Mastering Exponents in Google Sheets (4 Simple Methods)

When working with statistical data in Google Sheets, it is sometimes necessary to use and display mathematical formulas. This can also be helpful for your next math class (if you’re a teacher).

And this often requires the use of subscripts or superscripts in Google Sheets. In this tutorial, I will show you a few simple ways to add exponents in Google Sheets.

How to Add an Exponent in Google Sheets

Unfortunately, there is no direct method to add an exponent in Google Sheets. Here’s how to do it:

1. Type your text in a cell.
2. Find the corresponding ASCII code for the characters you want to make superscript or subscript.
3. Type the equals sign (=) in the adjacent cell.
4. Enclose the words that should remain normal in quotation marks.
5. Type &CHAR in the cell.
6. Inside the parentheses, enter the ASCII code.
7. Press Enter.

What are Subscripts and Superscripts?

Subscripts and superscripts are characters that are smaller than normal text.

Subscripts are positioned slightly below the normal text, while superscripts are positioned slightly above the normal text.

For example:

• The 2 in O2 is a subscript.
• The 2 in x2 is a superscript.

When and Why Do We Need Subscripts and Superscripts in Google Sheets

You might need subscripts when writing formulas or chemical notations. You might also need to use subscripts in mathematics when trying to designate different versions of the same variable or refer to an element in a sequence, for example: a0, a1, a2…

Superscripts in Google Sheets, on the other hand, are often used to raise a number or variable to a certain power (e.g., x2). They are also used to represent temperatures with the degree symbol. For example, 5°C.

Using subscripts and superscripts is fairly easy on Google Docs, but this feature has not yet been implemented in Google Sheets. And that’s understandable because Google Sheets was designed to work with numbers and is not a word processor.

But many people need to display data in the form of fractions or formulas in spreadsheets as well (that’s also one of the common questions I receive from people).

Fortunately, there are ways to add subscripts and superscripts in Google Sheets.

4 Ways to Get Subscripts and Exponents in Google Sheets

Here are three ways to use exponents and subscripts in Google Sheets.

Using the CHAR() Function

The CHAR() function is one of the built-in functions of Google Sheets. It returns the character corresponding to a given decimal value.

There are numeric values (called ASCII codes) corresponding to each character.

For example, the decimal value of the character A is 65.

So, if you type the following CHAR function in a cell and press Enter, you will get the letter “A” as the result of the function.

=CHAR(65)

Similarly, there are numeric values corresponding to subscript and superscript digits from 0 to 9, as well as mathematical symbols such as (), +, -, and =.

Numeric values for exponent and subscript alphabets are also available, but not for all of them.

For your convenience, I have created a Google spreadsheet containing lists of ASCII codes along with the corresponding superscript/subscript character. All you have to do is make a copy of it, save it to your own Google Drive, and use the codes whenever necessary.

Click here to access the spreadsheet. that contains the subscripts and superscripts (you’ll need to make a copy to use it)

Here’s how you can use the codes in the spreadsheet:

1. Make a copy of my cheat sheet and save it to your own Google Drive. Keep it for future use.
2. You will notice that it contains two separate sheets. One titled “Subscript Characters” and another titled “Superscript Characters”.
3. Each sheet contains tables for digits, symbols, and alphabets. The first column contains the character you need, the second column contains the corresponding ASCII code, and the third column contains the CHAR() function to display the corresponding superscript/subscript character.
4. Whenever you need to use a subscript or superscript, simply open this saved file, select the corresponding sheet, and find the character you need from the list. Let’s say you want to type the notation x2. You can then look for the notation corresponding to the digit 2.
5. Select the cell in the column of the corresponding function and press Ctrl+C on your keyboard. If you look at the content of that cell, you’ll see that it is actually the result of a CHAR() function.
6. Go to the file where you need to put the exponent/subscript and right-click on the desired cell, then in the context menu, click Paste special, and then click Paste values only.

This will paste your required exponent/subscript symbol at the desired location. You can then choose to adjust the size if needed.

Using Google Docs to Make Numbers Superscript or Subscript

You can also use Google Docs to add a superscript to Google Sheets. Here’s how to make a superscript in Google Sheets using Google Docs:

1. Select the text or value.
2. Copy and paste it into Google Docs.
3. In Google Docs, go to Format > Text.
4. Choose Superscript. You can also use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+(dot).
5. Copy the text and paste it back into your spreadsheet.

Using Unicode Symbols

The second easier way to incorporate exponents/subscripts in Google Sheets is by using Unicode symbols.

Unicode symbols are somewhat like emojis, but you can use them in your text. All you have to do is copy and paste the symbol into your cell whenever you need it.

There is a complete set of Unicode symbols for superscript and subscript digits 0 through 9 that can be easily searched, copied, and pasted.

Alternatively, you can visit Compart.com and search for your desired exponent or subscript by typing the word “exponent” or “subscript,” followed by the number you’re looking for in words. For example, if you’re looking for the superscript form of the number 7, you can type “superscript seven” (or simply type superscript, then select 7 from the list).

This will give you the Unicode symbol for the superscript number 7, as shown below. You can simply copy this symbol and paste it into your Google Sheets.

Here’s how to make a superscript in Google Sheets using Unicode:

1. Search for Unicode online or go to Compart.com.
2. Search for the exponent of your choice.
3. Copy it and paste it into your Google Sheets cell.

Unicode symbols are available for superscripts and subscripts of all digits from 0 to 9, as well as for a few Greek symbols and mathematical symbols such as +, -, =, and ().