When writing chemical formulas or calculations, you may need to insert a superscript in your Excel spreadsheet.
Not sure how to do it? Don’t worry as there are several methods to insert a superscript. Here are 10 methods that you can use in your Excel workbook.
10 Methods of inserting a superscript in Microsoft Excel:
- Use the Font tab in Format Cells
- Use keyboard shortcuts
- Use the Superscript option
- Use the Equation option
- Use the Ink Equation option
- Use the Alt key
- Use the CHAR function
- Use the Custom option in the Number tab
- Use third-party websites
- Use Microsoft VBA code
Let us begin by looking at how each of these methods works.
Method #1: Use the Font Tab in Format Cells
You can change a text or number to a superscript by checking the superscript checkbox as a format option.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Select the text
In your cell, select the number or text to be made superscript. In our example, the number 2 is supposed to be the superscript.
Step #3: Select Format Cells
Right-click on this selected part.
A new menu will open.
Select Format Cells… from the list of options.
Step #4: Superscript checkbox
The Format Cells dialog box will open.
Under the Effects category, check the Superscript checkbox.
Step #5: Click OK
Once you’re done, click on the OK button.
You will now see that 2 has become a superscript.
Method #2: Use Keyboard Shortcuts
This method is like the previous method, but you use keyboard shortcuts.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Select the text or number to be made superscript
Select the part of the text or number that you want as a superscript. In our example, it is the 2.
Step #3: Press Ctrl + Shift + F
If you’re a Windows user, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F.
For Mac, press Cmd + Shift + F.
This will open the Format Cells dialog box.
Step #4: Press Alt + E
Now, press Alt + E.
This would automatically check the Superscript checkbox.
Step #5: Press Enter
Once you’re done, press Enter or click the OK button.
You can see that the 2 has changed to a superscript.
Method #3: Use the Superscript Option
The Superscript option is an icon that can be added to any ribbon for quick access. We will first explain how to change your ribbon to always show the Superscript icon. This will make it easier to access in future. Do this if you often have to change a text or number to a superscript.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Select Customize the Ribbon
Right-click anywhere on the ribbon and select the Customize the Ribbon option.
Step #3: Choose where to add the Superscript option
An Excel Options dialog box will open.
In the Main Tabs, select a tab where you want the Superscript option to appear.
For our example, the Insert tab is selected.
Step #4: Click on New group
Click on New group or an existing group.
This is where you will find the Superscript option.
For our example, we choose the New group option.
Step #5: Select the Superscript command
Now, choose the Superscript command on the left by clicking on it.
Step #6: Click the Add option
Once you select your command to be added, you can click the Add option.
Step #7: Select the text
Now, go to your Excel spreadsheet and select the part of the cell to be made into a superscript.
In our example, it is the 2.
Step #8: Click on Superscript
Go to the tab where you decided to add Superscript to the menu options.
In our example, it is the Insert tab.
Click on the Superscript icon.
You can see that the 2 has been changed to a superscript.
Method #4: Using the Equation Option
You can also use the Equation option to add a superscript. You first insert an equation box, select the type of equation and add data to it.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Insert an equation box
Click on the Insert tab in the main menu bar.
In the Insert ribbon, at the extreme right, you will find the Equation icon.
Double-click the Equation icon.
This will insert an equation box in your document, and the ribbon will change.
Step #3: Select Script and click on Superscript
In this new Equation ribbon, click on the Script icon.
A drop down menu will appear.
Select the first option, i.e., the Superscript option.
Step #4: Enter your data
You can see two boxes. Enter the data in the respective boxes.
Tip: Increase your font size to add data to the boxes, and then reduce the font size again once done.
You can now see your text or number with the superscript.
Method #5: Use the Ink Equation Option
You can also draw your Equation and Excel will convert it to text and insert it into your sheet.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Select Ink Equation
Click on the Insert tab in the main menu bar.
Click on the Equation drop-down, the small down arrow next to the Equation icon, for the submenu to open.
Select Ink Equation at the bottom.
Step #3: Draw your equation
The Math Input Control dialog box will open.
Here, you can draw what you want and Excel will convert it for you.
You can see that Excel has identified 2 as a subscript and kept it as such.
Step #4: Review and click on Insert
You can review if it is correct in the text box above the drawing space.
Confirm if it is right and click on the Insert button.
You can now see that the text has been inserted into your Excel sheet.
Method #6: Use the Alt Key
You can also use the Alt key to insert a superscript. However, you can only insert the numbers 1, 2, and 3 using this method.
Note:
- You can’t use the numerical row on top of your keyboard – you have to use the number pad on the right side of your keyboard.
- These shortcuts only work for Calibri and Arial fonts.
- In some versions of MS Excel and Office for Mac, this method will not work.
| Superscript Number | Alt Shortcut |
| 1 | Alt + 0185 |
| 2 | Alt + 0178 |
| 3 | Alt + 0179 |
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Select the position
Place the cursor where you want to insert the superscript.
