WD: Creating Special Characters with Overstrike

ID: Q193777

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.1, 5.1a, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Word, you may want to use a character that is not supported by the ANSI character set or by your printer. You can create such characters by combining two characters using the overstrike capabilities of the Equation field (or a Formula in Word for the Macintosh versions 4x through 5.x).

MORE INFORMATION

Method 1: Use an equation Field (Word 2.x, Word 6.x, Word 7.0,).

To insert the field characters (braces) from the keyboard, press CTRL+F9 (COMMAND+F9 on the Macintosh).

The field {eq \o(o,-)} produces an "o" with a line through it.

   This part of the field  Does this
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   eq                      Tells Word it is an equation field

   \o                      Is the code for overstrike

   (o,-)                   Tells Word to overstrike the "o" with the "-"

Method 2: Use a Formula (Word 4.x or 5.x for the Macintosh).

To insert the .\ symbol from the keyboard, press COMMAND+OPTION+\ (backslash).

The formula .\o(o,-) produces an "o" with a line through it.

   This part of the formula   Does this
   --------------------------------------------------------

   .\                         Tells Word it is a Formula

   o                          Is the code for overstrike

   (o,-)                      Tells Word to overstrike the "o" with the "-"

You must apply formatting to the '-' character to raise it above the "o". To do this, use the appropriate procedure for your version of Word.

To apply a Raised format In Word 6.x & 7.0, follow these steps:

1. On the Format menu, click Font.

2. Click the Character Spacing tab.

3. Click the Position drop-down and select Raised.

To apply a superscript format in Microsoft Word 2.0 for Windows, follow these steps

1. On the Format menu, click Character.

2. Click Superscript from the Super/Subscript drop-down.

To apply a superscript format in Microsoft Word 4.x, 5.x for the Macintosh, follow these steps:

1. On the Format menu, click Character.

2. Click Superscript.

You can also use horizontal lines of different sizes and vertical positions to supplement the dash and underline characters found on the keyboard. Other line styles include the Times Roman characters 150 (em dash) and 151 (en dash) and the Symbol characters 45 (similar to a keyboard dash, but longer) and 190. The em and en dashes are also available in most standard fonts. The Symbol character 190 is the longest available horizontal line character.

Another Example--European "S" with a Superscript Dash (-)

Use the following equation field to create this character:

   {eq S\d\ba5()\s\up8(-)}

In Word for the Macintosh (versions 4.x through 5.x) use the following formula:

   S\d\ba5()\s\up8(-)

This example takes the uppercase "S" character, moves the (-) character back by 5 points, and then moves it up 8 points.

NOTE: If you are using Windows and the overstrike characters do not appear as expected, you may have a country other than the United States selected in the International dialog box. To change the country configuration, click the Control Panel icon in Explorer or Program Manager, click the International icon, and select United States under Country. The overstrike characters should be positioned correctly.

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q104966
   TITLE     : MW0170: Working with Formulas

"Microsoft Word for Windows User's Reference," version 1.x, pages 85, 135, 138-139, 352, 427-428

"Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide," version 2.0, pages 144, 146, 747-748, 752-756, 758

"Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.0, pages 567-570

Application Note "MW0170: Working with Formulas," which applies to Word 4.0, 5.0, and 5.1 for the Macintosh

Additional query words: long short vowel sounds vowels dictionary pronunciation accent accented over-strike strike over diacritical special

Version           : MACINTOSH:4.0,5.0,5.1,5.1a,6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:2.0,2.0a,2.0a-CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; WINNT:6.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: February 11, 1999