How To Enter Subscripts and Superscripts
Subscripts and superscripts can directly be added to Wolfram language cells from keyboard shortcuts or through menu commands.
In Input (Superscripts)...
Type a superscript with (Insert ▶ Typesetting ▶ Superscript). Exit from a superscript with
(Insert ▶ Typesetting ▶ End Subexpression):
![](Files/EnterSubscriptsAndSuperscripts.en/7.png)
-
is a mnemonic for power, as in x^2.
In Input (Subscripts)...
Type a subscript with (Insert ▶ Typesetting ▶ Subscript). Exit from a subscript with
(Insert ▶ Typesetting ▶ End Subexpression):
![](Files/EnterSubscriptsAndSuperscripts.en/17.png)
is a mnemonic for the common ASCII notation for subscripts, as in
.
In Text (Superscripts)...
Type a superscript with (Insert ▶ Typesetting ▶ Superscript). Exit from typing math with
:
![](Files/EnterSubscriptsAndSuperscripts.en/28.png)
Exit from a superscript but continue typing math with (Insert ▶ Typesetting ▶ End Subexpression):
![](Files/EnterSubscriptsAndSuperscripts.en/32.png)
- Typing a superscript in text automatically enters math mode. You can enter math mode explicitly with
. See Insert Inline Math In Text for details.
In Text (Subscripts)...
Type a subscript with (Insert ▶ Typesetting ▶ Subscript). Exit from typing math with
:
![](Files/EnterSubscriptsAndSuperscripts.en/42.png)
Exit from a subscript but continue typing math with (Insert ▶ Typesetting ▶ End Subexpression):
![](Files/EnterSubscriptsAndSuperscripts.en/46.png)
- Typing a subscript in text automatically enters math mode. You can enter math mode explicitly with
. See Insert Inline Math In Text for details.
Programmatically...
On output, Subscript, Superscript and Subsuperscript format respectively as subscripts, superscripts and subsuperscripts:
![](Files/EnterSubscriptsAndSuperscripts.en/50.png)
![](Files/EnterSubscriptsAndSuperscripts.en/53.png)