Select the text you want to make an exponent
Press Ctrl + Shift + = on Windows
Press Command + Shift + = on Mac
Click the Home tab
Click the Superscript button in the Font group
Type the exponent after turning on superscript
Turn off superscript when finished
Use the Equation tool for complex exponents
Insert an equation from the Insert tab
Type the exponent using the caret symbol in equations if needed