The superscript shortcut key in Word and PowerPoint is Ctrl + Shift + Plus, the plus key being the one with = on it. Select the text first, such as the 2 in x2, press the keys, and it rises above the line. Press them again to turn superscript off.
Subscript, the opposite, is Ctrl + =. Together these are the shortcut keys for subscript and superscript that science and maths students use for powers, chemical formulas and footnote marks.
Quick facts
Superscript
Ctrl + Shift + PlusSubscript
Ctrl + =Turn off
Press the same keys againExcel
Ctrl + 1, then Alt + ESquared sign
Alt + 0178 on the number padMac Word
Command + Shift + Plus
Superscript shortcut key by program
| Program | Superscript | Subscript |
|---|---|---|
| Word, Outlook | Ctrl + Shift + Plus | Ctrl + = |
| PowerPoint | Ctrl + Shift + Plus | Ctrl + = |
| Excel | Ctrl + 1, then Alt + E, Enter | Ctrl + 1, then Alt + B, Enter |
| Word for Mac | Command + Shift + Plus | Command + = |
How to use the superscript shortcut in Word
- Type the text normally, for example x2 or 1st.
- Select only the part to raise, the 2 or the st. Use Shift + Left to select from the keyboard.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Plus.
- Move the cursor on and press Ctrl + Shift + Plus again before typing more, so the rest of the line stays normal.
For subscript, such as the 2 in H2O, select it and press Ctrl + =. Its own guide is at subscript shortcut key.
Superscript in Excel
Excel has no direct key, but the keyboard route is quick. Double click the cell or press F2, select the characters to raise, bring up the cell formatting box with Ctrl + 1, then Alt + E to tick Superscript and Enter. Use Alt + B instead for subscript. This only works on text; a number with part raised becomes text and stops calculating, so keep it for labels such as m2 in a heading. The change shows in the cell but not in the formula bar, which always displays plain text.
Type squared and cubed signs directly
For the common powers there are ready made characters. Hold Alt and type 0178 on the number pad for squared, 0179 for cubed and 0185 for a raised 1. These work in almost every Windows program, including Excel cells that must stay as text, and do not need formatting. Laptops without a number pad can use the symbol panel with Win + ..
When the shortcut does not work
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Text becomes larger instead | You pressed Ctrl + Shift + >, which grows the font; use the = key |
| Nothing happens | Select the characters first |
| Whole line goes up | You turned it on before typing; press the keys again to switch off |
| Line spacing looks uneven | Raised text can push lines apart; that is normal with large fonts |
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut key for superscript?
What is the shortcut key for subscript and superscript?
Superscript Ctrl + Shift + Plus, subscript Ctrl + =.
How do I do superscript in Excel?
Select the characters, press Ctrl + 1, then Alt + E and Enter.
How do I type the squared sign?
Hold Alt and type 0178 on the number pad.
How do I turn superscript off?
Press the same keys again.