AutoCAD - Creating Stacked Text using “Mtext”

by Martin Phelps

The “Stacked” option in “Mtext” allows you to “Stack” text, using alphanumerical values giving the representation of fractions.

Initially the comment may be, “My drawings are all metric, so I have no use for fractions”. That may be correct, however read on and you may find some useful alternative options.

Note: - These functions do not work with the “Single Line” text command.

Example 1 – Numerical values “Stacked” vertically and separated by a horizontal line.

1. Use “Mtext” to define the opposing corners of the “Multiline” text box.

2. Type 1/256 (1 forward slash (/) 256).

3. Select the text, right click to display the menu and select “Stack” as shown below.

Note: - If “Auto Stack” is turned on, which is the default, it will automatically “Stack” the text.

4. The result of using “Stack” in this case is shown below.

The same function will work with characters, providing the “Forward Slash” is placed between the items of “Text” that requires “Stacking”, as shown below.

Example 2 – Numerical values “Stacked” diagonally, separated by a diagonal line.

1. The process is the same as above, however instead of the forward slash (/) use the “Hash” symbol, as shown below.
2. 1#256 (1 “Hash” (#) 256).
3. Again, highlight the text and right click, from the menu select “Stack”, the result of the “Stack” is shown below.

Again, the same process can be applied to normal text, as shown below.

Example 3 – Numerical values “Stacked” vertically without a separation line.

1. Again, the process is the same as the previous two examples above, but this time the separating symbol is the caret (^) symbol as shown below.
2. So, for example type 10^25 (10(shift 6)25.
3. Highlight the text as previous and select “Stack” from the right click menu, the result is shown below.

Again, this can be applied to normal text, as below.

Still not convinced!

This method can also be used to raise a numerical value to a power or to indicate a squared or cubed value.

As an example, in the “Mtext” edit area, type in “100m2^”, only highlight the “2^” then select “Stack” from the right click menu, the result is shown below.

This method can be used for any value, as shown below.

Also, by placing the “Caret” symbol before the value.

Highlighting both the caret symbol and the value, use the “Stack” option, subscript text is created, as shown below.