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4 Ways to Create a Fraction in Google Docs

Quick Tips
  • The Automatic substitution feature is an easy way to add fractions in Google Docs.
  • Superscript and Subscript functions can use forward slash to create fractions.
  • Equations menu uses math operators to create fractions.

Method 1. Create a Fraction by Setting Automatic Substitutions

The Automatic substitution method is the best if you use a set of fractions all the time. All you need to do is type in the usual way, and Google Docs will automatically replace it with predefined text.

Step 1: Open the Google Docs document you want to edit.

Create a Blank document

Step 2: On the Google Docs ribbon, click the Tools tab.

Step 3: Select Preferences. This should launch the Preferences dialog box.

Select preferences from Tools menu

Step 4: On the Preferences dialog box, click the Substitutions tab.

Step 5: In the Replace column, enter the numbers you want to use (e.g., 5/9, 7/10, 9/11, etc.).

Automatic Substitution Replace with

Step 6: In the With column, enter the fractions you want to convert them to (e.g., stacked fraction, skewed fraction, linear fraction, etc.).

Step 7: Repeat Steps 5 and 6 for all fractions you expect to use in the document, and click OK to save your changes.

Substitution list

Step 8: On the Google Docs canvas, type the numbers of the fraction you want, and Google Docs should substitute it with your preferred replacement.

Method 2. Create a Fraction From the Special Characters Menu

If you use fractions occasionally, use the special characters menu, which includes some of the most commonly used fractions.

Step 1: On the Google Docs ribbon, click the Insert tab.

Step 2: Select Special Characters from the context menu. This will launch the Insert special characters dialog box.

Special Characters Menu

Step 3: In the search bar, type fraction in the search box.

Step 4: Select your desired fraction to insert it into your document.

 Insert special characters

Step 5: After inserting your preferred fractions, click the x sign to close the Insert special characters dialog box.

Method 3. Create a Fraction From the Equations Menu

Step 1: On the Google Docs ribbon, click the Insert tab.

Step 2: Select Equation from the context menu. This will reveal a new line of tools below the Google Docs ribbon with equations of different categories.

Equation menu in Insert

Step 3: Click on New equation, then select the Math operations drop-down.

New Equation Math operations

Step 4: Select the fraction icon from the drop-down.

Fraction icon

Step 5: On the Word canvas, enter the numerator and denominator for the fraction.

Enter the numerator and denominator for the fraction.

Method 4. Create a Fraction With Superscript and Subscript Functions

Step 1: Place your cursor on the Google Docs canvas.

Step 2: Hold down the following keys on your keyboard to enter superscript mode – Ctrl + .; alternatively, click the Format tab and select the Text drop-down to get superscript mode.

Superscript and Subscript

Step 3: Type your numerator and repeat the superscript shortcut to return to standard text.

Type fraction

Step 4: Tap the forward slash key (/) on your keyboard to imitate the fraction bar.

Forward slash key

Step 5: Hold down the following keys on your keyboard to enter subscript mode – control + ,; alternatively, click the Format tab and select the Text drop-down to get subscript mode.

Alternatively, click the Format tab and select the Text drop-down to get subscript mode.

Step 6: Type your denominator and repeat the subscript shortcut to return to standard text.

Fractions in Google Docs

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Last updated on 03 September, 2024

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