Solved: < sup > Tag Not Working in WordPress

If the <sup> tag (used for superscript) isn’t working in WordPress, there could be several reasons for this. Here are some troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Visual vs. Text Editor:
   • Ensure you are using the Text (or Code) Editor when manually adding the <sup> tag in WordPress. If you’re using the Visual Editor, it may not recognize or may inadvertently remove certain HTML tags.
2. Theme or Plugin Conflicts:
   • There may be a theme or plugin causing a conflict. To troubleshoot:
     • Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One) and check if the <sup> tag works. If it does, the problem lies with your theme.
     • If the theme isn’t the issue, deactivate your plugins one by one and check each time to see if the problem is resolved. This will help you identify a problematic plugin.
3. CSS Styling:
   • It’s possible the theme’s CSS is overriding the default styling for the <sup> tag. Inspect the element using your browser’s developer tools to see if any CSS is affecting it. You might need to add custom CSS to ensure the superscript appears correctly. For example:
     sup {
vertical-align: super;
font-size: smaller;
}

4. Use a Plugin:
   • There are several WordPress plugins available that enhance the editor’s capabilities and may offer improved handling of superscripts. Plugins like TinyMCE Advanced can give you more control over the editor and its features.
5. Alternative Methods:
   • As an alternative to the <sup> tag, you can use the following method:
     • If you’re using the Gutenberg block editor, you can highlight the text you want to be superscripted and then choose the “Superscript” formatting option.
6. Check for Auto-formatting:
   • Some setups may have auto-formatting functions that strip out or alter certain HTML tags for security or cleanliness. If you’re inputting content through an import or API, make sure it’s not being altered before it reaches WordPress.
7. Ensure Proper Closure:
   • Ensure that every <sup> tag has a corresponding </sup> closing tag. Otherwise, it might not display correctly.
8. Clear Cache:
   • After making changes, especially if you have a caching plugin or server-side caching, clear your cache to make sure you’re viewing the latest version of the page.

If, after trying these solutions, you’re still encountering issues, it may be helpful to reach out to the theme or plugin developers for support, or to the WordPress community forums for additional insights.