Setting Fraction Bar Overhang Spacing in the Equation Editor

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated July 18, 2019)

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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