How to Type Exponents in Word, Excel, Google Docs and Sheets (x², 10³, and Any Power)

An exponent is a small raised number that shows a power, as in x² or 10³. There are two very different ways to produce one: formatting the digit as superscript, which works for any number, or typing a Unicode superscript character such as ², which survives copy and paste into places that do not support formatting. This guide covers both in every app people ask about.

Quick answer

Superscript formatting in Word

Formatting is the right choice for documents: the exponent can be any number or letter, it stays aligned with the font, and it prints correctly.

1. Type the base and the exponent normally, for example x2.
2. Select the 2.
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+= (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+= (Mac). The 2 rises to become x².

You can also press the shortcut first, type the exponent, and press it again to turn superscript off. The same option is on the ribbon: Home → Font → Superscript (the x² button). To adjust how high the exponent sits, open the Font dialog with Ctrl+D, choose Advanced, and change Position to Raised.

Word’s equation editor

For anything beyond a single exponent, such as (a+b)² or e^(x²), use the equation editor. Press Alt+= to insert an equation, then type with the caret: x^2 followed by a space becomes x². Fractions, roots and subscripts work the same way (a/b, \sqrt(x), x_1). The result is a real math object that reflows and can be converted to LaTeX or professional layout from the Equation tab.

Superscript in Google Docs

1. Select the exponent.
2. Press Ctrl+. on Windows or Chromebook, Cmd+. on Mac.

Or use Format → Text → Superscript. Docs also has an equation toolbar under Insert → Equation, where typing x^2 and pressing the right arrow produces the exponent. In Google Sheets, superscript formatting is only available through Format → Text → Superscript since 2023 and applies to the whole cell content, so for mixed text most people use the Unicode characters instead.

Exponents in Excel

Excel separates calculation from appearance.

To calculate a power

Use the caret operator or the POWER function:

• =2^10 returns 1024
• =POWER(2,10) returns the same
• =EXP(1) returns e, and =EXP(2) returns e²

Negative and fractional exponents work: =27^(1/3) returns 3.

To display an exponent

If the cell holds text such as a unit or a label, format part of it as superscript:

1. Double-click the cell or click in the formula bar.
2. Select only the exponent digits.
3. Press Ctrl+1 to open Format Cells and tick Superscript under Effects.

This only works on text, not on the result of a formula. For a numeric result that should look like a power, use a custom number format that adds a Unicode character: Format Cells → Custom with a format such as 0" m²" displays 25 as 25 m² while keeping the value numeric.

Unicode superscript characters

Unicode includes ready-made raised digits. They are real characters, so they work in file names, email subjects, chat, social posts, spreadsheets and anywhere else formatting is stripped. Copy them from the tiles at the top of this page, or type them:

On a Mac there is no Option shortcut for these; use the Character Viewer (Control+Cmd+Space, search “superscript”) or a text replacement. On iPhone and Android, copy them or add a text replacement. The superscript generator converts a whole string, including letters, into these characters.

Limits of the Unicode approach

Only digits, a few operators and a partial set of letters exist as superscripts. There is no superscript for many letters, and the characters render slightly differently from formatted superscript because they come from the font’s own design rather than a scaled digit. For a formal document, format the exponent; for plain text, use the characters.

Typing the caret (^)

In plain text and in programming, the caret stands in for “to the power of”: 2^10. It is Shift+6 on US keyboards. Excel, Sheets, Python and most calculators read it as exponentiation. Note that in JavaScript ^ is XOR, and ** is the power operator.

Troubleshooting

• The shortcut does nothing in Word. Another add-in may have taken Ctrl+Shift+=; use the ribbon button or reset the shortcut under File → Options → Customize Ribbon → Keyboard shortcuts.
• Superscript looks too small in print. Reduce the offset in Font → Advanced → Position, or use the equation editor, which sizes exponents properly.
• The Alt code inserts a different character. Type the leading zero: Alt+0178 is ², Alt+178 is a block character from the old CP437 table.
• The exponent turned into a footnote number. In Word, a superscript digit at the end of a sentence is just formatting, but if you inserted a footnote by mistake (Ctrl+Alt+F), delete the reference mark and the note disappears.

Frequently asked questions