WWord Superscript Shortcut & Subscript Shortcut
Press Ctrl + Shift + + to toggle superscript in Word for Windows and Ctrl + Shift + - for subscript. On macOS, use ⌘ + Shift + + and ⌘ + Shift + -.
Superscript & Subscript Shortcut Cheatsheet
Stop guessing which keys raise or lower your text. This quick reference rounds up every superscript shortcut and subscript shortcut we cover inside the app-specific guides for Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.
Use it to memorize the keyboard shortcut for superscript, compare Windows vs. Mac hotkeys, and see where a direct shortcut does not exist.
Shortcut Key for Superscript and Subscript: At-a-Glance
| App | Windows / ChromeOS | macOS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word | Superscript: Ctrl + Shift + + Subscript: Ctrl + Shift + - | Superscript: ⌘ + Shift + + Subscript: ⌘ + Shift + - | Microsoft 365 desktop apps on Windows & Mac |
| Excel | Ctrl + 1 → Font → Superscript/Subscript | ⌘ + 1 → Font → Superscript/Subscript | No single hotkey; use Format Cells or Alt sequence |
| PowerPoint | Superscript: Ctrl + Shift + = Subscript: Ctrl + = | Superscript: ⌘ + Shift + = Subscript: ⌘ + = | Desktop PowerPoint shortcut keys |
| Google Docs | Superscript: Ctrl + . Subscript: Ctrl + , | Superscript: ⌘ + . Subscript: ⌘ + , | Available in the browser editor |
| Google Sheets | No dedicated superscript or subscript shortcut | Use Unicode characters, CHAR formulas, or our generator instead | |
| Google Slides | Superscript: Ctrl + . Subscript: Ctrl + , | Superscript: ⌘ + . Subscript: ⌘ + , | Same shortcuts as Docs inside Google Slides |
How to Trigger Each Superscript Shortcut
EExcel Superscript Shortcut Options
Excel does not ship with a single superscript hotkey. Use Ctrl + 1 (Windows) or ⌘ + 1 (Mac) to open Format Cells, then tick Superscript or Subscript under the Font tab.
Need a faster Windows sequence? Tap Alt, then H, F, N to reach the same dialog, select the checkbox, and press Enter.
PPowerPoint Superscript Shortcut & Subscript Hotkey
PowerPoint uses the same default shortcuts as Word: Ctrl + Shift + = for superscript and Ctrl + = for subscript on Windows, with ⌘ equivalents on Mac.
You can also open Format → Font from the ribbon (Alt, H, F, N) to access the checkboxes if keyboard toggles fail mid-presentation.
GDGoogle Docs Superscript Shortcut & Subscript Shortcut
On Google Docs, press Ctrl + . for superscript and Ctrl + , for subscript; Mac users swap Ctrl for ⌘. The commands appear under Format → Text if you prefer menus.
GSGoogle Sheets: No Keyboard Shortcut
Google Sheets does not provide a native superscript shortcut or subscript shortcut. Use Unicode characters, formulas like =CHAR(178), or copy text from our superscript generator when you need raised or lowered characters.
GSGoogle Slides Superscript Shortcut
Google Slides mirrors Google Docs: Ctrl + . (⌘ + . on Mac) toggles superscript, and Ctrl + , (⌘ + , on Mac) toggles subscript.
For one-off characters, open Insert → Special characters and search "superscript" or "subscript".
Copy Superscript & Subscript Without Memorizing Keys
Not near a keyboard shortcut? Generate Unicode superscript or subscript text and paste it into any app, including Word, Google Slides, or social posts.
Get the exact characters you need from our free tools, then focus on presenting—not formatting.
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