WD: How to Insert Fractions Other Than 1/2, 1/4, 3/4

ID: Q137734

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0

SUMMARY

The AutoFormat feature in Word automatically changes the typed number "1/2" to the symbol for 1/2. This feature also changes "1/4" and "3/4" to their appropriate symbols. The "More Information" section of this article explains how you can use the AutoCorrect feature to change typed fractions to their respective symbol characters.


MORE INFORMATION

To create an AutoCorrect entry for a fraction, you must create the fraction symbol and then add it to the AutoCorrect list.

To Create the Fraction Symbol

Method 1: Use an Equation Field to Create the Fraction:

This method creates a fraction with a horizontal line between the numerator and the denominator.

  1. Place the insertion point where you want the fraction to appear.


  2. Press CTRL+F9 to insert field braces.


  3. Between the field braces, type the following
    EQ \F(a,b)
    where a and b are the numerator and denominator of the fraction.

    For example, if you want to create the fraction 1/8, the field would look like this


    4. { EQ \F(1,8)}
  4. With the insertion point in the field, press SHIFT+F9.


Method 2: Use Equation Editor to Create the Fraction:

NOTE: The Equation Editor is NOT installed during a typical installation. If you ran a typical installation, you will need to quit Word and run Setup again to install the Equation Editor, before using this method.

This method creates a fraction with a diagonal line between the numerator and the denominator.

  1. Place the insertion point where you want the fraction to appear.


  2. On the Insert menu, click Object.


  3. In the Object Type list, click Microsoft Equation 2.0 (Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0) or Microsoft Equation 3.0 (Word 97), and then click OK.


  4. In the Equation toolbar, click the second button in the second row.


  5. Click to select the type of fraction you want. To match other symbols in the document, you probably want the smaller fraction with the diagonal. Click the second button in the second row.


  6. In the dashed boxes, type the numerator and denominator.


  7. Click outside the equation area to return to Word.


Method 3: Use Superscript and Subscript Formatting to Create the Fraction:

  1. Place the insertion point where you want the fraction to appear.


  2. Type the numerator and then select it.


  3. On the Format menu, click Font.


  4. On the Font tab, under Effects, select the Superscript check box, and then click OK. The numerator is now superscripted.


  5. Press CTRL+SPACEBAR to clear the superscript format for the remainder of the fraction.


  6. Type the fraction separator bar /.


  7. Type the denominator and then select it.


  8. On the Format menu, click Font.


  9. On the Font tab, under Effects, select the Subscript check box, and then click OK. The denominator is now subscripted.


To Create an AutoCorrect Entry for the Fraction Symbol

  1. Click to select the fraction symbol you just created.


  2. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect. Under "Replace text as you type," the fraction appears in the With box.


  3. In the Replace box, type the numbers in the fraction. For example,type 1/8.


  4. Click Formatted Text, and then click OK.


When you type the fraction text in the document, the fraction symbol appears automatically after you press the SPACEBAR.

AutoFormat can only use the symbols available to the normal text font: 1/2, 1/4, and 3/4. To preview these symbols, on the Insert menu click Symbol, and in the Font list, click (Normal Text).

The precise look of the normal text symbols differs slightly from those added using the EQ field or the Equation Editor. Adjustments to font size, character position, and character spacing may be necessary to match the symbols available in the Normal font.

You can also use the AutoText feature in Word to store and use fractions in a document.

For more information about creating and using AutoText entries, click the Office Assistant, type "How do I create an AutoText entry?" (without the quotation marks), click Search, and then click the "Use shortcuts to insert frequently used text and graphics" topic.

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Word Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Additional query words: 7.0 word95 winword word7 howto 8.0 word8 word97

Keywords : kbualink97 kbusage kbfield
Version : WINDOWS:7.0,97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto


Last Reviewed: September 23, 1999
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