"thin space"

[Guest]

Certain style guides (AMA manual of style, 9th ed.) request the use of a
"thin space" between numbers and certain symbols (such as an equal sign "=").

Is there a symbol that functions as a thin space? It would probably be a
"half-space" based on how it looks when typeset. The only small space that I
find in the symbol list is the "1/4 Em-space", but this is barely smaller
than a regular space in Times New Roman.

I know that I could create a macro to change the font size of the space or
to change the character spacing to "condensed", but this operation would be
rather kludgey and would probably confuse a lot of reviewers.

I also know that this is mainly a typesetting convention. But, I still need
to try to replicate it in certain word documents.

Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated.

Peter

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

The Arial Unicode MS font contains a wide variety of spaces, including hair
and thin spaces, in the range 2000 to 200D. The "thin space" is 2009. If you
can't count on the recipient to have this font installed, it might be safer
to insert a normal space (or perhaps a nonbreaking space, since it won't
expand in a justified line) formatted to half the body text point size.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

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[Guest]

Suzanne,

Thanks, I did try this and it is nice to have that space character option
(although it seemed to add extra vertical line spacing for some reason -
different height font?).

Is Arial Unicode MS a pretty standard font these days? The corporations
that I freelance write for always have a mishmash of machines, operating
systems, and MS word versions.

Peter

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

It's supplied with all Windows versions, but, because of its size, it may
not be installed by default. I wouldn't count on anyone's having it. And, as
you note, if its default leading (line spacing) is different, it will cause
problems.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

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