topic Re: Fractions Dropping off in AutoCAD Forum

Fractions Dropping off

kyle8TDFP — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:21:51 GMT

I have noticed that in Autocad 2025, when using the offset command. At the prompt, enter 31'5 5/8", and press enter that the number appears correct. But if I cycle through, using the enter key, the fraction drops off. Then when the command is finally run, the offset is short that fraction amount.

Re: Fractions Dropping off

Kent1Cooper — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:22:55 GMT

@kyle8TDFP wrote:

.... enter 31'5 5/8"....

In typed feet-inches-fractions input like this [not as text content but in things like Offset distance], you need to include a hyphen between inch and fraction, so that it's one string [no spaces]:

31'5-5/8

[I tried to find where that is described in Help, so far without success....]

Re: Fractions Dropping off

pendean — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:10:28 GMT

@kyle8TDFP Are you using your UNITS precision setting is low enough to capture the 5/8"?

And how are you double-checking? I'm unable to replicate your issue here.

Re: Fractions Dropping off

kyle8TDFP — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:26:57 GMT

Units set to:

Architectural

1/16" precision

I'm using the distance command to verify the offset, which is coming up short.

By just cycling through with the enter key, the fraction drops off.

Re: Fractions Dropping off

kyle8TDFP — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:49:34 GMT

That is exactly how I'm entering it.

Re: Fractions Dropping off

kyle8TDFP — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:52:35 GMT

I see that i didn't include the hyphen in my original post, my mistake. I am entering it and it does drop off.

Re: Fractions Dropping off

kyle8TDFP — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:55:03 GMT

Command: OFFSET
Current settings: Erase source=No Layer=Source OFFSETGAPTYPE=0
Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <31'-5">: 31'5-5/8
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:
Command:
OFFSET
Current settings: Erase source=No Layer=Source OFFSETGAPTYPE=0
Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <31'-5 5/8">: 31'-5
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>: 5/8"
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:
Command:
OFFSET
Current settings: Erase source=No Layer=Source OFFSETGAPTYPE=0
Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <31'-5">:
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:
Command:

Re: Fractions Dropping off

pendean — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:04:31 GMT

@kyle8TDFP

Command: OFFSET

Current settings: Erase source=No Layer=Source OFFSETGAPTYPE=0
Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <Through>: 31'5-5/8

Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:
Specify point on side to offset or [Exit/Multiple/Undo] <Exit>:
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:
Command: Regenerating model.
OFFSET

Current settings: Erase source=No Layer=Source OFFSETGAPTYPE=0
Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <31'-5 5/8">: 31'5-5/8

Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:
Specify point on side to offset or [Exit/Multiple/Undo] <Exit>:
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:

Re: Fractions Dropping off

Kent1Cooper — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:37:18 GMT

@kyle8TDFP wrote:

.... the hyphen .... I am entering it and it does drop off.

... and ...

....
Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <31'-5 5/8">: 31'-5
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>: 5/8"
....

You're entering it in the wrong place. The above shows that you are putting it between feet and inches, and using a space between inches and fraction. That's where the hyphen needs to go. No hyphen between the feet mark and the inches number.

It is unfortunate that the way it displays the value [as in the default shown] is the way one would expect, but for typing-in purposes in this data-entry kind of situation it can't have a space. That's why it wants nothing between the feet mark and inch number [the feet mark makes the distinction clear], with the hyphen between inches and fractions so there will be no space. Type it in this way [as in @pendean's demonstration]:

31'5-5/8"

Picky little thing: You don't need to type in the inches mark [again, talking about data-entry-type situations, not something like text character content].

Pickier little thing: You can use a hyphen right after the feet mark, if a fraction follows with no inches:

31'-5/8"

is acceptable, and is the same as

31'0-5/8"

Re: Fractions Dropping off

kyle8TDFP — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:43:54 GMT

31'5-5/8