How one can insert fractions in Phrase and Pages

Regardless of the existence of the metric system and an elevated reliance in recent times on decimal fractions to put in writing partial quantities (similar to 2.5), we frequently discover ourselves desirous to drop in a real fraction. We all know that ½ or ¾ seems to be snazzier than 1/2 and three/4, like ensuring you’re utilizing curly or typographer’s citation marks as an alternative of straight typewriter ones.

However you possibly can simply be stymied when typing in Microsoft Phrase or Apple’s Pages: not all fractions seem like “accessible.” You’ll be able to simulate them through the use of font styling to decide on superscript (for the highest quantity, or numerator) and subscript (for the underside one, the divisor known as the denominator), however then, doesn’t the slash between them look unsuitable?

There are two cascading points:

• First, does your software program determine whenever you’re typing a fraction and convert it to one thing extra compact?
• Second, does the typeface you’re utilizing embrace “drawn” fractions for those in query?

What Phrase and Pages can do

Phrase solely routinely substitutes a small subset of typed numbers with the “appropriate” fractions from a typeface: 1/2, 1/4, and three/4.

Pages has a better selection. In my testing and seemingly relying on the typeface, it’s going to drop in all accessible fractions when the denominator is 2 up via 10 (from 1/2 to 9/10, say). So, kind 5/8, and also you get the neat wanting ⅝. Nevertheless, these fractions can range in look, as Pages will present ones which are each utilizing the design of the typeface and ones that look rather more generic and are clearly pulled from one other font.

Foundry

What for those who’re utilizing one thing that doesn’t match autoformatting? Otherwise you need one thing extra exact? You’ll be able to leap right into a guide course of with some shortcuts.

Format with “faux” fractions

We consider typefaces as having all essential letters, numbers, and symbols we have to write essays, experiences, and internet pages. In actual fact, few typefaces comprise each potential character, as most individuals want solely a sure variety of these for day-to-day use. A fancier typeface, one designed for extra subtle or subtler typographic functions, usually contains numerous extras, like many ligatures, or drawn-as-joined characters. The fi and ff ones are frequent, however some faces embrace st and Th as nicely.

With fractions, some fonts–particular person types of a typeface, like daring or 800 or condensed indirect–could have solely probably the most fundamental ratios, that are usually 1/2, 1/4, 3/4, 1/3, 2/3, and three/3. Others could fill out the fraction household for eighths, too.

Nevertheless, many fonts do embrace drawn superscripts and subscripts designed for use for footnotes, scientific notation, and fractions. These are created by the kind designer to have the identical really feel and weight as different characters in a given type of a typeface. However you must work to select them.

You’ll be able to select superscript (the higher quantity) and subscript (the decrease) for numerals through the use of styling selections in Phrase or Pages. When chosen, these apps don’t decide the drawn letter however somewhat shrink an everyday numeral down and reposition it vertically. This may make the fractions stand out awkwardly in case your doc is in any other case well-designed or even when it makes use of a single weight (like Georgia Roman) and a single dimension of a typeface. (You’ll be able to inform when somebody depends on footnotes that haven’t been given a designer’s move, as they the superscript numbers will appear lighter or thinner in comparison with the primary physique textual content—typically almost unreadably so.)

Nevertheless, this methodology is easy and quick; it’s applicable for private and casual makes use of. Right here’s how you can make “faux” superscripts and subscripts:

• In Phrase with Residence chosen within the toolbar, choose numbers within the textual content, after which click on the x-sub-2 and x-super-2 buttons.
• In Pages, with textual content chosen, both select Format > Font > Baseline after which Superscript or Subscript, or press Command-Management-plus for superscript or Command-Management-minus for subscript.

Format with “true” or drawn fractions

If you wish to intention for one thing typographically constant, you possibly can entry the drawn superscripts and subscripts in a font via the Character Viewer. In case you don’t know how you can entry this palette, see “How one can use macOS’s Character Viewer to kind emoji and different symbols.”

Caption: The Character Viewer provides you direct entry to picking well-proportioned fractions.

The best approach to make use of the Character Viewer to seek out fractions is to customise the show:

1. Click on the … (extra) image within the upper-left nook.
2. Select Customise Checklist.
3. Within the Symbols part, examine the Digits – All field.
4. Click on Performed.

Now whenever you deliver up the palette and click on Digits – All, you’ll see each quantity accessible in Unicode, which incorporates fractions and the characters for drawn superscripts and subscripts.

You’ll be able to drag or double-click any merchandise within the palette right into a doc. When you’ve got the textual content insertion cursor at a degree the place you possibly can enter textual content in Phrase or Pages, double-clicking inserts. In any other case, drag the character into the doc. In case you copy (Command+C) the fraction after which paste it, it’s going to paste the fraction and its character data; you possibly can delete the unneeded data.

It may be annoying to scroll every time to seek out what you want. To bypass the scrolling, select every fraction and click on Add to Favorites underneath its preview on the proper aspect of the viewer. Then you possibly can click on the Favorites hyperlink within the left-hand listing.

Foundry

I’ve discovered that in some typefaces, the superscript 1, 2, and three don’t match the opposite numbers, doubtless for historic causes. In case you discover that distinction, you’ve gotten a workaround that depends on OpenType options you possibly can entry via the Typography palette in Pages solely:

1. Press Command-T to open the Fonts palette.
2. Choose a numeral in your Pages doc.
3. Within the palette, click on the Extra … button to pick Typography and reveal the Typography palette.
4. Click on the Vertical Place part to point out choices, and select Superiors/Superscripts or Inferiors/Subscripts as applicable.

If the typeface comprises the right characters, you’ll then be capable of compose excellent fractions. You might also want to regulate character spacing to make the fractions look excellent: click on the gear menu within the Format > Textual content palette and scale back Character Spacing.

Get the correct ahead slash

There’s yet another subtlety you possibly can invoke if you wish to put the cherry on high of the fraction cake. There are a number of sorts of ahead slashes in most typefaces and outlined within the overarching Unicode format. An everyday slash is about 20 levels from the vertical; one used with a fraction is nearer to 30 levels. The fraction slash in a typeface suits extra neatly with the drawn superscript and subscripts, and have the right thickness of stroke to make all of it seem like a designed unit.

Search within the Character palette for “fraction slash” to seek out and fave that extra-special diagonal.

Construct what you want

In case you incessantly want fractions, you might construct a doc with frequent fractions constructed from superscripts, fraction slash, and subscripts, after which copy and paste them in as wanted into your major doc. Or you might kind regular fractions, like 5/8, after which search and substitute for that textual content, changing with drawn numbers like ⅝.