Google Slides superscript

To add superscript in Google Slides, select the relevant character and press Ctrl + . on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + . on macOS. Alternatively, in the web interface, follow the path Format > Text > Superscript from the top menu. This action shifts the selected text above the baseline and reduces the font size.

Core use cases for superscript formatting

Superscript is a typographic formatting style where characters are placed above the standard text baseline. In presentations, it is primarily used for:

• Area and volume measurements: m² (square meters), cm³ (cubic centimeters)
• Mathematical and scientific exponent notations: 10⁵, x²
• Footnote and citation reference numbers: [1], *
• Trademark or registration symbols: ™, ®

To apply this styling, an active text box, table cell, or shape containing text must be selected on the slide. This formatting cannot be applied directly to text within imported static images. For notations that need to drop below the baseline, such as chemical formulas, you should instead follow the subscript steps explained in our Google Slides subscript guide.

Keyboard shortcuts by operating system

Using keyboard shortcuts in Google Slides speeds up text editing while creating presentations. The shortcuts defined in official Google Workspace support documentation include:

• Windows and ChromeOS: The Ctrl + . (period) shortcut is used to assign superscript Google Help.
• macOS / iOS: The defined superscript shortcut is ⌘ + . (period) Google Help.
• Android tablets and phones (with a physical keyboard): The Ctrl + . combination applies to superscript during text editing Google Help.

Note: As stated in official Google sources, certain shortcuts may respond unexpectedly depending on keyboard language or regional layout. When a shortcut does not work, the top menu path provides a reliable alternative.

Applying superscript using the top menu bar

When you prefer the graphical interface over keyboard combinations, follow these steps:

1. Click the text box on the slide that you want to edit.
2. Use your mouse or Shift + arrow keys to select only the character to be converted to superscript.
3. Click the Format menu on the top menu bar (the menu can also be opened via Alt + O in Google Chrome or Ctrl + Option + O on macOS).
4. Hover over the Text option in the drop-down list.
5. Click Superscript in the resulting submenu.

To remove the formatting, you can select the same menu step again or use the Clear Formatting shortcut (Ctrl + \ or Ctrl + Space for Windows/ChromeOS; ⌘ + \ for macOS).

Hypothetical scenario: Applying formatting on a technical report slide

Suppose we are preparing an engineering presentation. Let us assume our slide contains the following fictional and hypothetical text:

• Title: Urban Renewal Project Soil Analysis
• Item 1: Total building footprint area: 14,500 m2 (Hypothetical Value)
• Item 2: Annual energy consumption coefficient: 105 kWh/m2 (Planned Projection)

To correct the unit displays on this slide:

1. Select only the numeral "2" in the first m2 expression by highlighting it with your cursor.
2. Press Ctrl + . if you are on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + . if you are on macOS. The character shrinks and moves upward, turning into m².
3. Select the "2" character in the second item and apply the same key combination.

Shortcut mechanisms may differ across presentation software; for the Microsoft ecosystem, you can consult our PowerPoint superscript guide.

Balancing typing flow after superscript

When you continue typing immediately after applying superscript, newly entered characters may remain in superscript mode. There are two primary methods to return the typing flow to the standard line level:

• Immediately after typing the superscript character, press the Ctrl + . (or ⌘ + .) shortcut again to toggle off superscript mode, then continue typing your text at standard size.
• Alternatively, finish typing all text as plain text first (for example, type m2), then go back, highlight only the character that needs styling, and convert it to superscript. This approach avoids dealing with cursor mode toggles while typing.

Managing visual hierarchy and legibility

Because superscript characters are smaller than standard text, their legibility can be impaired from a distance or on smaller displays:

• If your body text uses a small font size, audience members might struggle to notice the superscript character. In this case, test visibility by launching the slideshow in full screen.
• If you want to make the formatted superscript character more distinct, select only that character and adjust its point size via the font size field or by using the Ctrl + Shift + > / < shortcuts (⌘ + Shift + > / < on macOS).
• If unwanted lines or formatting overlaps appear within the text block, you can audit your text styles using the steps in our Google Slides strikethrough guide.

Final pre-presentation checklist

• Are all area and volume units on the slide (m², cm³, km²) in standard exponent format?
• Did the spaces and following sentence characters after the superscript revert to standard size?
• Are footnote numbers added via superscript clearly distinguishable so they do not blend into numbers in the main text?
• If a shortcut failed due to a regional keyboard layout, was the Format > Text > Superscript menu alternative tested?

Can the size and position of superscript in Google Slides be adjusted from a separate settings menu?

Unlike desktop word processors, Google Slides does not feature an advanced settings menu to configure the vertical offset percentage or automatic scaling ratio of superscript. However, after selecting the formatted superscript character, you can manually adjust its size using the increase/decrease font size buttons on the toolbar or via keyboard shortcuts.

Is it safe to copy Unicode characters instead of using superscript?

You can paste a direct Unicode squared character (²) into your text. However, character corruption may occur if different font families or formats to which the slide is exported do not support these glyphs. Using the built-in Format > Text > Superscript feature or the Ctrl + . shortcut in Google Slides ensures more consistent compatibility across all fonts.