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How to format text as superscripts in Excel?

Author Kelly Last modified

Formatting text as superscript in Excel can be essential when you're working with mathematical equations, scientific data, or when you need to add footnotes to specific information. This article will guide you on how to apply superscript formatting to all characters in a cell or just a selected part of the text within a cell.

Format text as superscript with formatting cells

There is no superscript button in Excel as in Microsoft Word. To format characters as superscripts, you need to open the "Format Cells" dialog box:

  • Step 1: Select characters in one cell or cell range that you want to format as superscript;
  • Step 2: Click the launcher button in the "Font" group under the "Home" tab, see screenshot;

A screenshot of the launcher button in the Font group under the Home tab

  • Step 3: In the "Format Cells" dialog box, go to the "Effects" section;
  • Step 4: Check the "Superscript" option, see screenshot;
  • Step 5: Click "OK".

You can also open the "Format Cells" dialog box by holding down the "Ctrl" + "Shift" + "F" keys together.

A screenshot of the Format Cells dialog box with the Superscript option selected

Notes:
  • If the selected cell contains a formula, you can only format the whole cell content as superscript, but not part of numbers or characters.
  • If the selected cell only contains a value, you can't format the numbers as superscripts.

Format text as superscript with Kutools for Excel

Kutools for Excel simplifies many routine tasks within Excel, including formatting text. One particularly useful feature is the "Superscript / Subscript" button that Kutools adds to the Excel ribbon. This feature is especially handy when working with scientific data, mathematical equations, or when you need to adhere to specific formatting guidelines that require superscript or subscript text. Below, we outline how to use this feature to format characters in a cell as superscript.

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Step 1: Select one cell, and click "Kutools" > "Format" > "Superscript / Subscript".

A screenshot of the Superscript / Subscript option under the Kutools Format menu in Excel

Step 2: Select one character, and check the "Superscript" option, see screenshot.

Step 3: If you need to format other characters as superscripts, redo Step 2. At the end click the "OK" button to save settings.

A screenshot of the Superscript / Subscript dialog box in Kutools for Excel, showing formatting options

This tool will format characters as superscripts in a cell, one character at a time. You can format many characters in selected cells without closing the dialog box. In addition, you can also apply other format styles: bold, italic, upper case, font size, color, etc.

Notes:
  • You must select a cell with content before applying this Superscript / Subscript tool.
  • If the selected cell contains a formula, this tool is not available.
  • If the selected cell only contains a value, you will be requested to convert the value to text; otherwise, you can't format the numbers or characters in the active cell as superscript.
Tips:
  • To use this feature, you should install Kutools for Excel first, please click to download Kutools for Excel now.
  • Kutools for Excel's Superscript / Subscript tool can help us easily format text as a superscript or subscript in a cell. It also supports applying Bold, Italic, Upper/Lower Case, Font size, and Color to selected characters.

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