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...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Using Less Paper on Printouts

If a worksheet contains nothing but a bunch of values in column A, you may be loathe to print the worksheet and "waste" a ...

Discover More

Valid Numbers in Form Fields

When you create a form, you need to use special form fields. If you want to limit what users can enter in a form field, ...

Discover More

Pasted Text Converted to a List

When you paste information into a document right after the end of a bulleted or numbered list, Word may convert that ...

Discover More

Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!

More WordTips (menu)

Choosing an Equation Style

You can define styles for different characters used in the Equation Editor. It is not as full-featured as styles in Word, ...

Discover More

Setting Prime Height Spacing in the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor is a great tool for easily creating fancy-looking equations in your document. You can even control ...

Discover More

Setting Matrix Column Spacing in the Equation Editor

If you are using matrices in your equations, you may want to adjust the spacing used between columns.

Discover More

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is 7 + 0?

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

This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.