This article explains how to display a subscript character set of plain text using a computer or mobile device (smartphone or tablet). Typically a subscript is a series of numbers or characters that appear or print slightly below the line of normal text. It is very common to have the need to insert subscript text when working with mathematical equations or chemical formulas. If you are using a computer, most likely within the text editor you normally use there is a function that can automatically format the selected text as a subscript. If you are using a mobile device, you will need to use third-party software to insert the subscript text.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Use the Word Toolbar
Step 1. Open the Word document you want to edit
You can open an existing one or create a new document.
Step 2. Select the portion of the text you want to format as a subscript
Use the mouse to highlight the series of characters or text that should become a subscript note.
Step 3. Click on the Home tab of the Word ribbon
If you are using a different section of the toolbar, you will need to click on the tab Home visible at the top of the Word window.
Step 4. Click on the "Subscript" icon of the "Home" tab
It is characterized by the following symbology "X2"or" A2"and is placed next to the buttons to format the text as bold, italic or underlined.
- If you are using a Mac, press the key combination ⌘ Command ++ to directly convert the selected text as subscript within a Word document.
- If you are using a computer Windows, you will have to press the Ctrl ++ key combination to achieve the same result. The indicated key combination also works within other text editors, such as Block notes.
Method 2 of 6: Use the Word Font Window
Step 1. Open the Word document you want to edit
You can directly open an existing document or create a new one.
Step 2. Select the portion of the text you want to format as a subscript
Use the mouse or keyboard to highlight the series of characters or text that should become a subscript note.
Step 3. Press the key combination Ctrl + D (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + D (on Mac).
A new dialog box relating to the properties of the font used will appear.
Step 4. Select the check button
"Subscript" displayed in the "Character" window.
This way the selected text will be automatically formatted as a subscript.
Step 5. Click the OK button
The new text settings will be applied and the "Font" window will close. The text you selected will appear as a subscript.
Method 3 of 6: Use Google Docs
Step 1. Open the document you want to edit using Google Docs
You can choose to open an existing document or create a new one according to your needs.
Step 2. Select the portion of the text you want to format as a subscript
Use the mouse to highlight the series of characters or text that should become a subscript note.
Step 3. Click on the Format menu visible in the upper left of the window
It is located on the menu bar below the document name displayed in the upper left corner of the page.
Step 4. Place the mouse cursor on the Text item in the "Format" menu
A submenu will appear with a series of options inside.
Step 5. Select the Subscript item from the "Text" menu
The selected text will be automatically formatted as a subscript.
- If you are using a Mac, press the key combination ⌘ Command +, to directly convert the selected text as a subscript.
- If you are using a computer Windows, you will have to press the key combination Ctrl +, to get the same result.
Method 4 of 6: Using TextEdit on Mac
Step 1. Open the document you want to edit using TextEdit
You can directly open an existing document or create a new one.
Step 2. Select the portion of the text you want to format as a subscript
Use the mouse or keyboard to highlight the series of characters or text that should become a subscript note.
Step 3. Click on the Format menu
It's located on the menu bar that appears at the top of the Mac screen.
Step 4. Place the mouse cursor on the Font item in the "Format" menu
A submenu related to character formatting options will appear.
Step 5. Place the mouse cursor on the Baseline item of the "Font" menu
A submenu related to text formatting options will be shown on the screen.
Step 6. Select the Subscript item from the "Baseline" menu
The selected text will be automatically formatted as a subscript.
Method 5 of 6: Using an iOS Device
Step 1. Download the "Character Pad" app from the App Store
Search the Apple App Store using the program name, then press the blue button Get to install the app on your iPhone or iPad.
- This is a free third party app that allows you to copy and paste special characters into any text field.
- Alternatively, you can copy and paste the subscript-formatted text from a website like
- If you need help installing the app on your iOS device, please refer to this article for more information.
Step 2. Launch the Character Pad app on your device
It is characterized by an icon depicting the letter sigma " Σ"white placed on an orange background. You can find it on the Home of the device.
Step 3. Swipe left on the screen twice to reach the third screen of the application where subscript characters are displayed
Step 4. Tap the subscript character you want to use
It will be automatically copied to the system clipboard.
Step 5. Navigate to where you need to use the subscript text you just copied
You can paste it anywhere you can type text, for example in a message, note or web page.
Step 6. Keep your finger pressed on the text field in question
A list of options will be displayed enclosed within a toolbar positioned above the selected text field.
Step 7. Select the Paste option listed in the toolbar
The text you copied will be pasted to the point indicated as a subscript.
Method 6 of 6: Using an Android Device
Step 1. Download the "Engineering Keyboard" app from the Play Store
Search the Play Store using the app name, then press the green button Install to install it on your device.
- If you don't know how to download and install apps on your Android device, please refer to this article for more information.
- Once the installation is complete, you will need to enable the use of the new keyboard using the Settings app.
- This is a completely free third-party app that installs a new keyboard on the device. You can directly reach the Play Store page relating to the app in question using the following link:
- Alternatively, you can choose to use another keyboard that allows you to enter text as a subscript by downloading the corresponding app from the Play Store.
Step 2. Navigate to where you need to insert the text as a subscript
This could be a message, a text document, a note or any field that allows you to enter characters using the Engineering Keyboard.
Step 3. Select the Engineering Keyboard
Depending on the model of Android device you are using, you can perform this step using a combination of keys, the quick settings menu or the Settings app.
Read this article to find out how to use one of the keyboards installed on your Android device
Step 4. Tap the n icon for entering text as superscript or subscript displayed in the lower left part of the keyboard.
It is characterized by a white letter "" placed on a red background with two other small "n" displayed as superscript and subscript. It is located to the left of the space bar. The keyboard layout will change allowing you to insert characters as superscript or subscript of the text.
Step 5. Select the character you want to type
Scroll through the list that appears to be able to select the character you want to type as a subscript. The latter will be automatically inserted at the required point.