Step #3: Enter the shortcut
Press and hold the Alt key.
While holding the Alt key, enter the number depending on what you want as a superscript.
In our example, we will be using Alt and 0185.
Step #4: Release the Alt key
After you enter the number, release the Alt key.
You will see the number is now formatted as a superscript.
Method #7: Use the CHAR Function
You can also use the CHAR function to insert a superscript into your Excel workbook. You can find the different superscript codes in this article.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Select a cell
Select a cell by clicking on it.
This is where you will be typing in your formula to insert a superscript.
You can confirm your choice by checking the Name box.
Step #3: Use the CHAR function
Enter the CHAR function.
For the superscript of 1, the code is 185. For other codes, you can refer to this article.
The function would be =CHAR(185). Replace 185 with the code of the superscript that you prefer.
After entering the formula, press Enter on your keyboard.
Step #4: Create a formula
With the above step, you will only see the superscript.
However, a superscript is usually concatenated with other text.
You can use the CHAR function inside the CONCATENATE function to do that.
The formula would be =CONCATENATE(“x”, CHAR(185)) where you replace x and 185 with the data you want.
Once you have entered the formula into the cell, and pressed enter on your keyboard, the Superscript will show.
Method #8: Use Third-Party Websites
Third-party websites can convert numbers or text to superscripts. Our pick for this method is Lingo Jam’s superscript generator.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Go to the third-party website
Go to Lingo Jam’s superscript website.
In the website’s interface text boxes, enter your text or number in the first box. Use the second text box to convert your number or text to a superscript.
Step #3: Enter the text
You can now enter your number or text in the first box.
You will see the superscript generated in the second text box.
Step #4: Copy the superscript
Select the superscript by clicking and dragging with your mouse.
Right-click and select Copy from the menu that opens.
Or, you can also press Ctrl and C on your keyboard. If you’re a Mac user, use Cmd and C.
Step #5: Paste the superscript
Go to the Excel spreadsheet and paste the superscript.
You can right-click and select Paste from the menu that opens. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V or Cmd + V if you’re a Mac user.
Method #9: Use the Custom Option in the Number Tab
If you want to insert the same superscript into many cells, you can use this method.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Select all the numbers
Select all the numbers for which you want to add the superscript by clicking and dragging your mouse over them.
Step #3: Click on the Format Cells option
Right-click on the selected data for a new menu to open.
Click on Format Cells….
Step #4: Select Custom
Under the Number tab, select the Custom option at the bottom.
Step #5: Enter the custom field
In the Type field, enter 0 and the superscript you desire.
For this, you can use the Alt key or you can copy-paste it from a third-party website as done in the previous method.
You will see the superscript in the list of options now.
Click on that option, and click on the OK button.
You will now see that the superscript has been added to all the numbers.
Method #10: Use Microsoft VBA code
In this method, we use Microsoft VBA code to change numbers to a superscript.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open an existing workbook if you have one. Otherwise, create a new workbook by clicking on Blank workbook.
Step #2: Open Visual Basic in your Excel workbook
In your Excel workbook, go to the Developer tab. Now, click on Visual Basic.
Step #2: Insert a new module
Once the Visual Basic for Applications dialog box is open, click on Insert.
Select Module.
Step #3: Copy-paste the code
Clicking on Module will open a Module dialog box.
Copy the below code up to End Sub and paste it into the Module dialog box.
Sub FindReplaceAsSuperscript()
Dim myRange As Range
Dim currCell As Range
Dim currString As String
Dim currChar As String
Dim i As Long
Set myRange = Selection
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
For Each currCell In myRange
currString = currCell.Value
For i = 1 To Len(currString)
currChar = Mid(currString, i, 1)
If currChar >= "0" And currChar <= "9" Then
currCell.Characters(i, 1).Font.Superscript = True
End If
Next
Next
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub
Sub FindReplaceAsSuperscript()
Dim myRange As Range
Dim currCell As Range
Dim currString As String
Dim currChar As String
Dim i As Long
Set myRange = Selection
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
For Each currCell In myRange
currString = currCell.Value
For i = 1 To Len(currString)
currChar = Mid(currString, i, 1)
If currChar >= “0” And currChar <= “9” Then
currCell.Characters(i, 1).Font.Superscript = True
End If
Next
Next
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub
Close the Visual Basic window.
Step #4: Select the cells
Select all the cells for which you want to add the superscript by clicking and dragging your mouse over them.
Note: This code changes all numerals to superscripts. This code will not work on text.
Step #5: Select the Macro
Under the Developer tab, click on Macros.
You can now see the Macro dialog box. Click on the sub name FindReplaceAsSuperscript.
Step #6: Click Run
Once you’ve selected the macro name, click on the Run button.
This will convert all numerals in the selected range to superscripts.
Conclusion
Can you believe it – no less than 10 different methods to use Superscript in Excel. You don’t have to struggle anymore to write mathematical or chemical formulas. Select whichever option works the best for you.