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Microsoft Word 2003/2004

Creating Fractions

This document has been prepared to help you create custom fractions with Word. The standard fractions ½, ¼, and ¾ can automatically be created. To create custom fractions such ascustom fraction, you can use the EQ field's fraction option. For additional control, you can use the overstrike option. The following sections will show you how to create a fraction in the format you desire:

return to topAdding Standard Fractions

If Word on your machine is set up to AutoFormat fractions, you can use the following instructions to create the ½, ¼, and ¾ fractions.

  1. Place the insertion point where the fraction should appear
    NOTE: There needs to be at least one space before the insertion point.

  2. Type 1/2, 1/4, or 3/4

  3. Press [Space]
    The characters change to ½, ¼, or ¾ respectively.

Setting Up AutoFormat for Fractions

Windows only:

  1. From the Tools menu, select AutoCorrect Options…
    The AutoCorrect dialog box appears.

  2. Select the AutoFormat As You Type tab
    AutoCorrect dialog box

  3. Select Fractions (1/2) with fraction character (½)
    NOTE: An option is active if it has a checkmark before it.

  4. Click OK

return to topCreating Custom Fractions

To create a custom fraction such ascustom fraction, follow the instructions below.

  1. Place the insertion point where the fraction should appear
    NOTE: There needs to be at least one space before the insertion point.

  2. From the Insert menu, select Field...
    The Field dialog box appears.

  3. From the Categories list, select Equations and Formulas

  4. From the Field names scroll box, select Eq

  5. Windows: Click FIELD CODES
    The dialog box refreshes to show advanced field properties.

  6. Click OPTIONS...
    The Field Options dialog box appears.
    Field Options dialog box

  7. From the Switches scroll box, select \F(,)
    NOTE: This is the fraction option.

  8. Click ADD TO FIELD
    In the Field codes text box, the following will appear: EQ \F(,).

  9. In the Field codes text box,
    1. Place your insertion point before the comma

    2. Type 2 (the numerator)
      The formula should appear as follows: EQ \F(2,).

  10. In the Field codes text box,
    1. Place your insertion point after the comma

    2. Type x (the denominator)
      The formula should appear as follows: EQ \F(2,x).

  11. To return to the Field dialog box, click OK

  12. To return to your document, click OK
    The fraction appears.

return to topCreating Custom Fractions with the Overstrike Option

If you cannot create the fraction that you want using the fraction option described in the Custom Fractions section, you can use the overstrike option. Once you have created the fraction, you can fine-tune the formatting. With this method, you have more control over the finished results.

NOTE: Fractions created with the overstrike option will appear much smaller than those created with the fraction option.

  1. Place an insertion point where the fraction should appear
    NOTE: There needs to be at least one space before the insertion point.

  2. From the Insert menu, select Field…
    The Field dialog box appears.

  3. From the Categories list, select Equations and Formulas

  4. From the Field names scroll box, select Eq

  5. Windows: Click FIELD CODES

  6. Click OPTIONS...
    The Field Options dialog box appears.

  7. From the Switches scroll box, select \O( )
    NOTE: This is the overstrike option.

  8. Click ADD TO FIELD

  9. In the Field codes text box,
    1. Within the parentheses, place your insertion point

    2. Type the characters that you want to be in the fraction
      WARNING: The numerator, denominator, and dash must be separated by commas.
      For example, to createcustom fraction, the Field codes text box would look like: EQ \O(2,-,x).
      field options dialog box with overstrike option selected

  10. To return to the Field dialog box, click OK

  11. To return to your document, click OK
    NOTE: The fraction will not appear correctly until you complete the Fine-Tuning the Formatting section.

Fine-Tuning the Formatting

Windows:

  1. Click within the field of the fraction

  2. Press [Shift]+[F9]
    The code that created the result will be displayed.

  3. Highlight the numerator
    NOTE: The numerator is the number on the top of the equation, for example in 2/x, 2 is the numerator.

  4. From the Format menu, select Font...
    The Font dialog box appears.
    Font dialog box

  5. Adjust the font so it is smaller and superscript

  6. Click OK

  7. Highlight the denominator
    NOTE: The denominator is the number on the bottom of the equation, for example in 2/x, x is the denominator.

  8. From the Format menu, select Font...
    The Font dialog box appears.

  9. Adjust the font so it is smaller and subscript

  10. Click OK

  11. View the updated result by pressing [Shift]+[F9]
    NOTES:
    Repeat steps 3-10 until you get the desired results. 
    Some of the other formatting options you may want to try are located in the Character Spacing tab of the Font dialog box.

Macintosh:

  1. Click within the field of the fraction

  2. Press [option]+[F9]
    The code that created the result will be displayed.

  3. Highlight the numerator
    NOTE: The numerator is the number on the top of the equation, for example in 2/x, 2 is the numerator.

  4. From the Formatting Palette, select Font
    NOTE: The Font section is displayed when the arrow next to Font points down.

  5. From the Size pull-down list, select a smaller font

  6. Click SUPERSCRIPTSuperscript button

  7. Highlight the denominator
    NOTE: The denominator is the number on the bottom of the equation, for example in 2/x, x is the denominator.

  8. In the Formatting Palette, from the Size pull-down list, select a larger font

  9. Click SUBSCRIPTSubscript button

  10. To view the updated results, press [option] + [F9]
    NOTE: Repeat steps 3-10 until you get the desired results.

return to topCreating Additional Fractions with the Same Format

If you have several fractions that are essentially the same, you can create the fraction without repeating the process described above. To do this:

  1. Create a fraction that is formatted correctly
    NOTE: For help with formatting, refer to Custom Fractions or Specialized Fractions.

  2. Select the code or results
    NOTES:
    Windows: If you do not see the code, press [Shift]+[F9].
    Macintosh: If you do not see the code, press [option] + [F9].

  3. To copy the code, from the Edit menu, select Copy

  4. Place your insertion point where you want the next fraction to appear

  5. To paste the fraction, from the Edit menu, select Paste

  6. Select the code or results
    NOTES:
    Windows: If you do not see the code, press [Shift]+[F9].
    Macintosh: If you do not see the code, press [option] + [F9].

  7. To make adjustments to the content, highlight the numerator or the denominator

  8. Type the appropriate values

  9. Windows: To view results of the field, press [Shift]+[F9]
    Macintosh: To view results of the field, press [option] + [F9]

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