You may be referring to many sources in your PowerPoint presentations. Typically, these are present in footnotes and require making the text superscript and subscript. You also need these when presenting mathematical formulae in your slides.
There are three ways you can do this:
- Using font effects
- Using keyboard shortcuts
- Using options in Quick Access Toolbar
Let us walk you through the quick and easy steps you can take to format your text as superscript and subscript in PowerPoint.
Method #1: Format Text as Superscript and Subscript using Font Effects
This method uses tools available in the ribbon under the Home tab.
Step #1: Open PowerPoint
Note: You can open a new slide in PowerPoint, or open an existing one. Here, we are opening an existing slide with some text in it.
Navigate to the slide where you want to change the text to superscript and subscript.
Step #2: Select the Text for Superscript
Select the text that you want to change to superscript.
Step #3: Open the Font Dialog
Click the Home tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Font, click the small arrow to expand the font dialog.
Step #4: Select the Superscript Option
The font dialog will open.
Under Effects, click to select the Superscript option.
Click the OK button at the bottom to close the font dialog.
The selected text will change to superscript.
Step #5: Select the text for Subscript
Select the text that you want to change to subscript.
Step #6: Open the Font Dialog
Click the Home tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Font, click the small arrow to expand the font dialog.
Step #7: Select the Subscript Option
The font dialog will open.
Under Effects, click to select the Subscript option.
Click the OK button at the bottom to close the font dialog.
The selected text will change to subscript.
Method #2: Format Text as Superscript and Subscript using Keyboard Shortcuts
This method uses keyboard shortcuts to change the text.
Step #1: Open PowerPoint
Note: You can open a new slide in PowerPoint, or open an existing one. Here, we are opening an existing slide with some text in it.
Navigate to the slide where you want to change the text to superscript and subscript.
Step #2: Select the Text for Superscript
Select the text that you want to change to superscript.
Step #3: Use Keyboard Shortcut for Superscript
Press the keys CTRL, SHIFT, and + together on your keyboard.
The selected text will change to superscript.
Step #4: Select the text for Subscript
Select the text that you want to change to subscript.
Step #5: Use Keyboard Shortcut for Subscript
Press the keys CTRL and + together on your keyboard.
The selected text will change to subscript.
Method #3: Format Text as Superscript and Subscript using Options in Quick Access Toolbar
This method uses options in the quick access toolbar to change the text.
Step #1: Open PowerPoint
Note: You can open a new slide in PowerPoint, or open an exiting one. Here, we are opening an existing slide with some text in it.
Navigate to the slide where you want to change the text to superscript and subscript.
Step #2: Add More Commands to the Quick Access Toolbar
Click the small arrow on the side of the Quick Access Toolbar.
A drop-down menu will appear.
Click the More Commands… tab.
A dialog box for customizing the Quick Access Toolbar will open.
Step #3: Add the Subscript Command
In the center panel, click the small triangle next to Popular Commands.
This will open a drop-down menu.
Click the All Commands tab.
Scroll down the center panel till you reach Subscript.
Click the Subscript tab.
Click the Add>> button.
The Subscript command will appear in the right-hand panel.
Step #4: Add the Superscript Command
Scroll down the center panel till you reach Superscript.
Click the Superscript tab.
Click the Add >> button.
The Superscript command will appear in the right-hand panel.
Click the OK tab at the bottom of the dialog to close it.
The Quick Access Toolbar now has both superscript and subscript commands.
Step #5: Select the Text for Superscript
Select the text that you want to change to superscript.
Step #6: Use Quick Access Toolbar Command for Superscript
Click the Superscript icon in the Quick Access Toolbar.
The selected text will change to superscript.
Step #7: Select the text for Subscript
Select the text that you want to change to subscript.
Step #8: Use Quick Access Toolbar Command for Subscript
Click the Subscript icon in the Quick Access Toolbar.
The selected text will change to subscript.
Conclusion
We have shown you three easy methods to format your text as superscript and subscript in PowerPoint. Use the method most suitable to your application. If you have any questions, place them in the comments box below.