How to Superscript in Word: Shortcut + 2 Easy Steps

Adding superscript in Word takes seconds — for a maths equation, a footnote reference, or an ordinal number like 1^st — and you can learn how to apply text formatting in Word using the same Font group on the Home tab.

In this guide, you’ll learn what superscript is, how to apply it using the Ribbon button, how to use the keyboard shortcut, and how to remove it when you’re done.

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What Is Superscript in Word?

Superscript is a text formatting option that raises selected characters above the normal text baseline and reduces their size. It sits in the Font group on the Home tab and is represented by the X² icon.

Common uses include:

• Mathematical exponents and powers (X², 10³)
• Ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
• Footnote and endnote reference markers
• Scientific notation (6.02 × 10²³)
• Trademark and copyright symbols (™, ®)
• Academic and technical writing references

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How to Use Superscript in Word: Step-by-Step

There are two ways to apply superscript in Word: the Ribbon button and a keyboard shortcut. Both toggle the formatting on and off, so the same method removes it too.

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Method 1: How to Use Superscript in Word Using the Ribbon

This is the most straightforward method — ideal if you’re applying superscript occasionally and prefer clicking over keyboard shortcuts.

Steps:

1. Open your Word document.
2. Select the character or number you want to raise — for example, the “2” in X2.
3. Click the Home tab.
4. In the Font group, click the Superscript (X²) button.

👉 The selected character moves above the text baseline and reduces in size. The X² button in the Font group will appear highlighted, confirming the formatting is active.

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Method 2: How to Use Superscript in Word With the Keyboard Shortcut

If you’re formatting frequently — for example, typing an entire document with mathematical notation — the keyboard shortcut is much faster than reaching for the Ribbon each time.

Steps:

1. Select the text or character you want to format as superscript.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Plus.

👉 Word immediately raises the selected text above the baseline. The X² button in the Ribbon highlights to confirm the formatting is applied.

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Common Problems When Using Superscript in Word

Superscript Button Not Working

The button only applies formatting to selected text. If nothing is selected when you click X², subsequent characters you type will appear as superscript — click the button again to turn it off before continuing.

Keyboard Shortcut Not Working

Check three things: Word must be the active window, text must be selected, and no other application (such as a remote desktop tool or custom AutoHotKey script) must be intercepting the Ctrl + Shift + Plus combination.

Superscript Text Looks Too Small

This is by design. Word automatically reduces the font size of superscript characters so they fit above the baseline without increasing line height. If you need a larger raised character, increase the base font size first, then apply superscript.

Superscript Applied to Wrong Text

Use Ctrl + Z to undo immediately, re-select the correct characters, then reapply. Double-click a word to select it precisely, or click and drag to select individual characters — for more control over text selection, see the guide on bold, italic, and underline in Word.

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Pro Tips for Superscript in Word

• Superscript is a toggle. Pressing Ctrl + Shift + Plus a second time — or clicking X² again — removes the formatting without selecting any menu option.
• Subscript lives next door. The Subscript (X₂) button sits immediately beside the Superscript button in the Font group. Use it for chemical formulas like H₂O — for full formatting coverage, explore how to change font colour in Word to combine font styles in one document.
• Format as you type. Press Ctrl + Shift + Plus before typing your superscript character, type it, then press the shortcut again to return to normal text — no selection required.
• Clear all formatting if superscript gets stuck. Select the affected text and press Ctrl + Space to remove all manual character formatting, including superscript.

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FAQs

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Conclusion

Applying superscript in Word is straightforward: select your text and click the X² button on the Home tab, or press Ctrl + Shift + Plus for a faster keyboard-only workflow.

Both methods toggle the formatting on and off, so removing superscript is just as quick as applying it. For equations with multiple superscript characters, typing in superscript mode without pre-selecting text saves the most time.

Once you’re comfortable with character formatting, it’s worth exploring the wider range of font options available — see the full guide on how to change font size in Word to control how your text scales across headings and body copy.

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Related Tutorials

• How to Strikethrough in Word
• How to Change Letter Spacing in Word
• How to Change Font Colour in Word