# Symbolize is not Working Properly

I am trying to introduce a special superscript notation in mathematica but it does not work

Clear["Global*"]
Needs["Notation"]
Symbolize[ParsedBoxWrapper[SuperscriptBox["W", "(c)"]]]
W^(c) = 1

(* Set::write: Tag Power in W^c is Protected. >> *)
(* 1 *)


However, it works in the following case

Clear["Global*"]
Needs["Notation"]
Symbolize[ParsedBoxWrapper[SuperscriptBox["W", "_"]]]
W^(c) = 1

(* 1 *)


I don't understand that why it is not working in the first case! and I really need to just set that special notation not every superscript.

It should be mentioned that if one directly uses the Symbolize from notation palette there won't be any problem at all but the thing is that why the equivalent 2D command is not working properly.

• Are you literally using Symbolize[ParsedBoxWrapper[SuperscriptBox["W", "_"]]] or the template generated by the palette? (I know if you cut and paste you get the ParsedBoxWrapper) I get no problems using the palette template but get the same problem using your 2D code – Mike Honeychurch Mar 29 '17 at 2:45
• @MikeHoneychurch: I am using the 2D code. So it seems to be a bug or we are missing something! – H. R. Mar 29 '17 at 3:19
• use the palette. that is what it was designed for – Mike Honeychurch Mar 29 '17 at 4:17
• @MikeHoneychurch: I got it from your previous comment but why the equivalent 2D code is not working! – H. R. Mar 29 '17 at 14:11
• You should check the box structure of W^(c) by using Cell | Show Expression and make sure your pattern is consistent. – Carl Woll Apr 5 '17 at 15:25

I assume you've typed the following in a cell:

W Ctrl+6 ( c )

Then, go to the menu, and select Cell | Show Expression (or use Cmd+Shift+E on OSX).

You will find that the box structure is:

SuperscriptBox["W", RowBox[{"(", "c", ")"}]]


not

SuperscriptBox["W", "(c)"]


So, try using the above box structure instead.