Typing x2 when you meant x² makes a Word document look unfinished fast. You can fix it with Superscript, insert a real exponent character, or build the expression as a Word equation depending on what you are writing.
Start with the quickest formatting controls, then use symbols, equations, or saved snippets when the exponent needs to behave differently.
Use Superscript from the Home tab
Use this when the exponent is ordinary text or a number you already typed, such as x2, m2, or 10th. It applies raised formatting to the selected characters.
Type the base and exponent normally.
Select only the part that should appear raised.
Go to Home and select Superscript. Word raises the selected text immediately.
Select Superscript again before you keep typing normal text.
If you formatted the wrong text, use Undo or clear the formatting.
Trigger Superscript with the keyboard
The keyboard shortcut is the fastest way to insert an exponent in Word once the text is already selected. Select the number, letter, or word you want to raise.
On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Plus sign. On Mac, press Command + Shift + Plus sign.
If the shortcut does not give you the result you need, use Home > Superscript instead, or select the text and press Ctrl + Spacebar on Windows to remove manual superscript formatting.
Format it from the Font dialog box
Select the text you want to turn into an exponent.
Open Home.
Use the Font Dialog Box Launcher in the Font group.
In the Effects group, choose Superscript.
Confirm the change, and Word applies the raised formatting to your selection.
Use Offset only when the exponent position needs a finer adjustment.
This route is handy when the ribbon button is too blunt and you want the formatting controls in one place.
Insert a fixed exponent symbol
This fixes cases where you need a true character such as ² or ³ instead of raised formatting. The dialog steps below are the Word for Windows route.
Click where the exponent character should appear.
Open Insert.
Choose Symbol.
Select More Symbols.
Set Font to (normal text).
Set Subset to Superscripts and Subscripts.
Choose the superscript character you need.
Select Insert.
Choose Close.
In Word for Mac, open Insert and choose Symbol, then use Symbols to scroll the options or Special Characters, or use Character Viewer as described later in this article.
Build exponents as equations
Use Word equations when the exponent belongs inside a formula, not just in a sentence. This is the better choice for expressions such as x^2, fractions with powers, or longer math notation.
Go to Insert and select Equation, or press Alt + = on Windows.
Pick a built-in equation or choose Insert New Equation.
Type the equation in the equation area.
For exponents in linear equation input, use standard equation syntax such as x^2.
Use the Equations tab to choose your input format. Word supports Unicode math, and LaTeX math input is available to Word for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
Use Convert and Professional when you want Word to display the equation in finished form.
Fix equation text that stays plain
The most common cause is that Word has not converted the linear equation into professional equation format yet.
Click inside the equation and use Convert on the Equations tab.
Choose Professional.
On supported Word versions, Ctrl + = also converts to professional format.
To make Word convert equation expressions automatically, open the Equations tab.
Select the arrow for Equation Options.
Turn on Automatically convert expressions to professional format.
Control automatic ordinal superscript
Open File and choose Options on Windows.
Select Proofing.
Choose AutoCorrect Options.
Go to AutoFormat As You Type.
Turn Ordinals (1st) with superscript on when you want Word to raise st, nd, rd, and th automatically.
On Mac, open the Word menu, choose Preferences, open AutoCorrect, then use AutoFormat as You Type.
This setting only handles ordinal suffixes, not every mathematical exponent.
Pick another symbol tool
Word for Windows can insert Unicode characters with Alt + X. Use Insert > Symbol > More Symbols to find the symbol's Character code, type that code in the document, then press Alt + X. If the code immediately follows other text, select just the code before pressing Alt + X.
Windows numeric keypad Alt codes work for characters that have them. Click in Word, hold Alt, type the four-digit code on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. Use the numeric keypad, not the number row.
You can also press Windows key + ., open Symbols, and pick a symbol from the Windows panel. For a fuller character browser on Windows, open Character Map, select the required font and character, choose Copy, then paste it into Word with Ctrl + V.
On Mac, click in Word and press Fn or Globe + E, or choose Edit > Emoji & Symbols. Search or browse for the superscript symbol, then click it, or double-click it if Character Viewer is expanded.
Save exponent snippets for reuse
Use this when you repeat the same exponent expression and do not want to rebuild the formatting each time. AutoCorrect is best for short snippets, while AutoText is better for saved formatted expressions.
For AutoCorrect, create the exponent-formatted text first, then select up to 255 characters.
Open File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
Use the AutoCorrect tab and turn on Replace text as you type.
Under Replace, type the trigger text.
Confirm with Add and OK.
To insert that saved text later, type the trigger and press Spacebar or Enter. AutoCorrect text-replacement entries are not supported in Word for the web.
For AutoText, select the exponent-formatted expression and press Alt + F3.
Save it in the Create New Building Block dialog.
Insert it later from Insert > Quick Parts > AutoText. AutoText is not available in the web app.
Older guides may mention Insert > Object > Create New > Microsoft Equation 3.0. Microsoft removed Equation Editor 3.0 in the January 2018 Public Update, so use Insert > Equation instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I type exponents in Word for the web?
Yes. Word for the web includes the Superscript control on the Home tab, so you can select text and raise it the same way you do in desktop Word.
How do I remove superscript formatting in Word?
Select the raised text and choose Superscript again on the Home tab. On Windows, Ctrl+Spacebar removes manual superscript formatting from selected text.
Does AutoCorrect work for every exponent in Word?
No. The Ordinals (1st) with superscript setting only raises ordinal suffixes such as st, nd, rd, and th. For math exponents, use Superscript, Symbol, or Equation.
Can I use the old Microsoft Equation 3.0 tool for exponents?
No. Microsoft removed Equation Editor 3.0 in the January 2018 Public Update. Use Insert > Equation for current Word equation work instead.
