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How to Add Superscript and Subscript in PowerPoint

Superscript and subscript in PowerPoint keep formulas, citations, and chemical symbols easy to read. Use this concise walkthrough whenever you wonder how to superscript in PowerPoint, how to insert superscript in PowerPoint on Windows or Mac, or how to add subscript in PowerPoint without wrecking your slide layout.

We cover the essential PowerPoint superscript shortcut, every subscript shortcut PowerPoint offers, and the quick menus that mirror the experience in our Word and Excel guides.

Quick Reference: Superscript & Subscript Shortcuts in PPT

Memorize these shortcuts so you can answer “how to do superscript in PowerPoint” or “how to subscript in PowerPoint” in seconds.

Superscript (Windows & Mac)

  • Ctrl + Shift + + — Windows PowerPoint superscript shortcut
  • Cmd + Shift + + — Mac superscript shortcut PowerPoint uses
  • Home → Font → X² button
  • Right-click text → Font → check Superscript

Subscript (Windows & Mac)

  • Ctrl + = — Windows subscript shortcut PowerPoint recognizes
  • Cmd + = — Mac shortcut for subscript in PowerPoint
  • Home → Font → X₂ button
  • Right-click text → Font → check Subscript

Method 1: Use the Ribbon Controls

How to Insert Superscript in PowerPoint

  1. Select the text or number you want to raise.
  2. Go to the Home tab and find the Font group.
  3. Click the X² icon to apply superscript formatting.
  4. Click the icon again (or press Ctrl + Space) to return to normal text.

Tip: Toggle the X² button before typing to keep multiple characters in superscript, perfect for footnotes or exponents.

How to Add Subscript in PowerPoint

  1. Select the character you need to drop, such as the “2” in H₂O.
  2. Stay on Home → Font and click the X₂ button.
  3. Type your formula or paste text while subscript remains active.
  4. Click X₂ again to exit subscript mode.

This ribbon workflow keeps subscript in PowerPoint aligned with titles, captions, and charts.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Slides

Keyboard combos answer how to type superscript in PowerPoint or how to enter subscript in PowerPoint when you are editing dozens of bullets.

Superscript Shortcut

Ctrl+Shift++

Press all three keys on Windows to trigger the default PowerPoint superscript shortcut for x², 10³, and footnotes.

On macOS, press Cmd + Shift + + to achieve the same result.

Subscript Shortcut

Ctrl+=

Hold both keys together on Windows for the subscript shortcut PowerPoint uses in chemistry and data labels.

On Mac, press Cmd + = to drop characters below the baseline.

How to Use These Shortcuts

  1. Select existing text or place the cursor where superscript in PowerPoint should start.
  2. Press the superscript or subscript shortcut.
  3. Type the exponent, footnote marker, or chemical symbol.
  4. Press the shortcut again to return to normal formatting.

These hotkeys rank among the most reliable answers to “shortcut for superscript in PowerPoint” and “shortcut subscript PowerPoint presenters use.”

Method 3: Fine-Tune with the Font Dialog

When you need precise control, the Font dialog explains how to make superscript in PowerPoint or how to write subscript and superscript in PowerPoint with offset adjustments.

  1. Select the characters that should change.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + F (or Cmd + T on Mac) or right-click and choose Font.
  3. Enable Superscript or Subscript under Effects.
  4. Adjust Offset or Scaling if you want tighter spacing for superscript PPT or subscript PPT text.
  5. Click OK to confirm.

Pro tip: Save the formatted text as a Quick Style so recurring slides with superscript and subscript in PowerPoint stay consistent.

Practical Examples for Superscript PowerPoint & Subscript PowerPoint

Use these samples any time you need to explain how to make superscript in PPT or how to put subscript in PowerPoint without breaking the layout.

Equations & Footnotes

Superscript in PowerPoint for squared variablesx²
Superscript PowerPoint exponent example10³
Superscript shortcut in PowerPoint for footnotesText¹

Science & Data Labels

Subscript in PowerPoint for water moleculesH₂O
Subscript PowerPoint example for CO₂ emissionsCO₂
Subscript and superscript in PowerPoint for acid formulasH₂SO₄

Quick Practice: x²

  1. Type x2 in a text box.
  2. Select just the 2.
  3. Press the PowerPoint superscript shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + + or Cmd + Shift + +).
  4. Confirm the 2 becomes the superscript you expect.

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Paste the ready-made superscript PowerPoint characters or subscript PowerPoint strings on any platform and keep the formatting intact.

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Troubleshooting

PowerPoint Superscript Shortcut Not Working

  • Check if your keyboard needs the Fn key to access + or =.
  • Switch back to Normal view; shortcuts are limited in Slide Master mode.
  • Use the ribbon buttons or Font dialog as a fallback method.
  • Restart PowerPoint or apply the latest Microsoft 365 updates.

Formatting Disappears After Copying

  • Choose “Keep Text Only” when pasting into other apps.
  • Use Unicode characters generated by our tool to preserve superscript and subscript outside PowerPoint.
  • Embed fonts via File → Options → Save → Embed fonts before sharing the deck.
  • Export to PDF for guaranteed cross-platform formatting.

Wrap-Up

You now know how to add superscript in PowerPoint, how to do subscript in PowerPoint, and the fastest ways to toggle each style. Mix shortcuts, ribbon tools, and the Font dialog to keep superscript and subscript in PowerPoint accurate on every slide.

For cross-platform text, bookmark our superscript generator and subscript generator so you can paste formatted characters anywhere.