4 Ways to Write a Fraction in Microsoft Word

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Method 1: Using Equations

Unlike the symbols and autoformat options, which present limited fraction types to insert in your document, you can try creating your fraction using equations. Here’s how to do so:

Step 1:On the Microsoft Word Ribbon, click theInserttab.

Step 2:Within the Symbols group, click theEquationdrop-down button.

Step 3:ClickInsert New Equationto open an Equation tab on the Ribbon.

Step 4:Click theFraction drop-downfrom the Structures group in the Equation tab.

Step 5:From the Fraction drop-down menu, select thepreferred formfor your fraction. This will insert the fraction’s format on the Word canvas.

Step 6:On the Word canvas, enter thenumeratoranddenominatorfor your fraction.

Method 2: Using AutoFormat

In Microsoft Word, you can enable a setting to format common fractions to their typical symbol automatically. When you type a fraction like 1/2, Word will convert it to the format ½. Here’s how to enable the setting on your Word document:

Step 1:Launch theMicrosoft Word app.

Step 2:On the Word Ribbon, click on theFile tabat the top-left corner.

Step 3:Scroll to the bottom of the File menu and click onMoreorOptionsto reveal a collapsed menu.

Step 4:ClickOptionsfrom the menu.

Step 5:From the Word Options pop-up window, clickProofingfrom the left sidebar.

Step 6:Scroll down the Proofing menu and click theAutoCorrect Optionsbutton to launch a new AutoCorrect box for the language setting enabled for your Microsoft Word document.

Step 7:Go to theAutoFormat As You Typetab.

Step 8:In the Replace as you type group, tick the box forFractions (1/2) with fraction character (½).

Step 9:ClickOKto save your changes.

Step 10:Type a fraction like 3/4 on your Word Canvas, and it should change to a fraction character (¾).

The autoformat method will only work for popular fractions such as ½, ¾, etc. Fractions such as 1/9, 5/8, etc., may not benefit from this method. However, there are other methods you can use below to get the right fraction format.

Method 3: Using AutoCorrect

The AutoFormat option only works with popular fractions in Word’s default autoformat list. You can expand this list by including new fractions in AutoCorrect. Here’s how to do so:

Step 1:On the Word Ribbon, click on theFile tabat the top-left corner.

Step 2:Scroll to the bottom of the File menu and click onMoreorOptionsto reveal a collapsed menu.

Step 3:ClickOptionsfrom the menu.

Step 4:From the Word Options pop-up window, clickProofingfrom the left sidebar.

Step 5:Scroll down the proofing menu and click theAutoCorrect Optionsbutton to launch a new AutoCorrect box for the language setting enabled for your Microsoft Word document.

Step 6:Click theAutoCorrecttab.

Step 7:Tick the box forReplace text as you type.

Step 8:In theReplacefield, enter the simple form of the fraction (e.g., 1/8).

Step 9:In theWithfield, enter the standard form of the fraction (e.g., ⅛) and clickAdd. You can search the web for the standard form of the fractions you want.

Step 10:Repeat for all the fractions you want to create > clickOKto save your changes.

When you type 1/8 on the Word canvas, it should be replaced with ⅛. You may also exploreadditional AutoCorrect settings.

Method 4: Using Symbols

Microsoft Word has a special character utility that allows you to view and insert special symbols and equations into your document. Here’s how to use it to create a fraction in your document.

Step 1:On the Microsoft Word Ribbon, click theInserttab.

Step 2:Within the Symbols group, click theSymboldrop-down button.

Step 3:Select theMore Symbolsoption to launch the Symbol dialog box.

Step 4:From the Symbol dialog box, go to theSymbolstab.

Step 5:Click theFont drop-downand select(normal text).

Step 6:Click theSubset drop-downand selectNumber Forms.

Step 7:Select a fraction you want to insert in the document and clickInsert.

As with the AutoFormat option, the types of fractions in the Symbols utility are limited.

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Last updated on 08 August, 2024

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