If you want your Google Sheets formulas or labels to have a more professional touch, you can choose to present H₂O as H2O and xⁿ as x^n. Google Sheets is not equipped with features supporting subscripts and superscripts. With some clever techniques, anyone can quickly get the desired font effect using Unicode or various formulas. In the following steps, we will explain how to add subscripts and superscripts in Google Sheets. We will also show you that you can access the online Font Generator to help you quickly convert your text into styled characters.

What is Subscript?

Subscript is the term used for text that is smaller and sits further down than the rest of the text. This symbol is widely used in science, math and technology for writing about molecules such as CO₂ and for listing footnotes. Subscript text is included in popular word processors, but Google Sheets does not have the feature which means you have to use rivals to apply it successfully.

Why Subscript and Superscript Matter

When dealing with scientific formulas, detailed references or mathematics, setting your data using subscript and superscript helps your data appear more clearly and organised. Simply putting “H2O” is less clear and accurate than putting “H₂O.” Adjusting these small aspects of your document will make your writing more exact and professional.

Although Google Sheets doesn't offer a built-in feature for subscripts or superscripts, you can still achieve the desired effect using online tools like the Subscript Generator. You can convert normal text into Unicode characters for subscript or superscript, place these characters in your cells and let the spreadsheet handle them automatically.

How to Add Subscript in Google Sheets

While Google Sheets does not come with a subscript feature, you can achieve the same result either by pasting it or inserting it using the CHAR function.

Method 1: Insert Subscript via Copy & Paste

Here’s how you can quickly insert subscript text into Google Sheets using the simple copy-and-paste method:

● Find a Subscript Character: Visit a reliable source, such as the Unicode Subscripts and Superscripts page, to locate the subscript character you need. For example, to write “totalₓ,” you can find and use the subscript “ₓ”.
● Copy the Character: Highlight the subscript character and copy it using right-click or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (Mac).
● Open Your Google Sheet: Double-click the target cell where you want to insert the subscript.
● Paste the Subscript: Place your cursor in the correct position and paste the character using Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac).

Method 2: Insert Subscript Using the CHAR Function

You can also use the CHAR function in Google Sheets to display subscript characters by combining them with regular text. This method requires you to know the Unicode decimal value of the subscript character you want to insert.

● Start with the Equal Sign: Click on an empty cell and begin your formula with =, followed by your desired text in quotation marks. For example:
"total"
● Add the Subscript with CHAR: Use an ampersand (&) to combine your text with the CHAR() function. Inside the CHAR() function, insert the Unicode decimal value of the subscript character you need.
● Use the Correct Unicode Value: For instance, the Unicode decimal code for the subscript "x" is 8339, so your full formula would look like this:
="total"&CHAR(8339)
● Press Enter: Once you press Enter, the cell will display your text with the subscript character included, like this: totalₓ.

This method is especially helpful when automating or formatting dynamic data within formulas.

How to Add Superscript in Google Sheets?

Google Sheets doesn't offer a built-in feature for superscript formatting. However, you can achieve this effect using two primary methods: copying and pasting Unicode characters or utilizing the CHAR function.

Method 1: Copy and Paste Unicode Superscript Characters

This straightforward approach involves copying superscript characters from a Unicode source and pasting them directly into your Google Sheets cell.

● Locate the Superscript Character: Visit a Unicode character table or a superscript generator like Superscript Generator to find the desired superscript character.
● Copy the Character: Once you've found the superscript character (e.g., ² for superscript two), copy it to your clipboard.
● Paste into Google Sheets: In your Google Sheets document, double-click the cell where you want to insert the superscript. Place the cursor at the desired position and paste the character using Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac).

This method is quick and effective for adding occasional superscript characters.

Method 2: Insert Superscript Using the CHAR Function

For dynamic or formula-based superscript insertion, the CHAR function can be employed. This function converts a Unicode decimal code into its corresponding character.

● Determine the Unicode Decimal Code: Identify the Unicode decimal code for the superscript character you wish to use. For example, the code for superscript two (²) is 178.
● Construct the Formula: In an empty cell, type the formula combining your base text with the CHAR function. For instance: ="x"&CHAR(178). This formula will display as x² in the cell.
● Press Enter: After entering the formula, press Enter to see the result.

This method is particularly useful when dealing with datasets that require consistent superscript formatting or when generating superscripts programmatically.

Import Unicode Subscripts & Superscripts into Google Sheets

Using the main Unicode characters in your spreadsheet will speed up and simplify the process if you use subscripts and superscripts often. Once the characters are imported, you can use the mentioned ways to insert them into your sheet instead of leaving them.
● In separate cells, enter the URL of the web page containing the Unicode table and the HTML element type you want to extract (for example, "table").
● In another cell, use the IMPORTHTML function to pull data from the URL cell.
● Add a comma, then select the cell containing the HTML element.
● Add another comma, then specify the table index number you want to import—typically the position of the table on the webpage (for example, 2 for the second table).
● Close the parentheses and press Enter. The table will be imported directly into your spreadsheet.
● Once the table is in your sheet, you can conveniently copy subscripts or superscripts from it, or use the decimal codes with the CHAR function in formulas for easy insertion.

Enhancing the Appearance

Now that you have added the text styles, it’s time to focus on how to make your work appear more attractive. The design of subscripts and superscripts should be just as good as their usefulness. After inserting Unicode characters into Google Sheets, they might appear differently from what you planned. Sometimes, the text may not display some symbols or may look different in size.

For a better effect, explore various fonts and sizes in Google Sheets until you find the style that matches your characters best. Sometimes, resizing the cells is necessary to get the text to appear correctly. Even if you need to try out a few things, doing so can ensure that your spreadsheet looks clean and polished.

Conclusion

Unlike subscripts and superscripts, Google Sheets gives you the option to enter Unicode characters or the CHAR function. When you use these ideas, your data will be organized in a way that makes it appear professional. Adjusting the size of your table cells makes your Excel sheet look well-organized.