If you’re like most people, you probably number equations in Microsoft Word using Arabic numerals. But there are other ways to number equations, and some people prefer to label equations instead. Here’s how to do each:
- Number equations using Arabic numerals. This is the default way to number equations in Microsoft Word, and it’s the way most people are used to doing it. Just type the equation in the text editor, and then type a number after each term. For example, if you have equation A = B + C, you would type A1 = B1 + C1.
- Label equations with letters instead of numbers. This is a more advanced approach that some people prefer because it makes the equation easier to read and understand. To do this, first select all of the text in your equation (including any parentheses), and then click on the Home tab on the ribbon and choose Format > Text Box > Make Text Box: Next, choose the Font tab on the ribbon and select a font that is easy to read (like Arial or Courier): Finally, enter a label for your equation in the text box that appears: Now your equation will look like this: A = B + C (label). ..
If the document you’re creating includes equations, you might plan to number or label them. For both standard and nonstandard formatting, we’ll show you how to add numbers and labels to equations in Microsoft Word.
Number Equations in Microsoft Word
Whether you plan to use a table of figures or not, numbers allow you to reference your equations. And you might have a requirement to use customary numbering for the equations in your document. According to sources, including Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), the standard is Arabic numerals in parentheses and right-aligned.
You can accomplish all of this using the caption feature in Microsoft Word with a few tweaks. So, open your document and select your first equation. On the References tab, click “Insert Caption” from the Captions section of the ribbon.
While Word does offer a feature for labeling equations here, you’re only numbering them with parentheses in this instance. This means creating a new label. Click “New Label.”
In the New Label window, type your left parenthesis and hit “OK.”
If you want to select a different number format, click “Numbering,” choose what you’d like to use, and click “OK.”
You’ll see the starting parenthesis with the first number per the formatting that you selected. Type a space, and then your closing parenthesis. Optionally, select a Position for the caption and click “OK.”
Now that you have your equation number, select it and go to the Home tab. Click “Align Right” in the Paragraph section of the ribbon.
This scoots the number caption to the right where it belongs.
If you need to remove the default italics from the caption, select it, go to the Home tab, and deselect “Italics” in the Font section of the ribbon.
You can follow the same process to add numbers to your remaining equations. You already have the new label ready, so click “Insert Caption” from the ribbon. The sequential number is automatically inserted into your parenthesis caption. Just type your space and closing parenthesis and click “OK.”
Then, right-align the next caption in the document, and you’re set!
Label Equations in Microsoft Word
If the document you’re creating with your equations is for personal use or doesn’t need to follow a standard numbering convention, you can caption your equations with labels, if you like.
Open your document and select your first equation. On the References tab, click “Insert Caption” from the Captions section of the ribbon.
In the Caption pop-up window, select “Equation” next to Label. This sets both the word and the number as the caption. Optionally, select a Position for the caption and click “OK” to apply the caption.
Again, you can adjust the text for the caption or align it on the page using the Font and Paragraph sections on the Home tab.
Add any subsequent equation captions that you need the same way, and you’ll see each numbered sequentially next to your label.
If you need help writing your equations, take a look at our how-to for using the ink equation feature.
