How to Type Exponents in Google Docs

Lee Stanton July 15, 2022

If you’re using Google Docs to create math equations, you’re probably wondering how to use certain math-related features. For example, finding the option to type exponents can be very frustrating.

Fortunately, we’ll show you how to type exponents in Google Docs in three ways. We’ll also equip you with the knowledge to insert fractions, as well as how to access your Google Docs from any device.

How to Type Exponents in Google Docs?

Google Docs offers different options for inserting exponents. If you want to type exponents directly in Google Docs, you need to use the ‘’Equation’’ feature.

Open Google Docs.
Place the insertion point where you want to insert an exponent. Note: The insertion point is the blinking line that determines where your characters will be typed.
In the horizontal toolbar at the top of the screen, click Insert.
Select Equation.
Type e.g. 10^6, and Google Docs will automatically transform that into 10⁶.

Note: In step 5, insert the “^” symbol by pressing ‘’Shift+6.’’ This may vary depending on the language you set for your keyboard.

How to Do Superscript in Google Docs?

The second way you can add exponents in Google Docs is by formatting the existing number as a superscript. For this, you need to use the ‘’Superscript’’ feature.

Open Google Docs.
Type in the number you want to format as an exponent.
Highlight that number by clicking and dragging over it with your cursor.
In the horizontal toolbar at the top of the screen, click Format.
Place your cursor over Text.
Click on Superscript.

Note: In step 3, you can use a shortcut to highlight your number. Place the insertion point (i.e. the blinking line) just next to the number. Then, use “Shift+Arrow Right” or “Shift+Arrow Left,” depending on the position of the insertion point.

Additional FAQs

How Do You Go to Google Docs?

You can access Google Docs within your desktop browser. Or, you can download the Google Docs app from App Store or Google Play Store and use it on your mobile device.

Keep in mind that you need to have a Google account to use Google Docs. If you already have a Google account, you can skip this section.

Create a Google Account

1. Go to accounts.google.com.

2. Click Create account.

3. Select For myself.

4. Enter your name, last name, username, and password. Then, click Next.

5. Select your country, enter your mobile phone number and click Next.

6. Enter your recovery email address, date of birth, and gender, and then click Next.

7. Click I agree.

Access Google Docs

After you finish creating a Google account, you can go to Google Docs in a few different ways. The following methods for accessing Google Docs apply to desktop users.

· Search for Google Docs in your web browser

1. Open your web browser.

2. Type Google Docs in the Google search bar.

3. Click on the first search result. The URL of the result should be https://docs.google.com.

· Access Google Docs from Gmail

1. Go to your Gmail.

2. Click on the Google apps icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

3. Scroll down in the extended menu and click on the Docs icon.

· Access Google Docs from Google Drive

1. Go to your Google Drive.

2. In the top-left corner of the screen, click New.

3. Click on Google Docs.

Note: After you use Google Docs a few times, simply type docs in the search bar at the top of the screen, and a suggested result that leads you to Google Docs should appear.

If you want to go to Google Docs on your mobile device, you don’t have to open your mobile browser. Instead, you can use the Google Docs app available for Android and iOS devices. However, you must sync your Google account with your device before signing in to Google Docs on your phone.

What Is the Shortcut for Superscript in Google Docs?

Shortcuts always come in handy when working at a fast pace. Fortunately, you can use a shortcut for Superscript in Google Docs to save time.

1. Open Google Docs.

2. Type in and highlight the number you want to convert to an exponent.

3. Press “Ctrl + .” on your keyboard.

Note: If you’re a Mac user, press “⌘ + .“

How Do You Make Fractions on Google Docs?

In Google Docs, you can even write fractions in the format. There are two ways to do this. You can use the Equation feature you’re already familiar with.

1. Open your Google Docs document.

2. Place the insertion point where you want to insert a fraction.

3. In the horizontal toolbar at the top of the screen, click Insert.

4. Select Equation.

5. In the equation toolbar, click the Math operations button.

6. Select .

7. Type in the numerator and press Enter.

8. Type in the denominator and press Enter.

The second method includes inserting a fraction straight from the equation toolbar. But first, you’ll need to make sure that the equation toolbar is shown.

1. Open your Google Docs document.

2. In the horizontal toolbar at the top of the screen, click View.

3. Make sure that the Show equation toolbar option is checked.

4. Place the insertion point where you want to insert a fraction.

5. In the equation toolbar, click New equation.

6. Click the Math operations button.

7. Select .

8. Type in the numerator and press Enter.

9. Type in the denominator and press Enter.

Note: After you insert a fraction, highlight it and use the shortcuts “Ctrl+Shift+.” and “Ctrl+Shift +,” to increase and decrease the font size.

What Is Google Docs?

Google Docs is a free online word processor created by Google. You can view it as a simplified version of Microsoft Word because it operates in a similar way – only the number of features is considerably smaller.

With Google Docs, you can create, edit, and share documents. They are linked to your Google account and stored on your Google Drive. You can access them at any time and from any device. All you need is an internet connection, and you can work on your Google Docs documents on the go.

Another useful Google Docs feature is the real-time collaboration with your colleagues. In other words, you and your colleagues can work on a single Google Docs document at the same time. This is great for teams who are working remotely and for temporary group projects.

The Google Docs sharing option is what makes Google Docs stand out among word processors. You can quickly send your document via email by clicking the Share button. Or, you can create a shareable link and distribute it to many people at once (e.g. in a Facebook group chat or a Slack channel), which saves you time and extra effort.

If you set your document to Anyone with the link can view, users without a Google account can also access your Google Docs document. So, make sure that the people to whom you send the link won’t distribute it to anyone else.

The formats that Google Docs support are .docx, .odt, .rtf, .pdf, .txt, .html, and .epub. You can download a Google Docs document in one of these formats and open them in their native programs (i.e. Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Notepad, etc.).

Apart from working in Google Docs on your desktop browser, you can also download the Google Docs app for your mobile phone. Make sure that you sync your Google account with your device first.

How Do You Write Squared on Google Docs?

If you are writing math or extensive algebra equations, chances are that you’ll need to type squared numbers. To do this, you can use one of the two methods we’ve shown you.

Using the Superscript Feature

1. Open a Google Docs document.

2. Type 2 next to the number you want to square and highlight it.

3. In the horizontal toolbar at the top of the screen, click Format.

4. Place your cursor over Text.

5. Click Superscript.

Note: After step 2, you can use the “Ctrl+.” or “⌘+.” shortcut.

Using the Equation Feature

1. Go to your Google Docs.

2. In the horizontal toolbar at the top of the screen, click Insert.

3. Select Equation.

4. Type e.g. 16^2, and Google Docs will automatically transform that into 16²

Typing Exponents in Google Docs

Everyone who has used Microsoft Word will intuitively find their way around Google Docs, but some features needed explaining. Hopefully, this article has helped you to type exponents. As you’ve seen, you can type exponents directly using the Equation feature or format an existing number using the Superscript option. With the equation feature, you can insert fractions in the format you want.

Google Docs offers many other useful features, and now you know how to access it from your PC or mobile device.

How did you type exponents in Google Docs? Did you use the Equation, Superscript, or some other feature? Let us know in the comments section below.