Microsoft Word 2003

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 as, 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:

• Adding Standard Fractions
• Creating Custom Fractions
• Creating Custom Fractions with the Overstrike Option
• Creating Additional Fractions with the Same Format

Adding 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
   

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

4. Click OK

Creating Custom Fractions

To create a custom fraction such as, 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.
   

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.

Creating 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 create, the Field codes text box would look like: EQ \O(2,-,x).
      

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.
   

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.