Using the backslash character

[williamhersh]

I used to use the backslash character to create math equations. Now,
when I go to the help menu (Word 2004, Mac), I find all the
instructions (i.e. \f(a,b) for fractions, or \o() for overstrike, and {
EQ etc } for equations), but none of these work - that is, page view
just show the above typing. I used the Equation editor to do what I
wanted, but this used to be convenient in Word 5.1. Anyone know what
is wrong? Thanks.

 

[little_creature]

I think you have to say Word that it's field. So what I do is Insert>field
and then type your {EQ \A() }.

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Or you can hit cmd-F9, which inserts the field braces { }, and type the EQ
etc directly between them. But you can't just type shift-[ to get a { and
have a field.

 

[williamhersh]

Thanks for the replies - pretty horrible instructions in the MS 2004
Help menu. I can get field or the braces trick to work for equations,
but not overstrike, where the help menu doesn't mention the word field,
so I don't know which one to insert.

Or you can hit cmd-F9, which inserts the field braces { }, and type the EQ
etc directly between them. But you can't just type shift-[ to get a { and
have a field.

I think you have to say Word that it's field. So what I do is Insert>field
and then type your {EQ \A() }.

--
Daiya Mitchell, MVP Mac/Word
Word FAQ: http://www.word.mvps.org/
MacWord Tips: <http://word.mvps.org/Mac/WordMacHome.html>
What's an MVP? A volunteer! Read the FAQ:

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Overstrikes are the same things as macrons? The field method below is
working here.

You can use an EQ field.
Hit command-F9 to enter field braces {}. Between the braces, type:
eq \o(x,¯)

Enter the ¯ by typing Shift-option-comma.

For a formatted text method that does not involve fields, see:
http://mcgimpsey.com/macoffice/word/macron.html

Thanks for the replies - pretty horrible instructions in the MS 2004
Help menu. I can get field or the braces trick to work for equations,
but not overstrike, where the help menu doesn't mention the word field,
so I don't know which one to insert.

Or you can hit cmd-F9, which inserts the field braces { }, and type the EQ
etc directly between them. But you can't just type shift-[ to get a { and
have a field.

I think you have to say Word that it's field. So what I do is Insert>field
and then type your {EQ \A() }.



On 9.10.2006 14:16, in article
(e-mail address removed),

I used to use the backslash character to create math equations. Now,
when I go to the help menu (Word 2004, Mac), I find all the
instructions (i.e. \f(a,b) for fractions, or \o() for overstrike, and {
EQ etc } for equations), but none of these work - that is, page view
just show the above typing. I used the Equation editor to do what I
wanted, but this used to be convenient in Word 5.1. Anyone know what
is wrong? Thanks.

--
Daiya Mitchell, MVP Mac/Word
Word FAQ: http://www.word.mvps.org/
MacWord Tips: <http://word.mvps.org/Mac/WordMacHome.html>
What's an MVP? A volunteer! Read the FAQ:

 

[williamhersh]

Many thanks - finally got it. I remain annoyed at Microsoft Office
Help, which if you search on "overstrike" tells you to use \o(), but
never mentions anything about inserting a field, or using command-F9,
or using eq. Not very helpful. But, I am grateful to both of you for
stepping in and providing help - thanks again.

Overstrikes are the same things as macrons? The field method below is
working here.

You can use an EQ field.
Hit command-F9 to enter field braces {}. Between the braces, type:
eq \o(x,¯)

Enter the ¯ by typing Shift-option-comma.

For a formatted text method that does not involve fields, see:
http://mcgimpsey.com/macoffice/word/macron.html

Thanks for the replies - pretty horrible instructions in the MS 2004
Help menu. I can get field or the braces trick to work for equations,
but not overstrike, where the help menu doesn't mention the word field,
so I don't know which one to insert.

Or you can hit cmd-F9, which inserts the field braces { }, and type the EQ
etc directly between them. But you can't just type shift-[ to get a {and
have a field.


On 10/9/06 6:05 AM, "little_creature" wrote:

I think you have to say Word that it's field. So what I do is Insert>field
and then type your {EQ \A() }.



On 9.10.2006 14:16, in article
(e-mail address removed),

I used to use the backslash character to create math equations. Now,
when I go to the help menu (Word 2004, Mac), I find all the
instructions (i.e. \f(a,b) for fractions, or \o() for overstrike, and {
EQ etc } for equations), but none of these work - that is, page view
just show the above typing. I used the Equation editor to do what I
wanted, but this used to be convenient in Word 5.1. Anyone know what
is wrong? Thanks.


--
Daiya Mitchell, MVP Mac/Word
Word FAQ: http://www.word.mvps.org/
MacWord Tips: <http://word.mvps.org/Mac/WordMacHome.html>
What's an MVP? A volunteer! Read the FAQ: http://mvp.support.microsoft..com/

--
Daiya Mitchell, MVP Mac/Word
Word FAQ: http://www.word.mvps.org/
MacWord Tips: <http://word.mvps.org/Mac/WordMacHome.html>
What's an MVP? A volunteer! Read the FAQ:

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Glad it's sorted.

You can use Send | Feedback under Help to report the flaws in the Help text.
Help seems to assume that you have read the EQ fields topic and followed the
Overstrike link from that, rather than searching for Overstrike. This is a
pretty silly assumption for Help text to make. It also seems to assume that
one knows anything with "switches" means a field, similarly silly.
Likewise, the EQ field topic assumes some basic knowledge about
fields--which would be okay if they linked to that basic knowledge just in
case.

Daiya

Many thanks - finally got it. I remain annoyed at Microsoft Office
Help, which if you search on "overstrike" tells you to use \o(), but
never mentions anything about inserting a field, or using command-F9,
or using eq. Not very helpful. But, I am grateful to both of you for
stepping in and providing help - thanks again.

Overstrikes are the same things as macrons? The field method below is
working here.

You can use an EQ field.
Hit command-F9 to enter field braces {}. Between the braces, type:
eq \o(x,¯)

Enter the ¯ by typing Shift-option-comma.

For a formatted text method that does not involve fields, see:
http://mcgimpsey.com/macoffice/word/macron.html

Thanks for the replies - pretty horrible instructions in the MS 2004
Help menu. I can get field or the braces trick to work for equations,
but not overstrike, where the help menu doesn't mention the word field,
so I don't know which one to insert.


Daiya Mitchell wrote:
Or you can hit cmd-F9, which inserts the field braces { }, and type the EQ
etc directly between them. But you can't just type shift-[ to get a { and
have a field.


On 10/9/06 6:05 AM, "little_creature" wrote:

I think you have to say Word that it's field. So what I do is Insert>field
and then type your {EQ \A() }.



On 9.10.2006 14:16, in article
(e-mail address removed),

I used to use the backslash character to create math equations. Now,
when I go to the help menu (Word 2004, Mac), I find all the
instructions (i.e. \f(a,b) for fractions, or \o() for overstrike, and {
EQ etc } for equations), but none of these work - that is, page view
just show the above typing. I used the Equation editor to do what I
wanted, but this used to be convenient in Word 5.1. Anyone know what
is wrong? Thanks.