If you frequently use the Microsoft Office text editor, you will have already realized that it has countless functionalities that go beyond those visible at first glance. In this way, even the most advanced users may find that there are things that they do not know how to do or that they had not even imagined could be done with this tool. In your case, if you want to know how to put mathematical symbols in Word, it's time to resolve your doubts.
Although the text editor does not automatically perform calculations like Excel can do, it is very useful for writing documents that contain different types of formulas. Therefore, we are going to see how to put a square in Word and other more or less common mathematical symbols.
How to square in Word
To write a number with an exponent, for example if you want to write a figure squared or cubed, you can do it very easily.
Open the Word document you are working on and type the base figure followed by its exponent. That is, if you want to write four squared, write this: 42.
Next, select with the mouse the number you want to be the exponent, which in our example is two. And press “Ctrl++”. This activates exponent mode, and to exit it you just have to press the same key combination again.
An interesting fact to keep in mind is that this system also works for letters. So you can turn one term into the exponent of another.
If this formula does not work for you, it is possible that your version of Word is outdated. Try updating your program to fix the problem.
Another way to write superscripts or subscripts is the following:
- Write the text or number you want. Indicating the base figure and right next to it the exponent.
- Select the text or number you want to convert into an exponent.
- Go to the “Home” tab and select “Superscript” or “Subscript”.
There is still one more alternative with keyboard shortcuts:
- Select the number or text you want to convert into an exponent.
- If you want to make a superscript press: “Ctrl Shift +”, all at the same time.
- For the subscript press “Ctrl =” simultaneously.
How to put mathematical symbols in Word quickly and easily
The latest versions of the Microsoft Office text editor allow us to insert special characters and mathematical symbols like “greater than”, “less than” or “infinity”, among others, in a very quick and simple way.
All you have to do is click in the document right where you want the symbol to go. Then you go to the “Insert” tab and from there click on “Symbols”. This opens a drop-down menu that shows you options for writing equations or adding symbols.
If you click on “Symbol” a drop-down menu opens containing the most common mathematical and non-mathematical symbols. Select the one you are interested in and click “Insert”, then click on “Close” and you are ready, the symbol will appear in your text.
Put mathematical symbols in Word with LaTeX
For advanced users, it is interesting to know how to put mathematical symbols in Word with LaTeX notation, which allows you to write equations and symbols in a more efficient way.
LaTeX is a markup language that describes the structure and content of a document. Hence It is especially powerful when it comes to writing mathematical formulas accurately. and flexibility in presentation.
How to use LaTeX in Word
- Open the Word equation editor from the tab “Insert” > “Symbols” > “Equation”.
- In the equation box that appears, write the formula using LaTeX commands.
- So that the system understands that you are using this language, write “\” followed by the corresponding command. You could end up with something like this: \frac{a}{b}.
The great advantage of using LaTeX to write mathematical formulas is that it provides great precision and clarity. For people who are familiar with this language, its use may be easier than using the usual system of writing equations in Word. In addition, it guarantees that all mathematical equations and symbols will appear uniformly throughout the document.
To enjoy these advantages it is not necessary that you become an expert in this language, learning a few basic commands is more than enough to write formulas for quadratic equations, fractions, summations, integrals and matrices.
Why is it useful to know how to put mathematical symbols in Word?
Adding mathematical symbols to a text document can be useful in educational and professional settings. Here are some examples:
Create academic and educational documents
If you are a teacher or a student who has to write scientific articles or research papers in disciplines such as mathematics, physics, engineering or economics, on more than one occasion you will have to include mathematical symbols and even equations in your documents.
Prepare technical documentation
As a writer, if the time comes when you have to create a technical manual or user guide that requires a detailed explanation of formulas or equations, you will have to know how to use this Word functionality to be able to do your work.
Make presentations more professional
If you have to deliver a report or make a presentation that involves the use of mathematical formulas, it is essential that these are well written in the document. This way your presentation is more professional and precise.
In addition, including mathematical symbols allows for clearer and more precise communication of concepts that may be complex for the audience.
Knowing how to enter mathematical symbols in Word is essential to be able to carry out precise and professional communication in different fields, improving the clarity and quality of documents created both at an academic and work level. With the integrated tools of the Microsoft text editor you can achieve very good results but, if you want to go one step further and gain effectiveness, you can try using LaTeX notation.