How To Add Subscript and Superscript In Google Sheets
In this article, I’ll guide you on how to incorporate subscript and superscript in your Google Sheets. Whether you need to write chemical formulas or mathematical equations, this feature will come in handy. Let’s get started!
Superscript and Subscript Google Sheets Template
Before we jump into the methods, let me introduce you to a free template that contains all the superscript and subscript characters along with their corresponding CHAR function equivalents. You can access the template here and make a copy for yourself by following these steps: File > Make a copy.
Superscript in Google Sheets
Currently, Google Sheets doesn’t have a built-in option to add superscript (or subscript) characters. However, we can employ some creative workarounds to achieve the desired effect. Let me explain two methods:
Method 1: Copy Paste Unicode Characters
- Visit the website Graphemica, an excellent resource for searching unicode characters.
- Instead of using numbers, search for the symbol you want by using words, for example, search for “superscript two” instead of “²”.
- Copy the result, such as “²” for superscript two.
- Paste the copied symbol into the formula bar of your Google Sheet.
- To add multiple superscripts, simply copy and paste them next to each other, for example, “¹²” for ¹².
You can find a list of superscript characters that you can copy and use in your Google Sheets:
| Character | Superscript |
|---|---|
| 0 | ⁰ |
| 1 | ¹ |
| 2 | ² |
| 3 | ³ |
| 4 | ⁴ |
| 5 | ⁵ |
| 6 | ⁶ |
| 7 | ⁷ |
| 8 | ⁸ |
| 9 | ⁹ |
| a | ᵃ |
| b | ᵇ |
| c | ᶜ |
| d | ͩ |
| e | ͤ |
| f | ᶠ |
| g | ᵍ |
| h | ͪ |
| i | ͥ |
| j | ʲ |
| k | ᵏ |
| l | ˡ |
| m | ͫ |
| n | ⁿ |
| o | ͦ |
| p | ᵖ |
| q | Not available (why?) |
| r | ͬ |
| s | ˢ |
| t | ͭ |
| u | ͧ |
| v | ͮ |
| w | ʷ |
| x | ˣ |
| y | ʸ |
| z | ᶻ |
| + | ⁺ |
| – | ⁻ |
| = | ⁼ |
| ( | ⁽ |
| ) | ⁾ |
Method 2: Create Superscripts in Google Sheets with the CHAR function
The CHAR function in Google Sheets converts a number into a character based on the Unicode table. It’s a fascinating function that allows you to add various decorative elements to your Sheets using formulas. However, in this case, we’ll focus on creating superscripts.
To create a superscript using the CHAR function, follow these steps:
- From the superscript two Graphemica page (mentioned in Method 1), copy the number portion of the HTML Entity (Decimal), indicated in red.
- Enter the following formula in your Google Sheet:
=CHAR(number)For example, if you want to create Einstein’s famous mass-energy formula, you can use the following formula:
=E=MC^2Here’s how it looks in Google Sheets:
Please note that you can embed the CHAR function within other formulas, just like any other function. For instance, you can create custom table headers in Google Sheets using text rotation.
Subscript in Google Sheets
Adding a subscript in Google Sheets is similar to adding a superscript. Let me guide you through the methods:
Method 1: Copy Paste Unicode Characters
- Search Graphemica for the desired subscript character.
- Copy and paste the subscript character directly into your Google Sheet.
Here are some subscript characters that you can readily use:
| Character | Subscript |
|---|---|
| 0 | ₀ |
| 1 | ₁ |
| 2 | ₂ |
| 3 | ₃ |
| 4 | ₄ |
| 5 | ₅ |
| 6 | ₆ |
| 7 | ₇ |
| 8 | ₈ |
| 9 | ₉ |
| a | ₐ |
| e | ₑ |
| i | ᵢ |
| o | ₒ |
| r | ᵣ |
| u | ᵤ |
| v | ᵥ |
| x | ₓ |
| y | ᵧ |
| + | ₊ |
| – | ₋ |
| = | ₌ |
| ( | ₍ |
| ) | ₎ |
Method 2: Subscript in Google Sheets Using the CHAR function
Similar to superscripts, you can use the CHAR function to create subscripts with ease. Here’s how:
- Refer to Graphemica for the desired subscript character and note down the number from the HTML Entity (Decimal).
- Combine the CHAR function with the desired number to create the subscript.
For example, let’s consider the chemical formula for water written as H₂O. Using the CHAR function, you can create the subscript for the number 2.
Here’s the formula you can use:
=CONCATENATE("H", CHAR(number), "O")The full formula for water is:
=H₂OHere’s how it looks in Google Sheets:
Let’s take a more complex example, the chemical compound sugar, which has the molecular formula C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁.
Last Resort: Font Size
As a last resort, you can imitate a subscript effect by manually adjusting the font size of the subscript digits in your text. For instance, setting the main text to font size 10 and the subscript to font size 6 will create a visually similar effect.
However, I don’t recommend this method as it can be tedious and less reliable. Use it only if you have no other option and require a unique subscript that can’t be found elsewhere.
That’s it! Now you know how to add subscript and superscript in Google Sheets. Have fun experimenting with different characters and formulas to enhance your Sheets’ visual appeal. For more detailed instructions, visit Mr Reviews.
