# How to avoid overlap in the fractions of a table

Is there any proper way to avoid overlap in the fractions of a table (see the picture)

The source code is :

$\textbf{S} = \begin{Bmatrix} 0 \\ - g \rho \eta \partial_x Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_x \rho \\ - g \rho \eta \partial_y Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_y \rho \\ 0 \end{Bmatrix}.$


The traditional way is to add space to the \\ with an optional argument:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
$\textbf{S} = \begin{Bmatrix} 0 \\[2pt] - g \rho \eta \partial_x Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_x \rho \\[10pt] - g \rho \eta \partial_y Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_y \rho \\[6pt] 0 \end{Bmatrix}.$
\end{document}


Alternatively, you can use stacks.

You can specify the baselineskip if you use a stack:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath,stackengine}
\setstackEOL{\\}
\begin{document}
$\setstackgap{L}{24pt} \textbf{S} = \braceVectorstack{ 0 \\ - g \rho \eta \partial_x Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_x \rho \\ - g \rho \eta \partial_y Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_y \rho \\ 0 }.$
\end{document}


• Between the two methods, the first one is more affordable. Thanks to you ! – Amine HANINI May 8 at 1:27
• @AmineHANINI But, but, there is a sale on stackengine this week: stack ONE, get ONE free! – Steven B. Segletes May 8 at 1:29
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
$\mathbf{S} = \begin{Bmatrix} 0 \\ -g\rho\eta\partial_x Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_x \rho \\[10pt] -g\rho\eta\partial_y Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_y \rho \\ 0 \end{Bmatrix}$
\end{document}


Another way uses the cellspace package, which enables you to define minimal vertical spacing at the top and bottom of cells in table columns with specifier prefixed with the letter C (or another letter if you load siunitx). For the matrix environments of amsmath, you just have to load the package with option [math]. This will save yu the tedium of deciding which length you'll have to add as an optional argument of \\.

In addition, I propose to use the medium-sized fractions from nccmath for the coefficients, as they look better than the display-sized in this context, from my point of view:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath, nccmath}
\usepackage[math]{cellspace}
\setlength{\cellspacetoplimit}{3pt}
\setlength{\cellspacebottomlimit}{3pt}

\begin{document}

$\textbf{S} = \begin{Bmatrix} 0 \\ - g \rho \eta \partial_x Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_x \rho \\ - g \rho \eta \partial_y Z + \dfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_y \rho \\ 0 \end{Bmatrix}.$
\medskip

$\textbf{S} = \begin{Bmatrix} 0 \\ - g \rho \eta \partial_x Z + \mfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_x \rho \\ - g \rho \eta \partial_y Z + \mfrac{1}{2} g Z^2 \partial_y \rho \\ 0 \end{Bmatrix}.$
\end{document}