How to Type Exponents on a Chromebook (Superscript and Special Characters)

Last Updated: November 29, 2021

You might need to type an exponent to explain a mathematical problem or you might need to write in superscript to get that recipe down. This wikiHow article will teach you how to type exponents and superscript on Chromebook in popular writing software like Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Typing Exponents in Google Docs on a Chromebook

1
Open or create a new project in Google Docs. Go to https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/, sign in, and click a document you want to edit. If you're creating a new document, click the multicolored + and then the pencil icon in the lower right corner.
2
Go to Insert. It's above the editing document next to File and Help.

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3
Click Equation. You'll see this menu option next to a π2 icon.
- The text box becomes outlined, so you know it's not normal text.
4
Click xb from the "Math operations" drop-down. After you click "Equation," you'll see five drop-downs at the top of the page. Each represents a different type of equation including arrows and relations, so click the fourth icon from the list.
- When you hover your mouse over each equation element, the groupings name displays above your cursor.
5
Type the first value. This first value will be represented in normal font.
6
Press the Tab ↹ key. You'll see that the cursor becomes smaller as it moves to the exponent.
7
Type the exponent. Now you have a number or letter with an exponent attached in your Google Doc.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Typing Superscript in Google Docs on a Chromebook

1
Open or create a new project in Google Docs. Go to https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/, sign in, and click a document you want to edit. If you're creating a new document, click the multicolored + and then the pencil icon in the lower right corner.
2
Select the text you want to change to superscript. You can use your mouse to highlight everything you want to make superscript, or you can press and hold Shift while you press the arrow keys to select text.
3
Go to Format and hover over Text. The Format tab is located above the editing document next to File and Help.
4
Click Superscript. The text you selected will change to reflect the font shift.
- You can also press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + . to toggle superscript on and off.^{[1]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Typing Superscript in Word (online) on a Chromebook

1
Open the Word document you want to edit. You can open a saved Word document through https://www.office.com/?auth=1 to edit old text or open a new, blank document to type new text.
2
Select the text you want to change to superscript. You can use your mouse to highlight the text you want to change or you can press and hold Shift while you press the arrow keys to select text.
3
Click Home. You'll see this in the editing ribbon above your document.
4
Click ••• . It's to the right of the "A" icon with the eraser next to it.
5
Click Superscript. The text you've selected will change to reflect your choice.