WPS PDF superscript and subscript lets you format editable PDF text as raised or lowered characters; it includes 3 core tasks, 0 available without membership, and 3 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 3 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 0 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 3 | Matches the number of membership-required rows in the index |
About This Feature
Overview
WPS PDF superscript and subscript helps you format text in an editable PDF as superscript or subscript. It is useful for mathematical expressions, chemical formulas, footnote markers, and other text that needs special positioning.
Core tasks include:
- Apply superscript to selected text for exponents, footnote numbers, and similar notation.
- Apply subscript to selected text for chemical formulas, indexed variables, and similar notation.
- Remove superscript or subscript formatting to return text to normal baseline text.
This feature is designed for PDF text editing workflows. Before you use it, open the file in text editing mode and select the target text.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A Windows device that can run WPS Office |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office |
| Network | No constant internet connection is required for local text formatting; internet access is needed for download, installation, and account sign-in |
| Other | The PDF should contain editable text; scanned PDFs may need OCR or conversion before text can be formatted |
Download & Installation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Post-install check | Open WPS Office, open a PDF, switch to text editing, and confirm that the superscript and subscript control is available in the toolbar |
Source: WPS Download Center
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | In PDF text editing mode, WPS lets you apply superscript or subscript to selected text and click the applied option again to remove the effect. | Microsoft Word lets you format selected text as superscript or subscript with toolbar buttons or the Font dialog box. | Google Docs supports superscript and subscript with keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl+. and Ctrl+, on Windows. | Notion supports superscript and subscript mainly through inline equations, using ^ for superscript and _ for subscript. | Adobe Acrobat lets you edit PDF text and apply superscript or subscript from text formatting controls. |
| Official Source | — | Microsoft Support: Format text as superscript or subscript in Word | Google Docs Help: Keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs | Notion Help Center: Math equations | Adobe Acrobat: Edit text in PDFs |
Advantage: It fits PDF text editing directly, so you can adjust notation without leaving the PDF workflow.
Overall Conclusion
If your main task is adjusting formulas, chemical notation, or footnote styling directly inside a PDF, WPS keeps the workflow centered on PDF text editing. Microsoft Word and Google Docs are more document-focused, Notion is more equation-oriented, and Adobe Acrobat also supports PDF text formatting with its own editing flow.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable For | Common Need | How This Feature Helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edit mathematical exponents | Teachers, students, researchers | A PDF needs square, cube, or similar superscript notation | Select the text and apply the superscript option |
| 2 | Edit chemical formulas | Teachers, students, lab staff | Numbers in formulas need subscript formatting | Select the text and apply the subscript option |
| 3 | Adjust footnote markers | Editors and document reviewers | Footnote numbers need to stand out from body text | Format the number as superscript |
| 4 | Restore normal text formatting | Reviewers and proofreaders | Existing superscript or subscript formatting needs to be removed | Click the applied superscript or subscript option again |
| 5 | Fix OCR-converted layout | Office users | OCR output does not preserve formula or chemical notation layout | Reapply superscript or subscript in text editing mode |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Capability | Free Users | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Basic PDF viewing | ✅ | ✅ |
| PDF text editing | Limited | ✅ |
| Superscript and subscript in PDF | Requires PDF editing access | ✅ |
| Cloud storage | 1 GB | 20 GB |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Usage Pattern | Recommended Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You mainly read PDFs and only make occasional changes | Free | Suitable for basic viewing and light PDF use |
| You often edit PDF text, formulas, or chemical notation | WPS Premium | More suitable for ongoing PDF editing and formatting work |
How to Subscribe
- Go to the WPS Office pricing page to compare plans and subscribe.
- Review the feature comparison on the purchase page before choosing a plan.
Source: WPS Office pricing page