How to Overline Characters in Microsoft Word

Two simple ways to add a line over text and equations in Word

So you know how to underline just about anything in Word, but what if you need to overline something? This is a fairly common occurrence in statistics and other scientific fields, but Word doesn't exactly make it easy. There are a couple different ways you can do it using either field codes or the equation tool; see Step 1 below to learn how.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Field Codes

  1. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 1
    1
    Save your file. Field codes can be finicky, and have been known to crash Word. Save your file before proceeding so that you have a version to go back to if things don't go right. You can also create a copy as an extra layer of protection.
  2. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 2
    2
    Create a field code. Press Ctrl + F9 in Windows or Command + F9 on a Mac to create the field code brackets {}. The brackets will be highlighted with a gray color. In order to over line the text you want, you'll need to create a specialized field code. You will not be able to select text and apply the effect; instead, you will be typing the test you want over lined into the field code function itself.
    • Field codes will work on all versions of Word, for both Windows and Mac.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 3
    3
    Enter in the overline function. Type the following in between the brackets: EQ \x \to(). There is a space between "EQ" and "\x", as well as a space between "\x" and "to()". Make sure not to include any extra spaces, or the function will not work.
    • If you copy the formula from this article and paste it into your document, Word will most likely add spaces at each end, which will cause the field code to not work. Type it out yourself for best results.
  4. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 4
    4
    Enter in the text you want over-lined. Place your cursor between the parentheses in the field code. Type the text you want, including any spaces. Your function should look like this: {EQ \x \to(your text goes here)}. Keep your cursor in the field code when you are finished.
  5. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 5
    5
    Apply the field. Once you are finished entering your code and text, you can convert the field code into the finished product. With your cursor inside the field code, press Shift + F9. This will convert the code, displaying the text you entered in the parentheses with a line over it.
    • Using the overline effect will most likely skew your line spacing, so be sure to review your whole document to see if anything was affected.
  6. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 6
    6
    Troubleshoot a non-working code. Field codes are powerful scripting tools, and can cause problems if not used correctly. If the formula was entered incorrectly in any way, the code may disappear, or your program may even crash. Make sure that you aren't inserting extra spaces or characters, and that the formula is typed exactly as seen above.
    • If your code disappears, press Shift + F9 to toggle it back to the code view. You can then review your code and make any necessary changes.[1]
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Equation Function

  1. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 7
    1
    Insert an equation object. You can use the Equation Editor to apply the mathematical overline accent to your text. The overline effect produced is slightly different than the field code function. You cannot select your text and then apply the equation, you will have to enter the text after creating the equation.
    • To insert an equation, click the Insert tab. Click the Equation button in the Symbols section. If you are using Word 2003 or XP, click Insert → Object → Microsoft Equation 3.0.
  2. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 8
    2
    Choose the over bar accent. Before typing your text, add the accent. Click the Accents button in your Design section. There are actually to slightly different options you can pick from if you want an overline over your test. You can choose either the Bar, located in the Accents section, or the Overbar, located in the Over bars and Under bars section. Choose one and a small dotted box will appear in your formula field.
  3. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 9
    3
    Enter your text. Click the small dotted box and begin entering your test. You will see the overline effect applied immediately as you type. When you are finished, click outside of the formula field.
  4. Image titled Overline Characters in Microsoft Word Step 10
    4
    Troubleshoot a non-working formula. If you can't get the overline to appear, chances are you didn't have the small dotted box selected when you entered your text. You must select it in order to type with the overline effect. Any text outside of the box will not be affected.[2]
    5. Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Insert Symbols in an MS Word Document
How to
Insert Symbols in an MS Word Document
Convert an RTF File into MS Word Document
How to
Convert an RTF File into MS Word Document
Remove a Blank Page in Word
How to
Remove a Blank Page in Word
Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
How to
Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
Create an Index in Word
How to
Create an Index in Word
Insert Page Numbers in WordEasily Add Page Numbers to a Word Document on Any Platform
Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
How to
Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
Convert Excel to Word3 Easy Ways to Convert Microsoft Excel Data to Word
Insert a Check Box in Word
How to
Insert a Check Box in Word
Convert a JPEG Image Into an Editable Word Document3 Free Ways to Convert JPEG Into an Editable Word Document
Make Two Columns in Word2 Easy Ways to Make Two Columns in Microsoft Word
Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word3 Simple Ways to Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
Make a Booklet in Word6 Ways to Format and Print a Booklet in Word
Insert a Line in Word4 Simple Ways to Insert a Line in Microsoft Word
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://wordfaqs.mvps.org/Overbar.htm
  2. ↑ http://cybertext.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/word-adding-a-bar-over-a-letter/

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 25 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 474,781 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 25
Updated: May 25, 2022
Views: 474,781
Categories: Microsoft Word
Advertisement