Illustrator

Creating superscripts or subscripts

Superscript and subscript text (also called superior and inferior text) is reduced-size text that is raised or lowered in relation to a font’s baseline.

When you create superscript or subscript type, Illustrator applies a predefined baseline shift value and type size. The values applied are percentages of the current font size and leading, and are based on settings in the Type section of the Document Setup dialog box.

Create superscripts or subscripts in regular fonts

  1. Select the type you want to change. If you don’t select any type, any new text you create will be rendered as superscripts or subscripts.
  2. Choose Superscript or Subscript from the Character panel menu.

Create superscripts or subscripts in OpenType fonts

  1. Select the characters you want to change to superscript or subscript. If you don’t select any text, the setting applies to new text you create.
  2. Make sure that an OpenType font is selected. One way to determine if a font is an OpenType font is to look in the Type > Font menu; OpenType fonts display the icon.
  3. In the OpenType panel, choose an option from the Position pop‑up menu:
    Default Position
    Uses the default position for the current font.

    Superscript/Superior
    Uses raised characters (if available in the current font).

    Subscript/Inferior
    Uses lowered characters (if available in the current font).

    Numerator
    Uses characters designed as fraction numerators (if available in the current font).

    Denominator
    Uses characters designed as fraction denominators (if available in the current font).

Change the size and position of superscripts or subscripts

  1. Choose File > Document Setup, and choose Type from the pop‑up menu at the top of the dialog box.
  2. Specify the following values for Superscript and Subscript, and then click OK:

    • For Size, type a percentage of the font size for superscripted and subscripted text.

    • For Position, type a percentage of the regular leading to specify how much the superscript and subscript text will move.