Artefacts appear when converting professional to linear format

[ways2read]

Steps to replicate in Word:

1. Press Alt+= to start an expression
2. On the Equation tab of the ribbon, in the Structures group select Fraction and then the “Stacked Fraction” (first fraction structure in the first row).
3. Then navigate into the numerator of the stacked fraction
4. On the Equation tab, in the Structures group select fraction and then the “Small Fraction” (last/fourth fraction structure in the first row).
5. Populate the small fraction with a over b.
6. Navigate to the denominator of the original stacked fraction.
7. On the Equation tab, in the Structures group select fraction and then the “Small Fraction” (last/fourth fraction structure in the first row).
8. Populate that small fraction with c over d.
9. Press Control+Shift+= to toggle the expression into linear mode. You should now have “□(a/b)/ □(c/d)”. My only guess is that there was an attempt to handle mixed fractions, but that the interactions and underlying expression handling were never completed for it.

[MurrayIII]

Small fractions entered this way use a construct called a box. Hence the linear notation you see. □(a/b)/□(c/d). If you type Ctrl+=, you'll see it back in built up form. Ideally small fractions would be created with the small-fraction construct but that came too late to ship in Word 2007 and we never updated it.

[jkhurdan]

Version Information:
OS Version:
-- OS Name: Microsoft Windows 11 Home
-- Version: 10.0.22631 Build 22631
-- Locale: United States
Microsoft Word Version:
-- Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise
-- Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2406 Build 16.0.17726.20078) 64-bit
NVDA:
-- Version 2024.2 (2024.2.0.32555)

Comments
I appear to get different results depending on whether or not I insert a space into the equation.

• Open Word
• Press Alt + =
• Press Alt, then press the down key followed by the right arrow key (repeat right arrow key until you hear Structure grouping 4 of 4, Fraction collapsed, add a fraction to the equation.)
• On fractions click space, you'll hear fraction grouping 1 of 2, equations structure stacked fraction 1 of 4. Click enter
• You'll hear document the fraction with numerator and denominator
• click space then click your left arrow until you hear end numerator.

Attempt 1: (with spaces)

• Enter a [space] / [space] b
• click the right arrow
• Enter c [space] /d
• Click Ctrl + Shift + =

You'll get:
$\frac{a \frac{□}{□} b}{c \frac{□}{d}}$

Attempt 2: (no spaces)

• Enter a/b
• click the right arrow
• Enter c/d
• Click Ctrl + Shift + =

You'll get:
$\frac{\frac{a}{b}}{\frac{c}{d}}$

I'm going to verify this issue. I believe it has to do with how the equation editor manages spaces inserted in the equation.