How to Make an Exponent in Microsoft Word

There will be instances when you have to enter text into a Word document that needs to be formatted in an unusual manner.

If the formatting requires the text to sort of float above the regular text, use the superscript formatting, which is also the kind of style that is required when inserting exponents.

Our tutorial continues below with additional information about how to make an exponent in Microsoft Word.

How to Create a Word Exponent

1. Open the document in Word.
2. Select the location for the exponent.
3. Type the letter or number, then highlight it.
4. Click Home.
5. Click Superscript.

This guide continues in the next section with more about this topic, including pictures of these steps.

When you are using Microsoft Word, you have a great deal of control over not just the content of your document but also its formatting.

On the other hand, there are so many different options for techniques to personalize your information that it could be difficult to find what you’re searching for among all of the different choices that are accessible to you.

You should give some consideration to including an exponent as a component of a mathematical formula. This is something that you should do.

In Microsoft Word, you can add exponents by applying the superscript formatting on the character that you wish to turn into the exponent. This will allow you to add the exponent. Your documents will now have the ability to include exponents as a result of this.

You will learn how to type an exponent using Microsoft Word by following the steps that are provided in this section.

Related: Learn how to add your last name and page number to every page of your document.

How to Type an Exponent in a Word Document

I wrote this guide using the Office 365 version of Microsoft Word, but the process is very similar in most other versions of Word, such as Microsoft Word 2013 and Microsoft Word 2016.

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Word and open your document.

Step 2: Place your cursor where you want the exponent to appear in the document.

Step 3: Enter the character you want to convert to an exponent and then choose it.

Step 4: Select the Home tab at the top of the window, next to the File tab.

Step 5: Choose the Superscript button in the Font section of the menu.

Now that you know how to make an exponent in Microsoft Word, you will be able to use this same process to add this type of formatting to content in other documents as well.

More Information About Exponents in Word

Exponents are mathematical ideas that depict the process of multiplying a single integer multiple times. You can rapidly insert exponents into your writing by using Microsoft Word’s Superscript tool.

Before you can create an exponent, you must first choose the base number or symbol. Then, from the ribbon, navigate to the “Home” tab’s “Font” section. There is a “Superscript” button there. When you click this button, the selected text will be shown as a superscript, which is the format for exponents.

Once your exponent is in superscript format, simply type the exponent next to the base of your exponent. To write “3 raised to the power of 4,” for example, choose “3,” then click the Superscript button, and finally input “4” next to it. The end result would be as follows: 3⁴.

Exponents can be entered using the “Equation” option in addition to the Superscript button. This function, which can be found under the “Insert” tab of the ribbon, allows you to insert a variety of mathematical symbols and sentences into your text.

To insert an exponent using the Equation function, click the “Equation” button and select the exponent symbol from the list of symbols. After that, the base and exponent can be entered as needed.

It is critical to remember that while the Superscript function works well with simple exponents, the Equation function provides a more robust and adaptive answer. If you want to insert a fractional exponent, for example, use the Equation function.

Finally, for adding exponents to your document, Microsoft Word offers several options, including the Superscript button and the Equation function.

Whether you’re working on a simple arithmetic equation or a more complex mathematical statement, Microsoft Word has the tools you need to get the job done quickly and easily.

Frequently Asked Questions About Microsoft Word Exponents

Is there a Word keyboard shortcut for adding exponents?

If you intend to utilize the exponent or superscript features in Microsoft Word documents regularly, you may be looking for a faster way to do so.

One such option is to use a keyboard shortcut.

If you have selected the text to be an exponent, the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + = can be used to generate an exponent in a Word document.

This shortcut key combination is the easiest way to superscript normal text into an exponent.

In Word, what is the difference between superscript and subscript?

There are two options for changing the vertical position of text on a line. The first choice is the exponent or superscript option, which we discussed in this post.

With the alternate choice, subscript, the text is placed below the baseline rather than above it.

In conclusion, the subscript text is lower than conventional text and higher than superscript text.

Is there another way to turn text into an exponent in Word besides the keyboard shortcut and the Superscript button?
Yes, you can also select the text to be changed to an exponent, then go to the Home tab and click the small Font dialog box launcher in the Font group in the bottom-right corner of the ribbon.

If the box to the left of “Superscript” is checked, the selected text will become an exponent.

How do I access the equation editor in Microsoft Word?

Using the equation tool, which allows you to put an equation box in your document, you can add a whole equation to your MS Word document.

This option is available by selecting the Insert tab at the top of the window and then clicking the Equation button in the Symbols group on the ribbon.

When you do this, an equation field appears in the text, and a new Equation tab emerges at the top of the window, allowing you to select from a variety of mathematical symbols and operators.

When inputting exponents, using the Script drop-down menu, which includes some subscript and superscript command choices that you may prefer to the superscript character option earlier in this article, can be a better option.

Where can I find the caret icon in Microsoft Word?

If you don’t mind the exponent form looking like the superscript formatting, just put a caret before the number or letter you want to convert to an exponent.

Holding down the Shift key while hitting the “6” button on your keyboard’s top row of numbers will add a caret.