To display fractions with coordinates and dimensions

In this example you create a unit that displays the sub-units as a fraction, such as "3 1/2 in."

1. On the Rulers tab of the Options dialog box, click a units button.

2. Click Custom units.

3. On the Defined Custom Units dialog box, click Add Unit.

4. On the Add Custom Unit dialog box, type a unit name, set the displayed precision, and set up a scale if you wish.

5. In the Designer Units Label box, press SPACEBAR to create a blank space.

6. In the Sub-Units Scale box, type 1, and in the Label box, type a label, such as "in."

7. Click Display Sub-Unit as a fraction, then enter the denominator to use. For example, if you are measuring to the sixteenth of an inch, enter 16 as the denominator. Designer will simplify fractions as needed; for example, Designer will display "8/16" as "1/2."

8. Click OK.

9. On the Defined Custom Units dialog box, click OK.

10. On the Options dialog box, click OK.

The text of dimension lines and of coordinates displayed on the status bar and in the Object Coordinates dialog box will display with fractions.

If you want to display fractions with dimension lines but not with coordinates, access custom units from the General tab of the Dimensions dialog box, or from the ribbon.