Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Professional Looking Fractions.
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 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Professional Looking Fractions.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
Easily seeing where all the formulas are in your worksheet can be handy. Here are some ideas on different ways you can ...
Discover MoreYou can use the Paste Special feature in Excel to multiple the values in a range of cells. If you don't want Excel to ...
Discover MoreIf you have some cells merged in a worksheet, and you wrap text within that merged cell, Excel won't automatically resize ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2014-06-28 11:13:00
John
Another option to get the numerator above the denominator with a horizontal line between is to use two cells, one above the other, and add a bottom border to the top cell. You can add a whole number to the left of these cells by merging the whole number cells vertically. Any formulas that use these numbers will first need to calculate them as whole + (numerator / denominator).
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: 
Comments