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How to Restore or Reassign the Subscript Keyboard Shortcut in Word
Question details
The user needs to restore or reassign the keyboard shortcut for subscript text formatting, as the default shortcut has been changed to document zoom.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying subscript formatting efficiently using keyboard shortcuts while typing a document.
- Observed behavior
- Pressing Ctrl+= zooms the document in Word 2019 instead of applying the subscript format, due to a recent Microsoft Office update altering shortcut defaults.
Verify if the new default subscript shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+-) works for your workflow before attempting to manually remap your keyboard settings to the older layout.
Reassign the Subscript Shortcut via Word Options
Manually change the shortcut back to Ctrl+= or your preferred key combination using the Customize Ribbon menu.
If you prefer the classic shortcut over the new default, you can easily map it back through Word's native customization settings. This change will be saved to your document template.
Open your document, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu. In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Customize Ribbon' in the left pane.
At the bottom of the right panel, find the 'Keyboard shortcuts' label and click the 'Customize...' button next to it.
In the 'Categories' list on the left, scroll down and select 'All Commands'. In the 'Commands' list on the right, scroll down alphabetically and select 'Subscript'.
Click inside the 'Press new shortcut key' text box and press 'Ctrl+=' (or your desired combination). Ensure the 'Save changes in' dropdown is set to 'Normal', then click 'Assign' and close the dialog boxes.
Use the Updated Default Subscript Shortcut
Adapt to Microsoft's new assigned shortcut for applying subscript formatting without altering any system settings.
Apply Subscript Seamlessly Using WPS Office
If unexpected software updates are disrupting your document workflow, WPS Office offers a highly stable, free alternative. You can easily apply subscript formatting in WPS Writer using familiar classic keyboard shortcuts or intuitive ribbon buttons.
- 1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your document in the Writer application.
- 2. Highlight the Text: Use your mouse to select the text you wish to format.
- 3. Apply Subscript via Shortcut: Simply press 'Ctrl+=' on your keyboard. Alternatively, click the Subscript icon (x₂) located in the Home tab on the top ribbon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ctrl+= suddenly start zooming my Word document?
Microsoft recently updated the default zoom keyboard shortcuts in Word 2019 and Microsoft 365. As a result of this update, the Ctrl+= combination was reassigned to the zoom-in function, overwriting its previous role as the subscript formatting shortcut.
What is the new default keyboard shortcut for subscript in Word 2019?
Following the recent Microsoft Office keyboard shortcut update, the new default shortcut to apply subscript formatting in Word is Ctrl+Shift+-.
Can I reset all my Word keyboard shortcuts back to default?
Yes. Navigate to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, click 'Customize...' next to Keyboard shortcuts, and then click the 'Reset All...' button at the bottom of the Customize Keyboard dialog box to restore all original shortcut bindings.
