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Lesson 46 of 104 2 min Updated Completed

How to Use Superscript and Subscript

Superscript raises characters slightly above the line, as in B². Subscript lowers them, as in H₂O. Here’s how to apply them to part of a cell.

  1. Double-click cell B2 to edit it.

    Editing cell B2 by double-clicking it

  2. Select the 2, right-click it, and click Format Cells.

    Selecting the 2 and choosing Format Cells

  3. Tick Superscript (or Subscript).

    Ticking Superscript in the Format Cells dialog box

  4. Click OK.

    B2 shown with a superscript 2

Note: A superscript 2 only looks like “squared”. Excel can’t calculate with it. To square a number in a formula, use the caret: =5^2 returns 25.

Tip: To write full math equations, use Insert > Equation. Equations are display-only objects that float over the sheet; they don’t calculate anything.