Superscripts and subscripts are typographical elements that involve the placement of smaller text above (superscript) or below (subscript) the baseline of the main text. When it comes to using these symbols in a project, you can easily create superscripts in Canva; however, the process for doing so is different depending on your computer’s operating system.
If you need to add a superscript or subscript to your project, unfortunately, Canva doesn’t have a native way of doing this. However, this guide will cover a workaround for this problem for both Windows and Apple-based computers.
How To Create Superscripts And Subscripts In Canva (Mac)
When using Canva on a Mac, creating a superscript or subscript is as simple as opening the built-in Character Viewer available on every modern Apple computer. This section of the guide will explain how to open this viewer and insert both superscripts and subscripts into the text of your Canva document.
Step 1: Add A Text Block To Your Project
To add some text to your project, click the Text button, then select the size of the text you want to use under Default Text Styles. If you want a standard size for your text, choose Add A Little Bit Of Body Text.
Next, double-click the text block and replace it with your own text.
Step 2: Open The Character Viewer
The key to creating superscripts and subscripts is the Character Viewer. First, place your cursor where you need your symbol in the text block.
Then, press Command + Control + Space to open the Character Viewer. By default, the list of available emojis will be displayed.
Step 3: Search For Superscripts In The Search Bar
You can find the symbols you’re looking for in the left side panel of the Character Viewer, but to save time, you can also use the search bar in the top right corner.
For superscripts, you should be able to input just the word “super” before the symbols you need pop up in the bottom half of the window.
Next, click on your chosen symbol once to see a detailed preview. Click on the symbol twice to add it where your cursor is on your canvas.
Repeat this process as many times as you need to for your project.
Step 4: Search For Subscripts In The Search Bar
For subscripts, make sure the cursor is where you need the symbol.
In the Character Viewer search bar, type out the entire word: “subscript.” Typing just “sub” may not bring up the symbols you need.
Click on the symbol you need once to see a preview of it, then a second time to add it to your text block.
Repeat this process as many times as needed for your project.
How To Create Superscripts And Subscripts In Canva (Windows)
The process for creating superscripts and subscripts in the Windows version of Canva is different than on a Mac because the Windows operating system lacks a built-in Character Viewer.
For the Windows version of Canva, you’ll need to use the program in a Chrome window and download a specific Chrome extension. This section of the guide will walk you through how to download this Chrome Extension and how to use it.
Step 1: Download The SuperSub Chrome Extension
The Chrome Extension you’re looking for is called SuperSub, and there’s a bit of a trick involved when it comes to finding it.
It turns out that there are a lot of programs called Subscript, so searching for that name alone may not bring up the extension on the first page. Instead, search for “Superscript Chrome Extension,” and the correct extension should be the first to pop up.
After clicking on the page, select Add To Chrome to download the extension.
Step 2: Add A Text Block To Your Canvas
Back in Canva, add some text to your project by clicking the Text button first, then selecting the text size you want to use. Choose Add A Little Bit Of Body Text for the basic text block.
Then, double-click inside the text block and add your own text.
Step 3: Open Up The SuperSub Extension
Now that you have some text on your canvas, you can open up the SuperSub extension by clicking the Jigsaw button in the top right corner of the browser, then selecting SuperSub.
The interface for the SuperSub extension is a simple one, consisting of four separate columns: Super, Sub, SciMath, and Accent.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the list, you’ll see the option to toggle on the superscript column by pressing Control + . (full stop), or you can toggle the subscript option by pressing Command + , (comma).
Unfortunately, these two options can be quite awkward, and it may be a better idea to simply copy the symbol you want to use and paste it into your project.
Step 4: Copy And Paste Your Chosen Superscript Into Your Text Block
First, ensure your cursor is where you need it on your canvas.
Then, under the Super column, use your mouse to select the symbol you need, then press Control + C to copy it to your clipboard.
Once you’re ready, press Control + V to paste the superscript inside your text block. Repeat this process as many times as you need to for your project.
Step 5: Copy And Paste Your Chosen Subscript Into Your Text Block
For subscripts, first, ensure your cursor is where it needs to be on your canvas. Then, use your mouse to select your chosen subscript and press Control + C to copy it.
When ready, press Control + V to paste the symbol in your text block. Repeat this process as many times as needed for your project.
These methods are a much more streamlined way of creating superscripts and subscripts that most people seem to forget about in Canva. Rather than creating separate lines of text, these techniques keep everything as one text layer so you can keep working stress-free.
