Placing Numbers Over Other Numbers

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

Jeff has a need to create "almost a fraction," and he doesn't know how. For example, he needs to create the fraction 41/104 (41 over 104), but without the line; just the number 41 over the number 104. Jeff wonders how he can move numbers (41) over other numbers (104) on the same line.

There are a couple of approaches you can take to this. One is to use the Equation Editor to create a "matrix" that will contain the numbers. (How you use the Equation Editor has been covered in other issues of WordTips.) You'll want to use the matrix tool from the Equation Editor's toolbar to insert a 2 x 1 matrix (two rows by one column). You can then put whatever numbers you want in each box of the matrix.

You could also forego using the Equation Editor and place the numbers in a text box. Within the text box type the number 41, press Enter, and then type 104. Adjust the line spacing and alignment of the text and make sure that the border of the text box is removed.

Perhaps the best solution is to use the EQ (equation) field that has been available since the earliest days of Word. You can follow these steps:

Press Ctrl+F9. This inserts a pair of field braces within your document.
Type "eq \a \ac (41,104)" (without the quote marks).
Press F9 to collapse the field and change to the field's results.

The EQ field can perform some amazing adjustments of your text. Case in point is the above steps, which creates an inline matrix. The number 41 appears above the number 104, and they are centered horizontally in relation to each other.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7137) 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

Selecting a Line of Text

Many word processing programs include commands that allow you to select a line of text. Word doesn't, but you can use the ...

Discover More

Resize Graphics Outside of Excel

Graphics are a common addition to almost any workbook. If you need to change the size of your graphics (which Excel lets ...

Discover More

Word Marks Mixed Case Acronyms as Incorrect

Many acronyms (such as DoD) are considered correct when they used mixed uppercase and lowercase. Word may not seem them ...

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More WordTips (menu)

Applying the All Caps Format

Want your text to always appear in upper-case, regardless of how you type it? Word allows you to add formatting to your ...

Discover More

Replacing Quoted Text with Italics

If you have text surrounded by quotes in a document, you may want to remove the quote marks and make the text that was ...

Discover More

Understanding Font Styles

Fonts, by default, come with one or more styles that define variations of how that font is displayed in your document. ...

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 two more than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

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.