How to Type an Exponent in Word for Office 365

Occasionally you will need to type some text into a Word document that requires some unusual formatting.

If that formatting requires the text to be kind of floating above the regular text, then you want to use superscript formatting, which is also the type of formatting that you would require when typing exponents.

Use these steps below to type an exponent in Word by selecting some of the text in your document, then choosing the superscript formatting option to apply it to that selection.

How to Use an Exponent in a Word Document

1. Open your document in Word.
2. Position your cursor where you want the exponent in the document.
3. Type the number or character for the exponent, then use your mouse to select it.
4. Select the Home tab at the top of the window.
5. Check the Superscript button in the Font section of the ribbon.

The article continues below with additional information on how to type an exponent in Word, including pictures for each of the steps.

Microsoft Word gives you a lot of control over your document content and its formatting.

But there are so many different options for ways to customize your information that it can be difficult to find what you are looking for.

One thing that you may want to do is add an exponent as part of a mathematical formula.

Fortunately, you are able to add exponents in Microsoft Word by applying the superscript formatting to the character that you wish to make the exponent.

Our guide below will show you how to type an exponent in Word.

Google Docs has similar options. Find out how to do subscript in Google Docs if you need to add subscript, superscript, or exponents in that application instead.

How to Add an Exponent in Microsoft Word (Guide with Pictures)

The steps in this article were performed in the Microsoft Word for Office 365 version of the application, but will work in most other versions as well.

Step 1: Open your document in Microsoft Word.

Step 2: Choose where you wish to add the exponent in your document.

Step 3: Type the number or letter for the exponent, then select it.

Step 4: Select the Home tab at the top of the window.

Step 5: Click the Superscript button (the one that looks like X²) in the Font section of the ribbon to apply the exponent formatting.

Now that you know how to type an exponent in Word you will be able to add or remove this type of formatting wherever you need it.

Note that the formatting will still be applied when you’re done, so you will need to click that button again to type normal characters.

You can also format a character as an exponent by clicking the small button at the bottom-right of the Font section in the ribbon, then checking the box to the left of Superscript.

Additional Sources

• How to insert a check mark in Microsoft Word
• How to do small caps in Microsoft Word
• How to center text in Microsoft Word
• How to merge cells in Microsoft Word tables
• How to insert a square root symbol in Microsoft Word