Subscript and Superscript in Microsoft Word

5 Methods for Subscript in Word

Method 1: Home Ribbon

1. Select the characters to format (example: the 2 in H2O).
2. Open the Home tab.
3. In the Font group, click Subscript (x₂) or Superscript (x²).

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts

Select text first, then press the shortcut. This is the fastest method for frequent editing.

Method 3: Font Dialog

1. Select your text.
2. Press Ctrl + D (Windows) or open Format → Font (Mac).
3. Check Subscript or Superscript, then click OK.

Method 4: Insert Symbol

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, pick a subscript-style character if available, or use Unicode from the generator for consistent chemistry text.

Method 5: Paste Unicode CO₂, H₂O, x₁ from the Generator

Our tool creates real Unicode characters. That helps when you want the same symbols in Word, email, and WhatsApp without reformatting each time.

1. Open the Subscript Generator.
2. Type CO2, H2O, or exponents like x2.
3. Use Subscript or Superscript; for formulas use Formula + Numbers Only: On.
4. Copy and paste into Word.

Tip: In Word you can still apply bold or italic to Unicode subscript if your font supports it.

How to Insert Superscript in Word

Use the same tools with Superscript selected:

1. Home ribbon: click Superscript (x²) in the Font group.
2. Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + = (Windows) or ⌘ + Shift + = (Mac).
3. Font dialog: Ctrl + D → check Superscript → OK.
4. Generator: open our tool, choose Superscript, type x2 or 1 for footnotes, copy, paste.

Learn more: what is superscript · superscript copy paste.

Quick Answers

How do I write CO₂ in Word? Select the 2, click Subscript on the Home tab, or paste CO₂ from our generator.

Subscript shortcut not working? Make sure text is selected and you are not in a field that blocks shortcuts.

Related: Google Docs subscript · CO₂ and H₂O copy paste