Setting Fraction Bar Overhang Spacing in the Equation Editor

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 18, 2019)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

When using the Equation Editor, you can control the spacing used between the ends of a formula and the ends of a division line. Since there are two parts to this type of equation (the numerator and the denominator), the Equation Editor calculates the overhang from the ending points of the widest part of the equation. You can specify a fraction bar overhang using these steps:

Choose Spacing from the Format menu. The Equation Editor displays the Spacing dialog box.
Click on the Fraction bar overhang box (you will need to scroll down some in the list of spacing settings). The Equation Editor changes the Spacing dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Spacing dialog box.

Enter a fraction bar overhang spacing value in points.
Click on OK.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (938) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

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What is 2 + 2?

2022-12-16 12:32:40

Ehsan

Dear Allen,

I hope that you are doing well.
I am wondering if there is a way to adjust the spacing between the numerator and the fraction bar in math formula in Word? Everything is fine when the numerator and denominator are both integers (Fig 1). However, if the numerator and denominator themselves are fractions, then they appear a bit too close to the main fraction bar (Fig 2). I am wondering if it is possible to adjust this spacing and make it look like Fig 1? Many thanks in advance and look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Ehsan

(see Figure 1 below) (see Figure 2 below)

Figure 1. Fig 2

Figure 2. Fig 1

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