Microsoft KB Archive/100942

Pile of Equations Don't Align at Relational Signs (=, <, etc.)

Q100942

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The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Equation Editor, versions 1.0, 1.0b
• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a, 5.1, 5.1a
• Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.1
• Apple operating system, versions 6.0.2, 6.0.3, 6.0.5, 6.0.7, 6.0.8, 7.0, 7.1

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SYMPTOMS

When you align a pile of equations at a relational sign denoting an inequality or an equivalence relationship (=, <, >, and so forth) using the Format Align At= command in Microsoft Equation Editor, some equations may not align as expected.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you insert the relational sign as part of an argument in the formula. The Align At= command only recognizes relational signs that you insert with the insertion point at the baseline of the formula; it does not recognize such signs that you insert with the insertion point inside the argument of a formula.

RESOLUTION

To properly insert a relational sign in Equation Editor that aligns correctly using the Align At = command, use the following steps:

1. Create the left side of the equation.
2. Press the TAB key as necessary to move the insertion point to the baseline of the equation. (The vertical line of the insertion point should be at the far right, and the horizontal line should be below the entire formula).
3. Type the desired relational sign or insert a symbol from the Relational Symbols palette.
4. Complete the equation.

The misalignment described above happens most frequently when you create equations that include integrals and summations.

The Align At = command aligns a stack of equations at any relational symbol. This includes any of the symbols on the Relational Symbols palette as well as the equal sign (=), the greater than symbol (<), and the less than symbol (>).

Use the following procedure to manually align a line in a pile of equations if you cannot modify it using the above steps:

1. Select the misaligned equation.
2. Press CMD+LEFT ARROW or CMD+RIGHT ARROW to nudge the equation to the correct location.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Equation Editor User's Guide," Word for the Macintosh, pages 79-81, 50

"Microsoft Equation Editor User's Guide," version 1.0, pages 40, 46-47, 50, 79-80, 82

Additional query words: 1.00 3.00 3.10 2.00a 2.00a- CD 2.00b 2.00c stack stacked piled equality sign

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Last Reviewed: December 4, 1999 © 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.