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


1

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:

  1. Choose Spacing from the Format menu. The Equation Editor displays the Spacing dialog box.
  2. 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.)
  3. Figure 1. The Spacing dialog box.

  4. Enter a fraction bar overhang spacing value in points.
  5. 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. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Removing the Box from a Text Box

Insert a text box, and it is automatically formatted to have a border around it. Getting rid of the border is easy, if ...

Discover More

Table Header Rows after a Manual Page Break

Insert a manual page break into the middle of a table, and you may find that subsequent pages of the table don't always ...

Discover More

Creating Two Versions of the Same Document

You may often need to create two versions of the same document, one with everything and the other with a subset of what ...

Discover More

Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!

More WordTips (menu)

Entering Regular Text in the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor is a great tool for designing and displaying all sorts of equations in a document. It is not very ...

Discover More

Setting Embellishment Spacing in the Equation Editor

The equation editor is a great tool for adding mathematical equations into your document. The placement of many elements ...

Discover More

Setting Numerator Height Spacing in the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor is a great way to add an professional-looking equation to your document. It allows you to modify many ...

Discover More
Subscribe

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.

What is two minus 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.

Videos
Subscribe

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

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.