Add Superscript and Subscript in PowerPoint

07.24.21  •  #PowerPoint #Tips

Contents

Superscript means that the number or text is displayed above the normal text, e.g. m2.
Subscript numbers means that the number or text is displayed below the normal text, e.g. CO2.
If you want to add superscript or subscript in PowerPoint, there are several options.


Screenshot PowerPoint superscript number

We will show you three simple ways to do this.


How to write subscript in ppt via the font options

  1. First write your text and then select the part on which you want to add superscript or subscript.
  2. Then click on the bottom right corner of the "Home" tab in the font options.
  3. A dialogue box opens in which you can select "Superscript" or "Subscript".
  4. When you have selected an option click on "OK".
    Your text now appears superscript or subscript.

You can also quickly undo the whole thing by going back to the bottom right-hand corner of the font options and unchecking the box you previously set by clicking on it.

Screenshot add superscript PowerPoint via fonts option

Add superscript by inserting a symbol

  1. If you want to superscript a number in PowerPoint by inserting a symbol, first go to the "Insert" tab and click on "Symbol".
  2. Then select "(normal text)" from the font drop-down list and "Superscripts and Subscripts " from the Subset drop-down list.
  3. Then all you have to do is select the symbol you want and click on "Insert".
Screenshot add subscript PowerPoint by inserting a symbol

There are also many other symbols that could be useful for your presentation. Here, for example, you can read about how to insert a Check Mark in PowerPoint.

Keyboard shortcuts for superscript and subscript in PowerPoint

To superscript or subscript your text in PowerPoint as quickly as possible, there are also keyboard shortcuts you can use.


Action Shortcut
Superscript CTRL + Shift + Plus sign
Subscript CTRL + Plus sign
Reset to standard formatting CTRL + Spacebar

FAQ

How do I insert a superscript in PowerPoint?

To insert superscript in PowerPoint click on the bottom right corner of the "Home" tab in the font options. Then select "Superscript" in the dialogue box that opens.


What are shortcuts to add superscript in PowerPoint?

The shortcut to add superscript in PowerPoint is: CTRL + Shift + Plus sign


About the author

Helena Reitinger

Helena supports the SlideLizard team in marketing and design. She loves to express her creativity in texts and graphics.



Top blog articles
More posts

Quiz Ideas for your Presentation

How To Make an interactive Quiz in PowerPoint - Tutorial

LIZ AI Produktbild
LIZ AI - Autopilot for PowerPoint

Your existing systems. Automatically orchestrated and centrally connected.

LIZ AI connects directly with your enterprise systems and automatically turns data into presentations. Content is intelligently generated, updated, and visualised directly in PowerPoint. Presentations are created in the background, stay up to date at all times, and automatically match your corporate design - without manual effort.

Learn more about LIZ AI

The Glossary for Presentations & AI

Learning on Demand

Learning on demand is an approach in which learners access educational content whenever they choose, rather than following a fixed schedule. Content is typically available as pre-recorded videos, e-courses, or interactive modules accessible 24/7. This format suits self-directed learners and organizations that need training available across different time zones. It contrasts with synchronous learning, where all participants engage at the same time.

Learn more

Effect Options

Effect Options in PowerPoint allow presenters to customize how animations and transitions behave — including direction, timing, sequence, and the degree of motion applied. For example, a Fly In animation can be set to arrive from the left, right, top, or bottom. Effect Options give presenters precise control over the appearance and feel of animations without requiring advanced design skills, making it easy to fine-tune motion effects to match the tone and pacing of a presentation.

Learn more

Informal Communication

Informal communication is spontaneous, unstructured interaction between people that falls outside official organizational channels. It includes hallway conversations, team chat messages, lunch discussions, and impromptu calls. While informal communication is not planned or documented, it plays a vital role in organizational culture — building relationships, sharing tacit knowledge, and enabling faster problem-solving. In remote and hybrid workplaces, replicating the natural flow of informal communication has become an important design challenge.

Learn more

Virtual Audience

A virtual audience consist of people who join an event / a meeting / a presentation via an electronic device (computer or smartphone) over the Internet. Each member may be located in a different place while an event takes place. Virtual audiences are becoming increasingly important as the amount of events held online is rising.

Learn more