Athanor by arbastro
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How to format chemistry as you type

Format chemistry as you type is on to start: formulas typed in text get subscripts and charges get superscripts. Edit › Text › Format chemistry as you type turns it off and on.

On a Mac, Ctrl is Cmd.

Steps

  1. Add text with the text tool (T) and type a formula, for example H2SO4. The digits become subscripts as you type: H₂SO₄.
  2. Type a charge after a symbol, for example Fe3+, and it becomes a superscript: Fe³⁺.
  3. For text where digits should stay on the line, choose Main menu › Edit › Text › Format chemistry as you type to turn it off. A check mark beside it shows it is on.

The same submenu has Bold text (Ctrl+B), Italic text (Ctrl+I) and the three alignments.

Text and labelsHow to add text and captionsPress T and click empty canvas to type text. Bold text is Ctrl+B, Italic text Ctrl+I, and Align text left, center or right is Ctrl+Shift+L, C or R.

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Last updated Nov 12, 2026