formatting.
  • On Mac, the subscript shortcut is Command+= instead of Ctrl+=.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Windows

Select the text you want to make subscript by clicking and dragging across it. The text must be highlighted before you apply the formatting. Then hold Ctrl and press the equals sign (=). The text will shrink and drop below the baseline immediately.

To turn subscript off, select the subscript text again and press Ctrl+= a second time. The formatting toggles off and the text returns to normal size and position. This method is the fastest once you memorize the shortcut, and it works whether you are in the main document, inside a table, or inside a text box.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Mac

On a Mac, the process is identical except the modifier key is Command instead of Ctrl. Select your text by clicking and dragging across it, then hold Command and press the equals sign. The text becomes subscript immediately.

Press Command+= again to remove subscript formatting. The same toggle behavior applies — one press turns it on, another press turns it off. If you switch between Windows and Mac computers, remember that the only difference is Command on Mac versus Ctrl on Windows; the equals sign stays the same.

Using the Home tab ribbon buttons

If you prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts, the subscript button is on the Home tab. Select the text first. Then look in the Font group (the section with Bold, Italic, and Underline buttons). You will see an "x" with a small number below it — that is the subscript button. Click it once to apply subscript, click it again to remove it.

The superscript button (an "x" with a small number above it) sits right next to subscript. It is easy to click the wrong one, so double-check which button you are aiming for. The subscript button is always on the left, and the superscript button is always on the right. Both buttons work as toggles — clicking them a second time removes the formatting.

Using the Format menu

Select the text you want to format. Open the Format menu at the top of the window. Click "Text" and then "Subscript" from the dropdown. This route takes more clicks than the keyboard shortcut or ribbon button, but it works the same way and produces identical results.

The Format menu method is useful if you cannot remember the keyboard shortcut or if you are using a shared computer where you are not sure where the ribbon buttons are located. Like the other methods, you can use this route to toggle subscript off by selecting the subscript text and repeating the same menu steps.

Subscript in tables, text boxes, and special locations

Subscript works the same way inside tables and text boxes as it does in regular document text. Select the text, apply the shortcut or button, and it formats. If the text does not appear to change, check that the font size is large enough to show the difference — very small text may not display subscript visibly on screen, though it will print correctly.

Subscript also works in headers, footers, and comments. The keyboard shortcut and ribbon buttons function identically in these locations. If you are working in a header or footer and the subscript does not appear to work, make sure you have actually clicked inside the header or footer area to place your cursor there before selecting text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type subscript without selecting text first?

No. Word requires you to select text before applying subscript. If you want subscript as you type, type the text in regular format first, then go back and select it, then apply the formatting. Some users find it faster to type everything, then format all subscript at once.

What is the difference between subscript and superscript?

Subscript sits below the baseline (like H₂O). Superscript sits above the baseline (like E=mc²). The keyboard shortcut for superscript on Windows is Ctrl+Shift+=. On Mac it is Command+Shift+=.

Does subscript work in all fonts?

Subscript works in all fonts, but the effect is most visible in larger text. In very small fonts, subscript may be hard to see on screen. Print a test page to check how it looks in your final document before you submit or share it.

Can I undo subscript formatting?

Yes. Select the subscript text and press the keyboard shortcut again, or click the subscript button again. The formatting toggles off and the text returns to normal. You can also use Ctrl+Z to undo the last action if you change your mind immediately.

Why does my subscript text look the same size as regular text?

If the text is very small to begin with, subscript may not be visually obvious on screen. Subscript is still applied — it will show correctly when you print or export the document. Try zooming in on the document to see the subscript more clearly, or increase the overall font size of that section.