Why is the subscript shortcut not working in Word?

Select the characters first, make sure you are in the document body (not a field that blocks shortcuts), and try the Home ribbon buttons or Font dialog as a backup.

Should I use Word formatting or Unicode for chemistry formulas?

Use Word’s Subscript button when you stay inside Word. Use Unicode from the generator when you also need H₂O or CO₂ in email, chat, Docs, or slides without reformatting.

How do I add superscript in Word on Mac?

Select text and press ⌘ + Shift + =, or click Superscript (x²) on the Home tab. You can also paste Unicode superscript from the online generator.

Subscript in Word | Unicode Copy Paste

Q: How to subscript in Word?

Select the characters, then press Ctrl + = on Windows or Command + = on Mac. You can also click Subscript on the Home tab, or paste Unicode from the free subscript generator.

Q: What is the subscript shortcut in Word?

On Windows, select text and press Ctrl + = for subscript, or Ctrl + Shift + = for superscript. On Mac, use ⌘ + = and ⌘ + Shift + =.

Q: How do I write CO₂ in Word?

Select the 2, click Subscript on the Home tab, or paste Unicode CO₂ from the free Subscript Generator so the characters stay intact outside Word.

How to subscript in Word (5 methods)

Fastest: Select text, press Ctrl + = (subscript) or Ctrl + Shift + = (superscript) on Windows; on Mac use ⌘ + = / ⌘ + Shift + =. Or paste Unicode CO₂ / x² from our generator.

Published 2 May 2026 · Updated 29 August 2026

Subscript in Word works two ways: Ctrl+= formatting inside the file, or unicode copy paste so CO₂ survives when you move text elsewhere. Built-in styling is fast for homework; Unicode is safer when the same formula must leave Word.

Paste-break: Word’s Ctrl+= subscript often strips when you copy into Gmail, Google Docs, or WhatsApp. Unicode from a free paste tool keeps H₂O intact because each character is plain text, not hidden font styling.

When to use Word formatting vs Unicode

Stay in Word only: Use the Home ribbon or keyboard shortcuts. Fast for homework and reports.
Also need chat, email, Docs, or slides: Paste Unicode from the free Unicode paste tool so the same formula travels as plain text.
Mixed formulas (H₂O + x²): Generate each piece in the right mode, or use Formula mode on the tool, then paste into Word.

Copying between documents: If you format H₂O with Ctrl+= in Word and paste into another Word file, Gmail, or Google Docs, the subscript often strips and you get plain H2O. Unicode CO₂ from a paste tool keeps the formula intact because the characters travel as text, not Word font effects that other apps ignore.

5 Methods for Subscript in Word

Below are five reliable ways to type subscript in Word (and the matching superscript steps). Pick the method that matches how often you edit formulas.

Method 1: Home Ribbon

Type the formula in plain text first (example: H2O or CO2).
Select only the characters that should sit below the line (the 2).
Open the Home tab.
In the Font group, click Subscript (x₂). For powers, click Superscript (x²).

Click the same button again to turn formatting off before you keep typing normal text.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows and Mac)

The subscript shortcut in Word is what most people search for. Select the text first, then press:

Action	Windows	Mac
Subscript	Ctrl + =	⌘ + =
Superscript	Ctrl + Shift + =	⌘ + Shift + =
Open Font dialog	Ctrl + D	⌘ + D (or Format → Font)

Press the same shortcut again to return to normal text. If nothing happens, confirm the characters are selected and try Method 1 or 3.

Method 3: Font Dialog

Select your text.
Press Ctrl + D (Windows) or open Format → Font (Mac).
Under Effects, check Subscript or Superscript, then click OK.

Useful when ribbon icons are hidden on a small window, or when you want to combine effects (for example bold + subscript) in one place.

Method 4: Insert Symbol

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols. Some fonts include individual subscript-looking glyphs, but coverage is uneven. For chemistry (CO₂, H₂O, H₂SO₄) and math indices (x₁, x₂), Unicode paste from the generator is usually faster and more consistent than hunting symbols one by one.

Method 5: Unicode copy paste (CO₂, H₂O, x₁)

Our tool creates real Unicode characters for unicode copy paste into Word and beyond. That helps when you want the same symbols in Google Docs, email, and WhatsApp without reformatting each time.

Open the Unicode paste tool.
Type CO2, H2O, or exponents like x2.
Choose Subscript or Superscript; for formulas use Formula + Numbers Only: On.
Click Copy and paste into Word.

Tip: In Word you can still apply bold or italic to Unicode subscript if your font supports it. Prefer a common font (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman) so classmates and teachers see the same glyphs.

Examples: what to type vs what you get

Goal	In Word (format the digit)	Unicode paste
Water	H2O → subscript the 2	H₂O
Carbon dioxide	CO2 → subscript the 2	CO₂
Squared	x2 → superscript the 2	x²
Energy equation	E=mc2 → superscript the 2	E=mc²
Footnote marker	1 → superscript	¹

Need ready-made chem text? See CO₂ and H₂O copy paste. Need raised numbers to copy? See superscript numbers copy paste or the live superscript generator.

How to Insert Superscript in Word

Use the same tools with Superscript selected:

Home ribbon: click Superscript (x²) in the Font group.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + = (Windows) or ⌘ + Shift + = (Mac).
Font dialog: Ctrl + D → check Superscript → OK.
Generator: open our tool, choose Superscript, type x2 or 1 for footnotes, copy, paste.

Learn more: what is superscript · superscript copy paste · superscript generator · subscript vs superscript.

Quick Answers

How to subscript in Word? Select text, then Ctrl + = (Windows) or ⌘ + = (Mac). Or paste from the free paste tool.

What is the subscript shortcut in Word? Windows: Ctrl + = (sub), Ctrl + Shift + = (super). Mac: ⌘ + = and ⌘ + Shift + =. Select text first.

How do I write CO₂ in Word? Select the 2, click Subscript on the Home tab, or paste CO₂ from our generator.

Subscript shortcut not working? Make sure text is selected, you are in the document body, and try the ribbon or Font dialog. Some add-ins remap keys.

Word formatting or Unicode? Word formatting for in-document work; Unicode when the same formula must survive copy into other apps. Need ready-made symbols? Use our free paste tool.

Superscript on Mac? ⌘ + Shift + =, or Home → Superscript, or paste from the tool.

That covers the main ways to apply subscript in Word without losing formulas when you copy between documents.