The right way to 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 write down partial quantities (corresponding to 2.5), we regularly 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’ll be able to simply be stymied when typing in Microsoft Phrase or Apple’s Pages: not all fractions look like “accessible.” You’ll be able to simulate them by utilizing 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 embody “drawn” fractions for those in query?

What Phrase and Pages can do

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

Pages has a larger selection. In my testing and seemingly relying on the typeface, it would 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. Nonetheless, these fractions can fluctuate 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 “pretend” fractions

We consider typefaces as having all mandatory letters, numbers, and symbols we have to write essays, reviews, and net 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, typically consists of numerous extras, like many ligatures, or drawn-as-joined characters. The fi and ff ones are widespread, however some faces embody st and Th as properly.

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

Nonetheless, many fonts do embody 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 model of a typeface. However it’s important to work to choose them.

You’ll be able to select superscript (the higher quantity) and subscript (the decrease) for numerals by utilizing styling selections in Phrase or Pages. When chosen, these apps don’t decide the drawn letter however somewhat shrink a daily 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 measurement of a typeface. (You’ll be able to inform when somebody depends on footnotes that haven’t been given a designer’s go, as they the superscript numbers will appear lighter or thinner in comparison with the principle physique textual content—typically almost unreadably so.)

Nonetheless, this technique is simple and quick; it’s applicable for private and casual makes use of. Right here’s the way to make “pretend” superscripts and subscripts:

• In Phrase with Dwelling 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’ll be able to entry the drawn superscripts and subscripts in a font via the Character Viewer. Should you don’t know the way to entry this palette, see “The right way to use macOS’s Character Viewer to kind emoji and different symbols.”

Caption: The Character Viewer provides you direct entry to selecting 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 Record.
3. Within the Symbols part, examine the Digits – All field.
4. Click on Carried out.

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. In case you have the textual content insertion cursor at some extent the place you’ll be able to enter textual content in Phrase or Pages, double-clicking inserts. In any other case, drag the character into the doc. Should you copy (Command+C) the fraction after which paste it, it would paste the fraction and its character information; you’ll be able to delete the unneeded information.

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 beneath its preview on the proper facet of the viewer. Then you’ll be able to click on the Favorites hyperlink within the left-hand record.

Foundry

I’ve discovered that in some typefaces, the superscript 1, 2, and three don’t match the opposite numbers, doubtless for historic causes. Should you discover that distinction, you have got a workaround that depends on OpenType options you’ll be able to 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 indicate choices, and select Superiors/Superscripts or Inferiors/Subscripts as applicable.

If the typeface incorporates the proper characters, you’ll then be capable of compose good fractions. You may additionally want to regulate character spacing to make the fractions look good: click on the gear menu within the Format > Textual content palette and cut back Character Spacing.

Get the proper ahead slash

There’s another subtlety you’ll be able to invoke if you wish to put the cherry on prime of the fraction cake. There are a number of sorts of ahead slashes in most typefaces and outlined within the overarching Unicode format. A daily 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 proper thickness of stroke to make all of it appear to be a designed unit.

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

Construct what you want

Should you often want fractions, you could possibly construct a doc with widespread fractions constructed from superscripts, fraction slash, and subscripts, after which copy and paste them in as wanted into your principal doc. Or you could possibly kind regular fractions, like 5/8, after which search and substitute for that textual content, changing with drawn numbers like ⅝.