Text Formatting and Math Symbols Using HTML Tags (HTML code) and in Word

This page serves two purposes:

• HTML tags: In WebCT and other settings, you often have to type in text. If you want bold face or other formatting you may manually type in the tags as shown on the right side of the table below. In WebCT, use [preview] to see if it looks the way you intended.
• Special Characters (including math symbols): Sometimes it is hard to find math symbols in Word and for web pages. There are a few listed below that can be copied and pasted. Also there is a link to a Word file with some math symbols.

HTML tags: For example if you want Have a great day! then type Have a <b>great</b> day!

Special Characters (including math symbols)

Characters such as ³ © ® ½ ¾ ± ~ ¢ ² † ‡ × ∠ °F. These are easily copied (and then pasted) from MSWord or WordPerfect.

• To get these special characters in MSWord, click Insert|Symbol...
• To get these in WordPerfect click Insert|Symbol... (or hit ctrl-W) and choose Typographic Symbols.

When using these special characters, there is no need to use superscripts or any special formatting.

Click here for a MathSymbols Word document.

(If you are using Dreamweaver you can click Insert|Special Characters.)

Please note that all characters do not copy over correctly from the word processor (in fact the infinity symbol might be turned upright into an 8!). Do check you printout - on multiple computers is best.

Jim Olsen ~ W.I.U.

updated: January 26, 2009