Superscript in google docs not working is a common issue faced by those who use keyboard shortcuts to do tasks such as editing, navigating, and formatting documents. This feature in Google Docs allows you to raise one or more characters above the normal text line. Additionally, it makes it smaller. Therefore, it is incredibly useful when you need to type out mathematical or chemical formulas.

The superscript option in Google Docs can be enabled from either the Google Docs menu or set up using a dedicated keyboard shortcut. However, if your subscript feature is not working, there is a list of solutions. These can help fix this issue. Read ahead to find out how you can fix the subscript option in Google Docs.

Things to do before troubleshooting

Before you start troubleshooting, check to see whether or not you are using Google Docs correctly or if there is a system issue. These are the most common issues outside of your browser that may cause an issue with the superscript to occur. Therefore, before moving on to the list of solutions, try out these two things first. 

Restart your device

There is always a possibility that a temporary glitch is interfering with Google Docs and causing certain features like the superscript to not work. The best way to fix such an issue is to restart your device and check whether or not the problem has resolved itself.

To reboot your computer, press down and hold the power button for around 5 to 10 seconds. When you do this, the computer should shut off, and no light should be on near the power button. Then, wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then push the power button once again. This should turn your computer on. When your computer has rebooted, open up your desired browser and check to see whether or not the superscript in Google Docs is working.

Ensure that you are using the correct command

When using a keyboard, it is normal to miss-press some keys. Thus, you should make sure that you are using the correct keyboard shortcut to access the subscript option. The usual shortcut includes pressing the Control (on Windows) or Command (on Mac) and the period ket simultaneously. However, this shortcut does not work with all keyboard layouts and keyboards in different languages. Therefore, it is vital that you check how to superscript on your particular keyboard. 

If you are not using Chrome, another keyboard shortcut includes pressing FN and the Command or Control key with the period key altogether. This combination helps enable the superscript option. 

If none of these methods work to fix your superscript in Google Docs, move on to these different solutions that may help fix your problem.

How to fix Google Docs superscript

Superscript is an incredibly useful option that can help you type out various chemical and mathematical formulas. This option is easily accessible in Google Docs through a keyboard shortcut and through a menu. However, it can sometimes not work, which may make things extremely difficult. If you wish to fix this issue, go through the solutions listed below.

Update your browser

All browsers available on the internet are designed to be updated regularly. This feature allows them to be able to handle new features that various websites and apps introduce and therefore be in step with all the advancements that take place within the technological sphere. If you do not update your browser, there may be compatibility issues because some features may be too advanced for an outdated browser. Therefore, you should update your browser to the latest version. Updating may help solve issues, such as the superscript not working in Google Docs. Here is how to update Google Chrome, one of the most popular browsers out there.

1. Launch Google Chrome by selecting its icon.
2. Click on the three vertical ellipses near the top right of the window. This will open up the Chrome browser menu.
3. Click on Settings
4. Click on the About Chrome tab on the left.
5. Click Update Chrome to manually update the browser.
6. Next, click on the Restart button.

After the browser has restarted, open up Google Docs to see whether or not the issue has been resolved. 

Disable or remove extra browser extensions

Extensions are a great way to enhance browser functionality. However, there are certain browser extensions that can interfere with Google Docs and cause issues, such as the superscript function not working. This issue is especially prevalent if the extension uses the same keyboard shortcut as the superscript of Google Docs. 

Therefore, the only solution here is to disable the extension or to remove it entirely from your chrome browser. 

Here is how to do it.

1. Launch the Google Chrome browser by clicking on its icon
2. On the upper right side of the browser, there will be three vertical ellipses. Beside it, there will be a puzzle piece icon. This icon is the Extensions icon. Click on it. 
3. Next, click on Manage Extensions.
4. A list of extensions will open up. You can disable them by toggling their respective switches off. 

Open up Google Docs and check to see if the superscript is working. If it is, turn on the extensions one by one. In between, check to see whether or not the superscript is working. This method can help identify which extension is causing the issue.

The most common extension is the AdBlock extension. If you have that installed, disable it. Then check to see whether or not superscript is working on your Google Docs. 

Clear cookies and cache of your browser

Most browsers make use of cookies and cache to help improve user experience. It also helps boost the overall performance of the browser. However, cookies and cache can also become corrupt and interfere with Google Docs or the superscript feature of Google Docs. This issue is common and can be easily fixed. To do so, you will need to clear out the cookies and cache of your browser. Here is how it is done.

