WD97: How to Insert a Slashed Zero (0 Overlaid with a /)

ID: Q181175

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Word, you can insert the slash "O" symbol in a document using the Symbol dialog box (on the Insert menu, click Symbol) or by pressing CTRL+/ and then pressing SHIFT+O. This symbol, which resembles a slashed zero, is actually the letter "O" not the number zero. This character is wider than a slashed zero and may not look correct when used as a number.

This article includes two methods you can use to create a slashed numerical zero character.

NOTE: Although the character generated by the following methods looks like a slashed zero, it is not a number and cannot be used as a number in calculations.

MORE INFORMATION

To create a slashed zero, you can use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use the Equation Field

1. On the Insert menu, click Field.

2. In the Field Names box, click Eq, and then click Options.

3. Under Switches, click \o(), and then click Add to Field.

   In the Field Options dialog box, under Field Codes, you should see a
   line that resembles the following:

      EQ \O()

4. Click between the parenthesis and type a zero, followed by a comma and a

   slash character.

   Your equation field should now resemble the following text:

      EQ \O (0,/)

5. Click OK to close the Field Options dialog box, and then click OK to

   close the Field dialog box.

NOTE: If you don't see the slashed zero in your document, you need to toggle the field codes. To do this:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. On the View tab, click to clear the Field Codes check box.

Method 2: Create a Macro

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

You can use the following example Visual Basic for Applications macro to add the Slash Zero EQ field to the document.

   Sub SlashZero()
      '
      ' SlashZero Macro
      '
      ' Add the Slash Zero EQ field to the document.
      Selection.Fields.Add Range:=Selection.Range, Type:=wdFieldEmpty, _
         Text:="EQ \o (0,/)", PreserveFormatting:=False
      ' Remove the extra space that is inserted in the field.
      ActiveWindow.View.ShowFieldCodes=Not ActiveWindow.View.ShowFieldCodes
      Selection.MoveLeft Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=2
      Selection.Delete Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1
      ' Move insertion point to the right of the field.
      ActiveWindow.View.ShowFieldCodes=Not ActiveWindow.View.ShowFieldCodes
      Selection.MoveRight Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1
   End Sub

NOTE: The macro can be added to a toolbar or menu by using Customize on the Tools menu.

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

   ARTICLE-ID: Q173707
   TITLE     : OFF97: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

For more information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q163435
   TITLE     : VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for
               Applications

Additional query words: field military OCR symbol time

Keywords          : kbdta kbmacroexample word97 
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999