WD: Setting a Custom Superscipt/Subscript Font Size and Position

• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97

SUMMARY

The superscript and subscript formats applied to text using the predefined key combinations automatically raise or reduce the font size of the selected text. To create easy-to-apply custom superscript and subscript formats that may or may not change the font size, use the appropriate method for your version of Word.

MORE INFORMATION

Word 97 for Windows or Word 98 Macintosh Edition

The predefined key combinations for superscript and subscript are listed in the following table.

                 Macintosh                        Windows
                 ---------                        -------

 Superscript     Command+Shift++ (Plus Sign)      CTRL+SHIFT++ (Plus Sign)

S ubscript       Command+= (Equal Sign)           CTRL+= (Equal Sign)

1. On the Tools menu, click Customize.

2. Click to select the Commands tab.

3. Click Keyboard.

4. In the Customize Keyboard dialog box, under Categories, click to select Format. Under Commands, click to select Raised (for superscript position) or Lowered (for subscript position).

5. Change the Raised (or Lowered) drop-down box to the desired scripting height (for example 5 pt).

6. Click in the blank text box beneath "Press New Shortcut Key" and key in a key combination (just hit the keys simultaneously).

7. Click the Assign button to assign the key to the selected scripting height command.

Word 6.0 (Windows and Macintosh)

The predefined key combinations for superscript and subscript are listed in the following table.

                 Macintosh                        Windows
                 ---------                        -------

 Superscript     Command+Shift++ (Plus Sign)      CTRL+SHIFT++ (Plus Sign)

 Subscript       Command+= (Equal Sign)           CTRL+= (Equal Sign)

1. On the Tools menu, click Customize.

2. Click to select the Keyboard tab.

3. In the Categories box where it shows menu choices, click to select Format.

4. In the Commands box, click on Raised (for superscript position) or Lowered (for subscript position).

5. Click on the Raised (or Lowered) drop down box with a little triangle to the right, and click to select a scripting height (for example 5 pt).

6. Click in the blank text box beneath "Press New Shortcut Key" and key in a key combination (just hit the keys simultaneously).

7. Click on the Assign button to assign the key to the selected scripting height command.

Word Version 4.0 and 5.x

In Word, the predefined key combinations are: [COMMAND+SHIFT++ (Plus sign)] for superscript and [COMMAND+SHIFT+- (HYPHEN)] for subscript. The following process can be used to create several different superscript and subscript sizes, which can be quickly accessed through key commands or menu selections:

1. On the Edit menu, click Commands.

2. Type a "T" to move to the top of the list of commands beginning with the letter "T." Scroll the list backwards and select either the Subscript or Superscript style.

3. In the highlighted box where it shows the point size, type in the desired scripting height (for example, 3 pt).

4. Click the Add button next to the Keys box and assign a keystroke to this new command. Then click the Add button next to Menu to add the new command to the displayed menu.

Word Versions 3.0x

Using AutoMac III, custom superscript and subscript formats can be quickly implemented through quick key commands. The following steps create an AutoMac macro that inserts superscripted (or subscripted) text of a desired point size and height level:

1. Click the "A" to the left of the Apple menu to start AutoMac. (This assumes that it has already been installed. If it has not, refer to page 5 of the AutoMac III manual.)

2. Click the Record button in the first AutoMac dialog box.

3. In the second dialog box, type in a key command and a name for the macro, then click the Record button.

4. Hold down the COMMAND+SHIFT++ (PLUS) keys. This formats the following text as superscript (use COMMAND+OPTION+- (HYPHEN) to get subscript).

5. Press the COMMAND+D keys to bring up the Format Character dialog box.

6. Type in the desired point size of the superscript.

7. If the desired height of the superscript is anything other than 3 points (the default), press the TAB key and type in the desired height.

8. Press RETURN.

9. Click the "A" to stop the macro.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User’s Guide," version 6.0, page 726

"Reference to Microsoft Word," version 4.0 page 33