Equation Editor
Equation Editor in Microsoft Word for Windows
Introduction
Scientists and Engineers are required to convey information by formatted text documents rather than hand-written documents. Such documents will include information in various formats eg, text, tabular, diagram, equation and graphs. This document outlines the steps required to produce equations in Word for Windows®.
The following equation had been produce using normal text functions;
E = m c2
This equation was typed using text, superscript, spaces (to see the spaces set your view to show all formatting marks; from the toolbar choose Tools, then Options and in View tick formatting marks þ spaces) and italics.
The superscript (2) was achieved using the Ctrl and ñ keys held together and + and then 2[1]. The equation was separated from normal text by using italics (Ctrl and i). In fact the most important part of this equation is the use of spaces.
The same equation without spaces it all together different (E=mc2) and less aesthetic.
Many simple equations (and chemical formula) can be written using key board functions:
CH4 +O2 = CO2 + 2 H2O
subscript (2) using Ctrl and = keys held together and then 21,
T = √(2 a s)
To get square root sign: Insert Symbol and the √ is selected from symbols available in normal text.
The use of normal text is limited for more complicated formula such as any equation that includes division. For example, the Effectiveness (E) of a counter-flow heat exchanger is given by :-
Irrespective of the purpose of this formula, it must be acknowledged that it would be difficult (but not impossible) to produce by standard text!
This equation was produced using the equation editor in Word. This function adds a frame into a word document and the equation is built within this frame. The equation editor is remote from the word document and all functions in the editor relate to the equation under construction. This editor is a WYSIWYG[2] editor and is straightforward to use provided that simple rules are followed:
· Plan the equation and especially the use of spaces
· Do not put many equations in the same frame (memory problems and ‘hanging’ may result)
· Keep (explanatory) text separate from the equation (advanced use of the editor allows text)
To create an equation frame and to activate the editor; Insert, Object and select Microsoft Equation 3.0, OK.
You will get the following editing window:
The equation frame is where the equation is constructed and the toolbar contains formatting option required to produce the equation. In the equation editor the following is true;
· All keyboard characters are valid except ‘spaces’
· But the only algebraic characters that should be used from the keyboard are + and =
· Formatting can only be done using the editor functions (eg cannot use Ctrl B for bold). Although cut, paste and movement of cursor can be used.
Selecting each segment of the toolbar will offer a number of options from this category. Selecting for example, bracket style will open up a menu of different styles to select.
Within the equation editor the cursor ( │ ) indicates the position of the next character or symbol.
In the equation shown above, the cursor is located between the right bracket and the subscript inside therefore the next character would be inserted here. The cursor can be moved using the mouse or the ← ↑ → ↓ keys. The size of the cursor is indicative of the characters ‘prominence’ in the equation. In the example above the next symbol in the equation at the position of the cursor would be full-size. If the cursor was inside the bracket in the denominator, or in the subscript then its size would be the same at the text or symbols in that part of the equation and the next characters typed would be the size of the cursor.
Once the equation has been constructed the editor can be closed, returning to normal Word functions. The equation can be copied, located in the document, re-sized (dragging frame) etc using normal Word functions.
Double clicking on an equation will invoke the equation editor. Copying an equation and double clicking on it is a good means of starting a new equation. Within the equation editor it is possible to edit the equation by removing or adding text, copying, placing text inside brackets etc.
Finally, copy an equation from this document and experiment or see how it has been constructed.
In this equation the ‘and’ and the ‘thus’ are text style, see the style options from the toolbar.
In the following example there is a mixture of text constructed equations and equation editor constructed equations.
Before mixing
After mixing s (T,Vmix) = Si si (T, V) = Si sI (T, pi) by Gibbs-Dalton Law
Thus
(Note the use of logarithm rules to simplify the equation.)
Lastly, a conversion from 90 km/h into m/s
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[1] To cancel superscript or subscript use the same combination of keys.
[2] What You See Is What You Get