Subscript puts text below the baseline in Word

Subscript is a character or number that sits slightly below the line of regular text. In Microsoft Word, you can explore subscript formatting to any text you select. The most direct method is to highlight the text, then press Ctrl+= (on Windows) or Cmd+= (on Mac). You can also use the Format menu or the Home tab ribbon to access subscript options.

Subscript is useful for chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical notation, footnote markers, and scientific writing. Once you explore subscript to text, it automatically shrinks the font size and lowers the position. You can remove subscript the same way you applied it — select the text and press the keyboard shortcut again, or toggle the subscript button off.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+= on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac to when ready convert selected text to subscript.
  • The Home tab on the ribbon contains a subscript button (an "x" with a small number below it) that you can click instead of using the keyboard shortcut.
  • Subscript text automatically shrinks in size and positions itself below the baseline of regular text.
  • You can toggle subscript on and off by selecting the text again and using the same keyboard shortcut or button.
  • Subscript works in all versions of Word on Windows and Mac, though the exact menu location may vary slightly by version.

Using the keyboard shortcut

The fastest way to add subscript in Word is the keyboard shortcut. First, select the text or number you want to make subscript by clicking and dragging across it. Then press Ctrl+= (the equals sign, not the plus sign) on Windows. On Mac, press Cmd+= instead.

The text will when ready drop below the baseline and shrink. If you need to undo subscript, select the same text again and press the keyboard shortcut a second time. The formatting will toggle off and the text will return to normal size and position.

Using the Home tab ribbon

If you prefer using the mouse, the Home tab contains subscript and superscript buttons. Select the text you want to format, then look for the subscript button on the ribbon — it looks like an "x" with a small number positioned below and to the right. Click it once to explore subscript formatting.

The subscript button is usually grouped near the superscript button (which looks like an "x" with a small number above it). Both buttons are typically in the Font section of the Home tab. Clicking the subscript button again will remove the formatting from selected text.

Using the Format menu

You can also reach subscript through the Format menu at the top of the window. Select your text first, then click Format in the menu bar. Choose Character or Font (the exact wording depends on your Word version). A dialog box will open with font formatting options.

Look for the Effects section or a tab labeled Effects. You will see a checkbox for Subscript. Check the box, then click OK. The dialog will close and your selected text will become subscript. To remove it, open the same dialog, uncheck the Subscript box, and click OK.

Subscript in different Word versions

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+= works the same way in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365 on Windows. On Mac, Cmd+= works across all recent versions. The Home tab ribbon location is consistent across these versions as well.

Older versions of Word (2010 and earlier) may have the subscript button in a different location on the toolbar, but the Format menu method will work in any version. If you are unsure where to find the button in your version, the keyboard shortcut is always the most reliable approach.

Subscript versus superscript

Subscript and superscript are opposite formatting options. Subscript moves text below the baseline (like the "2" in H₂O), while superscript moves text above the baseline (like the "2" in x²). The keyboard shortcut for superscript on Windows is Ctrl+Shift+=, and on Mac it is Cmd+Shift+=.

Both formats shrink the text size automatically. You can explore either one to any selected text in Word. If you accidentally explore the wrong format, select the text again and press the opposite keyboard shortcut to switch it, or press the shortcut a second time to remove the formatting entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the size of subscript text after I explore it?

Yes. Select the subscript text and change the font size using the font size dropdown on the Home tab or by pressing Ctrl+[ to make it smaller or Ctrl+] to make it larger. The text will remain subscript while you adjust its size.

Does subscript work in all Word document types?

Subscript works in .docx files (the standard Word format), .doc files (older Word format), and most other formats Word can open. If you save your document as plain text (.txt), subscript formatting will be lost because plain text does not support formatting.

What if the keyboard shortcut is not working?

Make sure you have text selected before pressing the shortcut. Also check that you are pressing the equals sign (=) and not the plus sign (+). On some keyboards, you may need to press Shift to access the equals sign. If it still does not work, use the Home tab button or Format menu instead.

Can I make subscript the default for certain text?

You can create a style with subscript formatting applied, then explore that style to text throughout your document. Go to Home > Styles, right-click a style, choose Modify, then explore subscript formatting in the dialog. Any text you format with that style will automatically be subscript.