WD: Superscript and Subscript Underline Misaligns in Word

ID: Q81418

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 4.0
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a, 5.1, 5.1a
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word, the underline for subscript text does not align with the underline for normal text. This problem also occurs with superscript text if you are using Word for Windows versions 6.0c and earlier or Microsoft Word for the Macintosh versions 6.0.1 and earlier.

WORKAROUND

Method 1: Use the Line Tool

In Word versions 6.0 and later, use the Line tool on the Drawing toolbar to draw lines under the text to simulate underlining.

TIP: Hold down the SHIFT key while drawing lines will help keep the line horizontal.

Method 2: Use an Equation Field to Create an Underscore Character

Create an equation field using the overstrike function to underscore words or phrases that contain superscript and subscript characters, similar to the following

   Syntax: {eq \o(<Text>,<Underscore characters>)}

as in the following example:

   {eq \o(Apple,_____)}

The braces for the equation field are created by pressing CTRL+F9 (COMMAND+F9 on the Macintosh). Type the text between the braces.

In Word for the Macintosh (versions 4.x through 6) create the same effect with a formula similar to the following

   Syntax: {eq .\o(<Text>,<Underscore characters>)}

as in the following example:

   {eq .\o(Apple,_____)}

A formula is designated in Word for the Macintosh (versions 4.x through 6) by inserting the special symbol .\ and then entering the one-letter typesetting command corresponding to the type of element you want to set up. To create the .\ symbol, press COMMAND+OPTION+\ (backslash).

NOTE: In Word 98 Macintosh Edition, type a plain \ (backslash) instead of the special .\ (COMMAND+OPTION+\) when creating formulas.

For all versions of Word, in the syntax above, <Text> is the string containing all the text to be underlined (normal as well as superscript and subscript text), and <Underscore characters> are the actual characters to underscore the "Text" characters.

NOTE: The underscore character may not match the one used by the underline character format command. You may need to experiment with different underscore characters (different fonts, point sizes, and so forth) to achieve a continuous underscore effect.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words: underscored

Keywords          : kbprint kbualink97 wordnt word8 kbfield winword ntword macword word6 winword2 word7 word95 kbFont kbformat macword5 
Version           : MACINTOSH:4.0,5.0,5.10,6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a,98;WINDOWS:2.0,2.0a,2.0a- CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: November 12, 1998