You’re here because you need to make a superscript (or subscript) in PowerPoint.

You’re not alone—the average PowerPoint user doesn’t know all the formatting tips and tricks off-hand. But have no fear, making numbers appear smaller and aligned above or below of the rest of the text PowerPoint slides or any Microsoft 365 application is easy, and this article will show you how. Keep reading to learn how to make a superscript or jump ahead to subscripts.

Subscript and Superscript in PowerPoint

Keep reading to learn how to make a superscript or jump ahead to subscripts.

Superscript in PowerPoint

Superscript is text a formatting style that makes text smaller and aligned higher than the regularly-formatted text in your PowerPoint slides. It is most commonly used in mathematical equations and scientific formulas (like exponents, e.g. X²), so this information will be useful for anyone who needs to include those kinds of things in their presentations. Without further ado, here’s how to do it:

Still a little confused? Read on for a detailed tutorial and steps on how to create subscripts.

1. Place your cursor where you want the superscript to go

Put your cursor in the exact place where you want to type your superscript.

2. Click on the Superscript (X²) button

Make sure you are in the “Home” menu, then click on the Superscript button labeled X² near the top right of your window. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut—just hit ctrl, shift and + at the same time, and your cursor will be in superscript mode.

3. Type your superscript

Simply type any text you need for your superscript. It should appear as a superscript.

4. Click on the Superscript button again

In order to exit superscript mode and continue typing in your regular text format, click the Superscript button once more. You could also use the keyboard shortcut, ctrl, shift and + to exit superscript mode.

Subscript in PowerPoint

Like superscript, subscript is a formatting style often used in math and science to express formulas (like H₂0). The difference is that in subscript format, the text appears smaller and aligned below the baseline text (unlike superscript, which is aligned above). Follow these steps to format subscript text in PowerPoint.

1. Place your cursor where you want the subscript to go

Put your cursor in the exact place where you want to type your subscript.

2. Click on the Subscript (X₂) button

Make sure you are in the “Home” menu, then click on the Subscript button labeled X₂ near the top right of your window. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut—just hit ctrl and + at the same time, and your cursor will be in subscript mode.

3. Type your subscript

Simply type any text you need for your subscript. It will appear as a subscript.

4. Click on the Subscript button again

In order to exit subscript mode and continue typing in your regular text format, click the Subscript button once more. You could also use the keyboard shortcut, ctrl and + to exit subscript mode.

You have a new superpower

You now know how to format text into both a superscript and subscript in Microsoft PowerPoint. Try not to brag about it too much.

Want to learn how to do this in Microsoft Word too? Here’s how to type a subscript or superscript in Word.