How to Subscript in Word, Excel,Google Docs, & PowerPoint (With Shortcuts)
Subscript is text that sits slightly below the normal text line (and usually looks smaller). You’ll see it in things like H₂O, CO₂, and math/science notes.
This guide gives you the fastest shortcuts first, then the menu method, and finally a way to insert real subscript characters you can copy/paste (like ₀ ₁ ₂).
You’ll learn how to turn subscript on and off again in Word, Google Docs, Excel, and PowerPoint—on both Windows and Mac.
1-Minute Answer (fastest method per app)
- Word (Windows): Highlight text → Ctrl + = (press again to turn off)
- Word (Mac): Highlight text → ⌘ + = (Word 2016 and later) / ⌘ + – (Word 2011)
- Google Docs (Windows): Highlight text → Ctrl + , (press again to turn off)
- Google Docs (Mac): Highlight text → ⌘ + , (press again to turn off)
- PowerPoint (Windows): Highlight text → Ctrl + = (press again to turn off)
- PowerPoint (Mac): Highlight text → ⌘ + = (press again to turn off)
- Excel (Windows & Mac): No built-in shortcut. Use Format Cells inside the cell (steps below)
Details below for each app.
Quick Help Table (Subscript Shortcuts Across Apps)
| App | Windows shortcut | Mac shortcut | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word | Ctrl + = | ⌘ + = (Word 2016+) / ⌘ + – (Word 2011) | Toggles subscript on/off. If no text is selected, Word can switch into subscript typing mode. |
| Google Docs | Ctrl + , | ⌘ + , | Works on highlighted text only (doesn’t switch typing mode). Toggles on/off. |
| PowerPoint | Ctrl + = | ⌘ + = | Same shortcut as Word. Works inside a text box/shape. |
| Excel | No built-in shortcut | No shortcut | Use Format Cells (Ctrl + 1 / ⌘ + 1) while editing a cell. |
📝 Note: In Excel, formatting text as subscript requires a few extra steps through menus, but we’ll show you how in its section.
Formatted subscript vs “real” subscript characters (important)
There are two different things people mean by “subscript”:
- Formatted subscript (toggle on/off)
This is what Word/Docs/PowerPoint do when you apply the Subscript style. It depends on formatting. - Real subscript characters (copy/paste)
These are actual Unicode characters like ₂ and ₉. They stay subscript even when you paste them into places that don’t support formatting (but not every font supports every character).
You’ll use formatted subscript most of the time in documents, and real subscript characters when you need a quick copy/paste option.
🅰️ How to Subscript in Word (Windows & Mac)
There are several ways to type or apply subscript formatting in Microsoft Word. Whether you’re using a keyboard shortcut, formatting button, or inserting special symbols, here’s how to do it:
✅ Method 1: Use the Subscript Shortcut in Word
Windows:
- Highlight the text you want to subscript (e.g., the “2” in H2O).
- Press Ctrl + =
- Press the same shortcut again to toggle subscript off.
Mac (Word 2016 and later):
- Highlight the text → Press Command (⌘) + =
Mac (Word 2011):