Keyboard shortcuts: Enter chemical expressions
Updated 19 Feb 2024
It can be faster to use your keyboard to enter some chemical expression answers instead of using the answer box toolbar. Tablet and smartphone users: Tap the answer box for the toolbar to appear beneath it.
Subscript, superscript, and stacked subscript/superscript (for isotope)
| For this format | Type this from your keyboard | On a tablet or smartphone, open the ... |
|---|---|---|
|
N3 (subscript) |
_ (underbar) |
Numeric keyboard |
|
102 |
^ |
Numeric keyboard |
|
|
\stack |
Letters keyboard |
to enter _
to enter \stack
Arrows (reaction, equilibrium)
| For this chemical symbol | Type this from your keyboard | On a tablet or smartphone, open the ... |
|---|---|---|
|
|
-> or --> (\-> and \--> also work.) |
Numeric keyboard |
|
|
\= or \eq |
Letters keyboard |
Plus, minus, fraction, and dot
| For this character or format | Type this from your keyboard | On a tablet or smartphone, open the ... |
|---|---|---|
|
+ |
+ |
Numeric keyboard |
|
- |
- (hyphen) |
Numeric keyboard |
|
(fraction) |
/ |
Numeric keyboard |
|
(multiplication dot) |
* (asterisk) |
Numeric keyboard |
Greek letter symbols
| For this letter | Enter this from your keyboard | On a tablet or smartphone, open the ... |
|---|---|---|
|
a |
\alpha |
Letters keyboard |
|
b |
\beta |
Letters keyboard |
|
g |
\gamma |
Letters keyboard |
|
n |
\nu |
Letters keyboard |
Overbar
| For this format | Type this from your keyboard | On a tablet or smartphone, open the ... |
|---|---|---|
|
|
\bar |
Letters keyboard |
Parentheses and brackets
When you enter the first part, it displays in red until you close the expression.
| For these characters | Type this from your keyboard | On a tablet or smartphone, open the ... |
|---|---|---|
|
( ) |
( ) |
Numeric keyboard |
|
[ ] |
[ ] |
Numeric keyboard |
To move the cursor within your answer: On a computer, use your keyboard arrow keys (, , , ). On a mobile device, use your finger or other input device. For finer cursor control on a phone: Enlarge your view of the answer box before moving the cursor.
Open these keyboard instructions as you answer questions
Select 
Keyboard shortcuts from the toolbar to open these instructions.
