Fractions in WORD

[Guzeppi]

Am having trouble typing fractions in WORD using Windows 8.1

Usually I press and hold Alt and click on 0189 (on the extreme right side of the keyboard) to type the symbol for one-half.

Suddenly, it is not working anymore.   

I am left with a blank space on the monitor!

Any help plse?  Many thanks.

Joe from the Central Mediterranean

[soybean]

Why not just type the fraction?  Typing 1/2 is fewer key strokes than Alt 0189.

[Salmon Trout]

Why not just type the fraction?  Typing 1/2 is fewer key strokes than Alt 0189.

Fewer keystrokes, but a different end result.



For some people, a correctly appearing fraction has the numerator above the denominator, preferably vertically above.

Guzeppi:

a. Have you checked that Num Lock is on?

b. Have you changed your usual Word font recently? (Or some other setting?)

c. Does ALT + 0189 give you a blank in all fonts? And on here like this ½ - and in Notepad?

d. Have you tried other ALT + numpad combinations e.g. ALT + 130 é?

e. Have you got a spare keyboard?

[soybean]

Fewer keystrokes, but a different end result.

The two methods give me the same result in Word 2007.  In WordPad and Notepad, Alt 0189 yields the same looking fraction as the first one in your image, which is what Word displays.

[Salmon Trout]

The two methods give me the same result in Word 2007.  In WordPad and Notepad, Alt 0189 yields the same looking fraction as the first one in your image, which is what Word displays.

It does if you have the appropriate AutoCorrect option selected

In Word 2003:

Tools - "AutoCorrect Options" - choose the "AutoFormat As You Type" tab - under "Replace as you type" - check "Fractions (1/2) with fraction character (½)"

I think in 2007 it's under Word Options - Proofing.

I forgot I had turned every AutoCorrect option off; I find them an annoyance.

The only fractions that are automatically converted in that way are: 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4.

However I have found that if you want 'proper' fractions like these...




...you can do this:

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

    Press CTRL+F9 to insert field braces.

    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

    { EQ \F(1,8)}

    With the insertion point in the field, press SHIFT+F9.

[Salmon Trout]

    Between the field braces, type the following

    EQ \F(a,b)

    where a and b are the numerator and denominator of the fraction.

Notes: not case-sensitive; numerator & denominator can be any text you like. Font formatting (e.g. superscript, italic, etc) can be applied.