Does anyone know how to TYPE a fraction number in a proper way (up-down not left-right) in an Excel cell? Embedding a Equation object doesn't work in my situation.You can use alt-171 for one-half and alt-172 for one-quarter.

There are no other fractions in the ASCII table. Use the numbers on the numeric keypad with the Alt key.

Question, why can't you use an Equation Object?

Hope this helps. The embedded Equation object is like an "floating" object and cannot be refered to. For example, I wanna put an equation in cell A1, and let cell B1=A1, and this function will read A1 as an EMPTY cell rather than the equation.The ASCII representation of ½ is not numeric which makes it unsuitable for Excel formulas. Excel has many mathematical FUNCTIONS you can use and you can output a cell in fractional (left-right only), decimal or floating point formats.

That might be a good workaround for the problem.

Hope this helps. I know that the Excel formulas will work, but my problem is to display the fraction as "up-down" not "left-right".I guess you could hide the real fraction, then use 2 cells, one over the other with an bottom border on the top cell. Place formulas in those cells to parse the hidden fraction.

Or key the numerator in the top cell, denominator in the bottom cell and use a formula to actually calculate the value wherever else you need it using the two cells.I was unable to find an Excel option that will allow you to change fractional representation.

I did find this on unfloating(?) an object:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=268713

The Equation Editor creates an graphic object but I was unable to find any exposed methods or properties you could use in a macro. No suprise there.

Gussery is right. Use a workaround. If you turn off the grid lines no one will be the wiser. The alternative would be to write your own fraction object and use a macro.

Good luck. Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I have to GIVE up on this, cos none of the suggestion so far suggest any solution. For those who are still interested, my problem is to put an equation like x=1/3y in a cell.