How to Add Subscript to Google Docs

If you need to type a chemical formula such as H₂O, a mathematical expression, or another text element with characters positioned below the baseline, you can use subscript in Google Docs.

Google Docs provides several ways to add subscript, including the Format menu and keyboard shortcuts. You can also insert individual subscript characters when you only need specific symbols or numbers.

In this guide, you'll learn how to add subscript in Google Docs step by step.

How to Add Subscript to Google Docs

Method 1. Using the Format Option

Step 1. Highlight the text you want to be converted to subscript.

Step 2. Select the "Format" tab from the toolbar, and then select the "Text" > "Subscript" option.

This action can be done for a single character or a whole line of text. The character or line of text will be converted to a subscript. You will mostly use it for single characters. The whole line subscript formatting is commonly used in adding comments at the bottom of a page or under a paragraph.

Method 2. Using Special Character

Step 1. Place your mouse in the text that you want to add a subscript and then click the "Insert" > "Special Character" option.

Step 2. Now, a new window pops up, and then you can select the "Subscript" option to choose any character you like.

Method 3. Using Keyboard Shortcut

If you frequently use subscript, a keyboard shortcut can save time.

First, select the character or text you want to format. Then use the appropriate shortcut:in Windows, press Ctrl + , (Ctrl and the comma key). On a Mac, that's Command + , (Command and the comma key).  

Note: If you need to add superscript in Google Docs, you can follow the same steps above. Just choose Superscript instead of Subscript under Format > Text. You can also use the corresponding keyboard shortcut for superscript. 

Need to Add Subscript to a PDF?

What if you've already exported your Google Docs document as a PDF, but then realize that you need to add a subscript, correct a formula, or make another text change?

Unlike a Google Docs document, a PDF is primarily designed to preserve the layout and appearance of a document. Once your content has been exported to PDF, making changes to the text may not be as straightforward as editing the original Google Docs file. If you need to add subscript to existing PDF text, you need a PDF editor that allows you to modify the document directly.

This is where Wondershare PDFelement can help. It lets you edit text directly in a PDF, so you don't have to go back to the original Google Docs document, make the change, and export the file again.

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Step 1. Upload the PDF File

Download and launch PDFelement on your desktop. Then upload the PDF file by clicking the “Open PDF” option.

Step 2. Activate Editing Mode

The default editing function is normally inactive. After uploading the file, you need to click the "Edit" > Edit text and image object" button. Then you can select the text in the document to execute the editing command.

Step 3. Insert Subscript or Superscript in PDF

The superscript and subscript function will be enabled upon activating the editing function. Select the characters in your document that you want to be converted to subscript or superscript. Click on either the subscript or superscript icons, and your subscript and superscript will be instantly created.

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This workflow can save time when you no longer have access to the original Google Docs file or when you only need to make a quick correction to an exported PDF.

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