Subscript in Excel

Subscript in Excel (Table of Contents)

• Subscript in Excel
• How to Add Subscript icon to QAT?
• How to Use Subscript in Excel?

Introduction to Subscript in Excel

Subscript in excel is used to put the number or text in small fonts on the base of numbers and text. Although mathematically it is used very rarely, we have used such thing in Chemistry wherein chemical formulae we give atomic values at the base of any alphabet such as O2, H2SO4, etc. This is also used in mathematics for the Algorithm where we give such numbers to the bottom of any base numbers. Subscript can be used from the right-click menu’s Format Cells option. There go to the Font tab and tick Subscript to use.

• Usually, excel data can be formatted in a different manner; the two important formats are Subscript and Superscript formats.
• Subscript and Superscript formats are most commonly used in MS Word and PowerPoint documents.
• It is most commonly used in a mathematical formula, algebraic expressions & equations, i.e., writing number base value OR bases like 49_7, whereas, in chemistry, it is used in the specification of chemical substance or compounds. i.e. chemical formulas such as butane C₂H_5, C₆H_6, NO₂, and various other formulas. These mathematical & chemical equations require a Subscript format for a better visual appearance.
• The subscript is also used to differentiate between different types of subatomic particles. i.e. electron, muon, and tau neutrinos which are denoted as ν_e, ν_μ and ν_τ.
• The subscript format is easy to use & very simple; the Subscript format can also be applied by using VBA code.

Definition

Subscript: It is a small character or string that fits or sits just below the line of text.

e.g. Appearance of the Subscript format: TABLE₁

Usually, it is very smaller in size than the normal text value & visible below the baseline.

Shortcut Key or keyboard shortcut for a Subscript format in Excel

This is carried out with the help of a couple of key combinations i.e.

Ctrl + 1, then Alt + B, and then Enter

The above shortcut key is not pressed simultaneously; the below-mentioned process does it.

• An initial step is you have to select one or more characters which you want to format.
• Then Press Ctrl + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog box.
• Once the Format Cells dialog box appears, then press or click on Alt + B to select Subscript.
• Then, In the final step, hit the Enter key to apply the formatting and close the dialog box.

How to Add Subscript icon to Quick Access Toolbar (Qat)?

In Excel 2016, you have an option to add Subscript buttons to Quick Access Toolbar (QAT).

To set up this, we have to follow the below-mentioned steps

• You have to click the down arrow next to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) on the upper left corner of the Excel window and select More Commands options from the pop-up menu.

• Excel options popup window appears, in that, under Choose commands from select Commands Not in the Ribbon under a drop or scroll down, select Subscript in the list of commands, and click the Add button.

• At last, click OK to save the changes.

Once applied, you can see the change in the Quick Access Toolbar button at the top left corner, where it enables you to use the subscript format in Excel 2016 with a single key option.

How to Use Subscript in Excel?

This Subscript Function is very simple easy to use. Let us now see how to use the Subscript Function in Excel with the help of some examples.

Example #1

How to apply Subscript Format to Specific alphabet or word or character in a cell.

In the below-mentioned cell, “B4” contains a text value, i.e. TABLE1

Here in that text value, only for the last alphabet, i.e. 1, I have to apply a SUBSCRIPT format to 1.

Click on cell “B4” press the F2 key so that the text value in cell B4 text get in to edit mode.

In the mouse, select only the last alphabet, i.e. 1

Open a format cell dialog box by clicking or pressing ctrl+1 or right-click in mouse and select format cells option in it.

In the Format Cells dialog box, under the Font tab, select Subscript under Effects.

At last, Click OK to save the change and close the dialog box.

The selected alphabet, i.e. 1, will be subscripted in cell “B4.”

Here visual changes or representation can be seen in the text value of a cell, i.e. TABLE₁

Example #2

How To Apply Subscript Format To The Whole Cell Text

In the below-mentioned cell, “B16” contains the word or text value, i.e. Electron

Here in that text value, I have to apply a Subscript format to the entire whole cell text.

Click on cell “B16” press the F2 key so that the text value in cell B16 text get in to edit mode.

In the mouse, select complete text.

Open a format cell dialog box by clicking or pressing ctrl+1 or right-click in mouse and select format cells option in it.

In the Format Cells dialog box, under the Font tab, select the Subscript option under Effects.

At last, Click OK to save the change and close the dialog box.

The whole text in cell “B16” will get converted to a subscript format.

Here visual changes or representation can be seen in the text value of a cell, i.e. _Electron.

Removal of Superscript Format in a cell

• To remove superscripts, you have to simply select the cell format; in the Format Cells dialog box, under the Font tab, uncheck or untick the Subscript option under Effects or set the cell format back to General.
• In Microsoft Excel, there is no option, or it does not provide any shortcuts or character codes to insert subscripted text or number.
• The subscript option can also be applied to a numeric value, i.e. when you present an equation or a formula in numeric value.

Things to Remember About Subscript Function in Excel

• Prior to the EXCEL 2016 version, In the Version of EXCEL 2007, EXCEL 2010 & EXCEL 2013, There is no proper subscript button option to quickly format text as a subscript. The text value can be formatted only in a word document as a subscript with the subscript button.

• Prior to applying subscript format, ensure to convert the cell to text values if it contains a number or formula.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to a Subscript in Excel. Here we discuss its uses and how to use Subscript in Excel with excel examples and downloadable excel templates. You may also look at these useful functions in Excel –

1. RATE Function in MS Excel
2. AGGREGATE Function in Excel
3. Excel Match Function
4. VBA Subscript out of Range