Superscript in Excel (Table of Contents)
Introduction to Superscript in Excel
Superscript in excel is used to put the number or text in small fonts above the base numbers and text. It is like we are giving power raised to any base number as we do in mathematics. It is like using superscript to write the text in the square of base units or text such as Feet2, Meter2, etc. Likewise, we can superscript numbers as well such as 102 or 25. Superscript is not a function in excel. It is mainly made for MS Work which deals with text. To activate this, go to edit mode of any cell and select Format Cells from the right-click menu. And from there we can tick Superscript from Fonts tab.
Examples of Superscripts
X2, ab,2nd, sin2(30)
- X2 – Here superscript is ‘2’ which is a number for its previous character X.
- ab – Here superscript is ‘b’ which is a character for its previous character a.
- 2nd – Here superscript is ‘nd’ which is a string for its previous number 2.
- Sin2(30) – Here superscript is ‘2’ which is a number for its previous string ‘sin’.
Hope you all understand what is superscript. Let’s began how to do it in excel.
Steps to get a Superscript Text in Excel
It is very easy to input superscript text in Excel, follow these simple steps. Let’s try to input X2.
Input X2 in any of the cell where you required the superscript. Now select number 2 alone by clicking F2 and select 2 or double click on the cell and select 2 alone.
I am giving the screenshot for better understand.
Method #1
Once you select the number 2, right-click on the mouse a pop up will come as shown in the below picture.
From the popup menu select Format cells.
Then the “format cells” menu will appear.
From the menu “Font” we can select the required font for the superscript.
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From the menu “Font style” and menu “Size” we can select the required font style for the superscript like Italic, bold and required Size etc.
From the menu “Effects” we can select the option superscript.
After selecting the superscript select “ok” then you can find the number 2 will be on the top of X as a superscript of X.
Similarly, you can perform superscript text for other examples.
For your better understanding find the below screenshots for one more example.
Method #2
First, give the “2nd” in an excel cell.
Select “nd” alone and do a right-click. Then select “format cell” and then select “superscript” as marked.
The Result is:
How to Use Superscript in Excel?
This superscript and subscript feature helpful while working with Mathematically or scientifically related data.
We have few more ways to input superscript text in excel.
Superscript in Excel Example #1 -Through Quick access toolbar(QCT)
We can input superscript through QCT also. Here are the steps on how to do that.
For people who not aware quick access toolbar below is the screenshot.
Currently, we have “Save”, “Undo”, “Redo” hence we need to add “Superscript” option to QCT.
Click on the “File” menu the following dropdown menu will come. From that drop-down menu select “Options”.
When you click on the “Options” another screen will come as shown below.
From the above screen select “Quick Access Toolbar” which is highlighted left-hand side. We can observe there are multiple numbers of commands available in the rectangle screen. One can scroll select the required commands and click on “Add” to add to the QCT. As we required the Superscript command search for that, select superscript and click on Add.
Once you click on “add”, the superscript will move from left to right side QCT rectangular box.
And then click on the “Ok” button at the bottom the menu will close and will return to excel we are working.
Now we can observe the QCT there is an additional option visible that is x2 marked in the picture.
Now it is easy to input superscript just select the letter or text you want to convert as superscript and click on the X2 option in the Quick access toolbar.
If you want to remove superscript, just reselect the X2 command then it will be converted to normal text again.
Superscript in Excel Example #2 – Applying Superscript for number
Whatever the process we discussed up to now will not work for numbers i.e 25. you can try in both ways whether from QAT or from right-click. The movement you move from the cell it will convert to normal numbers.
To apply superscript for numbers, follow the below steps.
Click on the “Insert” at the top. If we observe the righthand side, we can observe the option” Equation” which is marked.
Click on the option “Equation” and then the menu changes to design.
Click on the “ex” option which is marked then the dropdown will come from that drop-down select the format for superscript which I marked in the below picture.
We can observe a pattern in the cell as shown in the below picture.
Select the first cell and give the Base number and then select the small box at the top give the power.
Superscript in Excel Example #3
Another way is when you click on the “Equation” it will take to the “design” menu. On the left-hand side, we can observe the “Ink Equation” option.
Once you click on “Ink Equation” another screen will pop up there you can write the required text manually using your mouse. Once your text is over click on “Insert” at the bottom of the box.
The Output is:
Superscript in Excel Example #4 – Superscript for multiple numbers at a time
Select the range of numbers that you want to give a similar superscript number. Let’s take the example of 5 numbers which we want to apply superscript 2.
Select all the 5 numbers.
Now right-click, a popup will come. From that popup choose format cells.
After that select “custom” at the bottom and select “zero” as marked in the picture.
Keep the cursor at zero.
Hold the ALT key and give the number 0178 than zero become zero square. Then click on “Ok”.
Now we can check the excel sheet, all the selected numbers have power 2.
Similarly, we can input superscript 1 and 3 also.
Shortcut for 1 is held ALT + 0185
Shortcut for 3 is held ALT+ 0179.
Shortcut for Superscript
If we want to input superscript text by a keyboard shortcut then it is very easy. Input the required text in the excel cell and select which you want to convert as superscript and then press the ALT button from the keyboard.
The superscript option on the Quick Access toolbar will highlight with a number as shown below:
Observe that number and click that number on the keyboard. Here it is 5 marked in the above picture for reference.
Things to Remember About the Superscript in Excel
Superscript is used in excel when input mathematical and scientific data. Superscript can input by multiple ways but those ways not suitable for a number format. Use the special process for numbers alone as discussed above. When an input for the number it will not give any results, it is just for representation purposes. Subscript also quite similar to superscript one can try subscript also with the help of the above methods.
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This has been a guide to a Superscript in Excel. Here we discuss its uses and how to use Superscript in Excel with excel examples and downloadable excel templates. You may also look at these useful functions in Excel –
