Occasionally, a SolidWorks user may need to state a number or variable as approximate within an annotation note. The mathematical symbol for this is an overline. Overlining text is not readily supported by SolidWorks. One solution is to draw a line over the text. This is undesirable due to the messiness that comes about when trying to associate notes with sketch entities. Another solution is to create a new custom symbol within the Gtol.sym file. This takes time. Also, the symbol has to be manually shared if the drawing is opened on another computer.
Here is a quick and dirty trick for creating overlined text on SolidWorks drawing:
- Start an annotation note.
- With the note active and your typing cursor placed at the desired location within the note, click on the Stack button from the Annotations toolbar.
- Choose the style with the division line across the center.
- Choose the bottom alignment option.
- Type your overlined text in the Lower text field.
- Select OK.
The one drawback to this trick is that it will force spacing above your line of text. This may only be a concern if one tries to use this technique within the general notes.