If that formatting requires the text to be kind of floating above the regular text, then you want to use superscript formatting, which is also the type of formatting that you would require when typing exponents. Use these steps below to type an exponent in Word by selecting some of the text in your document, then choosing the superscript formatting option to apply it to that selection.

How to Use an Exponent in a Word Document

The article continues below with additional information on how to type an exponent in Word, including pictures for each of the steps. Our when I type why does it delete words article will help you fix a problem in Microsoft Word where you can type and it will replace existing content. Microsoft Word gives you a lot of control over your document content and its formatting. But there are so many different options for ways to customize your information that it can be difficult to find what you are looking for. One thing that you may want to do is add an exponent as part of a mathematical formula. Fortunately, you are able to add exponents in Microsoft Word by applying the superscript formatting to the character that you wish to make the exponent. Our guide below will show you how to type an exponent in Word. Google Docs has similar options. Find out how to do subscript in Google Docs if you need to add subscript, superscript, or exponents in that application instead.

How to Add an Exponent in Microsoft Word (Guide with Pictures)

The steps in this article were performed in the Microsoft Word for Office 365 version of the application but will work in most other versions as well. Now that you know how to type an exponent in Word, you will be able to add or remove this type of formatting wherever you need it. Note that the formatting will still be applied when you’re done, so you will need to click that button again to type normal characters. You can also format a character as an exponent by clicking the small button at the bottom-right of the Font section in the ribbon, then checking the box to the left of Superscript. Related Topic: if you have been trying to add different symbols to your document, then check out this square root symbol on keyboard tutorial. One such option would be with the help of a keyboard shortcut. If you select the text that you would like to turn into an exponent, you can use the Ctrl + Shift + = keyboard shortcut to create an exponent in a Word document. This shortcut key combination is the fastest superscript option when you want to convert normal text into an exponent. The other option is called subscript, and it moves the text below the baseline, rather than above it. So, to summarize, superscript text is higher than regular text, while subscript text is lower than regular text. You can then check the box to the left of Superscript to turn the selected text into an exponent. You can find this option by selecting the Insert tab at the top of the window, then clicking the Equation button in the Symbols group of the ribbon. This places an equation field in the document, and opens a new Equation tab at the top of the window, where you can select from a variety of different symbols and mathematical operators. This can be a preferable option to type exponents using the Script drop down menu, which offers some subscript and superscript command options that you might prefer to the superscript character option earlier in this guide. You can add a caret by holding down the Shift key on your keyboard, then pressing the 6 button in the top row of numbers. After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites. His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well. Read his full bio here.

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