Professional Looking Fractions

Summary: If you prefer more professional-looking fractions than what is produced when you type a number, a slash, and another number, then your options are rather limited in Excel. This tip describes those options and the drawbacks of using them. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, and Excel 2003.)

Excel allows you to easily use formatted fractions in a cell. This is done by using one of the built-in cell formats available in the Number tab of the Format Cells dialog box. Unfortunately, that only results in fractions appearing as two numbers separated by a slash, as in 23/24.

If you want real-looking fractions, where the dividend is actually situated over the divisor, then you are unfortunately limited in what can be done. One option is to use the Equation Editor tool, and another is to locate and use a special font that allows you to position numbers the way you want.

Unfortunately, both approaches result in numbers that can't be used in formulas or calculations. The Equation Editor actually inserts a graphic object, and using special fonts result in numbers being treated as text in the result.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2330) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Professional Looking Fractions