Banner Text/Applications with the EQ Field

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This Microsoft Word Help and Tips Page shows you how to apply a simple eye catching banner using the EQ field and switches. Let's use the text FOR SALE

1. Type the expression: EQ \x\to\bo(FOR SALE)

2. Select the field and press CTRL+F9

3. Right click and press "toggle field code"

4. Apply other font effects (e.g., size, color, etc.) to the displayed text.

If you would use this method frequently, you might like to use the following simple macro:

Public Sub Banner()

Dim Expr As String

Expr = InputBox("Enter the text to banner:", "Apply Banner")

If Expr <> "" Then

ActiveDocument.Fields.Add Range:=Selection.Range, _

Type:=wdFieldEmpty, _

Text:="EQ \x\to\bo(" & Expr & ")", _

PreserveFormatting:=False

End If

End Sub

4. Need help applying a macro? See fellow MVP Graham Mayor's Installing Macros From Listings

5. Another handy application of the EQ field box switch (\x) is in representing NAND and NOR logic statements. Just eliminate the \bo modifier in the field and/or macro code above leaving the \to modifier.

6. Modifiers \to \bo \ri \le can be used singly or in combination to apply top, bottom, right, and left borders or any combination around the text. Omit all modifiers leaving only the box switch \x for a complete border.

Do you need an over score mark on a letter or number. For example the mathematical mean symbol. You could use a \x box switch like in the previous examples, but you have no control over the spacing of the over score and as you can see in the example it doesn't look as good.

1. Type the expression: EQ \o(x,¯)

NOTE

Press CTRL+ALT+Keypad "-" minus sig to enter an em dash. Or you can use the ¯ (overscore symbol) by activating NumLock and press ALT+0175.

2. Select the expression and press CTRL+F9.

3. Right click the expression and toggle field codes.

Would you use this frequently? It would be simple edit the Banner macro above, but AUTOTEXT is a great alternative.

To create the AutoText entry:

1. Select the mathematical mean symbol that you just created.

2. Press ALT+F3

3. Name it say "mathmean"

4. Click ok.

5. Start typing mathm..., when the AutoComplete tip fires, press enter.

NOTE

To fire AutoText you must verify Tools>Autocorrect Options>AutoText and check "show autocomplete tips" is checked.

The EQ field overstrike switch (\o) is not limited to the over-score symbol. It will overstrike any character over another character. With the application of some character spacing, you can make real use of this field. Let's look at the symbol sometimes used to represent a centerline.

1. Type the expression: EQ \o(C,L))

2. Select the expression and press CTRL+F9.

3. Select just the C,L and format with Arial or some other sans-serif font. Let's use 20pt.

4. Select just the C and then Format>Font>Character Spacing. In the spacing options, enter expanded by 4 pt. In the position window, enter raised by 2 pt.

5. Select just the L and using the same procedure lower by 2 pt.

6. Right click the expression and toggle field codes. You can play around with your spacing and position as it suits you.

The Word Help file has lots more information on use of the EQ field and other useful fields.

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