How to do Superscript in Google Docs

Last Updated : 13 Mar, 2026

Superscript in Google Docs is a formatting style where characters appear smaller and slightly above the regular line of text. It is commonly used in mathematical expressions, scientific notations, and footnotes to make documents clearer and more professional.

Superscript Example in Google Docs

This is the demonstration of Superscript GeeksforGeeks. Here GeeksforGeeks is Superscripted.

How to Add Superscript in Google Docs

Follow the steps given below to know how to add a superscript in Google Docs:

Step 1: Open Google Docs

Launch Google Docs in the web browser.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Open Google Docs

Step 2: Open the Document

Now, open the document in which we need to add Superscript for the text. We can also create a new document and add text and then Superscript the content whichever we need.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Open Document

Step 3: Select the Text to Superscript

Now, select the text which you want to be superscript.

In the below example we have selected Copyright Symbol that we will Superscript in next step

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Select Text

Step 4: Go to the Format Tab

Once you've chosen the content in the document where you want to apply Superscript, go to the Format tab on the top panel.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Go to format

Step 5: Select Text and Click on Superscript

Following that, when you click on the Format tab, a dropdown menu will be revealed. Within this menu, select "Text." Once you've chosen the Text option, a subsequent dropdown menu will appear. In this secondary menu, opt for "Superscript."

Keyboard Shortcut for Superscript in Windows: Select the text to superscript and press "Ctrl" + "." (Period)

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Select Superscript

Step 6: Superscript added successfully

Upon selecting the "Superscript" option, the text you picked in Step 3 will be transformed into superscript, easily distinguishable in your document as it appears above the regular text.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Superscript added

Keyboard Shortcut for Superscript in Google Docs

Superscript is a powerful formatting tool in Google Docs, ideal for writing exponents, mathematical equations, or scientific notations. It adds a professional touch to your documents and ensures your text stands out when precision matters. Below, discover the keyboard shortcuts to quickly apply superscript formatting.

Step 1: Open Google Document

Open the document in which we need to use superscript with the keyboard shortcut.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Opening Document

Step 2: Enter the Text or Numerical Value

Now, enter the character or Numerical value that will be the base of our exponent.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Entering Base Text

Step 3: Press "Ctrl+ Period (.)" on Windows and "Cmd+ Period (.)" on Mac

Applying exponent formatting is quick and easy with keyboard shortcuts. If you're using a Windows machine, press Ctrl + Period (Ctrl + .) to format the text as an exponent. On a Mac, use Cmd + Period (Cmd + .) for the same result. These shortcuts help you quickly create superscript text in documents or equations, saving time and effort.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Using Shortcut and Entering Exponent

Step 4: Preview Supercript Text

By employing this shortcut, you can effortlessly input the exponent without the need for manual steps. To deactivate the superscript formatting, simply utilize the shortcut again to toggle off the superscript mode.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Superscript added and normal text typed

How to Apply Superscripts to Mathematical Equations in Google Docs

Follow the steps given below to know how to type superscript in Google docs:

Step 1: Open the Document

Open the document in which you need to type exponents in Google Docs using Mathematical Equations.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Opening the Document

Step 2: Click on Insert Tab

After opening the document, we ned to click on the Insert Tab which is placed on the top corner the editing space.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Clicking on Insert Tab

Step 3: Select Equations

Within the options available in the Insert Tab, our objective is to locate and click on the "Equations" option.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Selecting Equations Option

Step 4: Select Math Operations

Once you've clicked on "Equations," a panel will appear below the Insert Tab. From this panel, you should select the "Math Operations" option.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Selecting Math Operations

Step 5: Select xb Equation

In the Math operations, there are different types of operations, so from this we need to select xb Equation.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Select xb Equation

Step 6: Enter Base Text

Now, we need to enter the base text. In below screenshot, you can see that we have enetered the base text as "X".

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Entering Base Text

Step 7: Enter Superscript Text

Now, using the "Shift + ^" key on the keybard, we need to enter the superscript text. In the below screenshot, you can see that we have entered "a" as the superscript text.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Entering Superscript Text

How to do Subscript in Google Docs Using Special Characters

Follow the steps given below to learn how to type superscript in Google Docs:

Step 1: Open the Document

Open the document in which you need to type exponents in Google Docs using Special Characters.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Opening the Document

Step 2: Enter the Base Text or Numerical Value

Now, enter the character or numerical value that will be the base of our exponent.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Entering Base Text

Step 3: Go to Insert Tab

After entering the base text, click on the Insert tab that is on the top of the editing space.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Clicking on Insert Tab

Step 4: Select Special Characters

From the list of sub-options, select the option as Special Characters.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Selecting the Special Characters option

Step 5: Select Symbol and Superscript

Now, from the drop-down list, we need to select the options Symbol and Superscript which are given in the below screenshot.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Selecting Symbol and Superscript in Dropdown

Step 6: Select any Superscript Character

Among the various characters available, you can choose any one of the superscript characters to apply.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Selecting Special Character

Step 7: Preview Special Character Inserted

After selecting and clicking the character. It will get inserted into our text. In the below screenshot, you can see that, we have selected one of the special characters and it is applied in our document.

How to do Superscript in Google Docs
Special Character Inserted
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