1. Launch Google Chrome by clicking on its icon.
2. Click on the three vertical ellipses in the upper right corner to open up the Chrome menu. 
3. In the menu, hover your cursor over the more tools option. A submenu will open up.
4. Here, click on the clear browsing data. 
5. Next, navigate to the bottom of the window and select the sign-out option. Selecting this will delete the Chrome Data but still keep your Google account.
6. In the advanced settings, select the time range to be All Time. Then select all the categories. 
7. Click on the Clear data button. 

This step will take some time. When it is done, relaunch Chrome and open up Google Docs to see whether or not the superscript option is working. 

Reset your browser settings to default

Another common issue due to which your superscript in Google Docs is not working could be the customized settings of your browser. The best way to fix these settings is to reset them and revert them back to default. Before doing so, ensure that all your essential information regarding the browser and extension is safe and backed up.

1. Launch Google Chrome by clicking on its icon.
2. Click on the three vertical ellipses in the upper right corner to open up the Chrome menu. 
3. Click on Settings, and in the left half of the window, select the Advanced option.
4. Then select the option titled ‘Reset and Clean Up.’
5. On the right-hand side of the window, there is an option to restore settings to their original default. Click it.
6. Confirm to reset the settings to default.

When it is done, relaunch Chrome and open up Google Docs. Then, check to see whether or not the superscript option is working. 

Reinstall Google Chrome

If your superscript is not working in Google Docs, it is possible that there is an issue within your browser. This issue can be beyond your reach or expertise. Therefore, one solution is to uninstall Chrome and reinstall it. Before doing so, make sure that you are not accidentally deleting important information. To avoid doing so, make backups.

Here is how to uninstall Chrome.

1. Click on the Windows Start button, which is situated at the bottom-left corner of the screen. 
2. In the search bar at the bottom, type the control panel and click on it when it pops up. 
3. Navigate to the programs menu and underneath it, select the uninstall a program option.
4. Here, find Google Chrome and select the uninstall button. This button is usually found near the top of the window.
5. Ensure that you also delete your browsing data. This step ensures that all your bookmarks, history, temporary files, and cache are deleted. Hence, it does not interfere with the new Chrome you will install.

To reinstall Google Chrome, follow these steps.

1. Download Google Chrome from the official website and wait for it to download completely.
2. Navigate to the download folder and select the ChromeStetup.exe file. 
3. Instructions will appear, follow them.

Once you are done, log into your Google account and check to see if superscript is working on your Google Docs.

Use the menu subscript path

Often the issue that arises with Google Docs’s subscript is limited to when you try to use a keyboard shortcut to access it. To bypass this issue, you can use the menu superscript path instead of the superscript shortcut to access superscript. To do so, click on the format menu of Google Docs and select the text option. Here, you will see the superscript option. Once you select it, you will be able to use the superscript as normal. 

FAQs

How to type superscript in google docs?

If you want to know how to do superscript in Google Docs, follow these steps. 

1. Highlight the text that you want to convert into a superscript.
2. Then, select the Format tab from the menu.
3. Click on the text option
4. Select superscript

The text you have chosen should then reduce in size and move above the text line. 

How to add a superscript in Google Docs using shortcuts?

To add subscripts in Google Docs using keyboard shortcuts, follow these steps.

1. Select the text that you want to convert into a superscript. 
2. Then, press the control key at the same time as the period key. 

The text you have selected should convert into a superscript. 

How do you superscript in Google Docs on a Mac?

To add a superscript in Google Docs on a Mac, follow these steps.

1. Select the text that you want to convert into a superscript.
2. Then, press the control key at the same time as the period key. 

The text you have selected should convert into a superscript. 

How to put subscript in google docs?

If you want to know how to do subscript in google docs, follow these steps.

1. Select the text that you want to convert into a subscript.
2. Press Control and the comma key at the same time.

The text you have selected should convert into subscript in google docs.

If you want to add subscript in Google Docs on a Mac, follow these steps.

1. Select the text that you want to convert into a subscript.
2. Press Command and the comma key at the same time.

The text you have selected should convert into a subscript.

Bottom Line

Superscript and subscript options are essential features for some users as they allow you to minimize text and bring it above the line of text. Such a feature is invaluable for those who need to type chemical and mathematical equations in Google Docs. However, sometimes this option does not work, which can be a cause of concern. This issue is easily fixable, and this article has listed many ways you can resolve this issue. These methods can help you once again use the superscript in Google Docs.

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