How do I configure a \ref of a \label to print more than just the number?

Question

I am using \label in conjunction with \ref for my equations. For example

\begin{equation} 
\label{eq:grav} F=\frac{G m_{1} m_{2}}{r^{2}}
\end{equation}

as shown in equation \ref{eq:grav}

which prints the number for the order the equation is placed (with reference to the other equations in the document).

I would like it to print the word "equation" as well as just the number, since I always need to say it's an equation it would be nice not to have to type it out manually all the time. Same with figures.

Is there a way to define this in the preamble?

Answer 1

Mine is similar to that offered by Harish Kumar, except I offer a few added options. What I provide below is a style file, eqcite.sty

\ProvidesPackage {eqcite} [2006/11/29]
%
% by Steven B. Segletes, for the public domain.
%
% eqcite prints out the preferred reference format for equation
% citations, e.g., equation 1 as opposed to eqn(1), eq.(1), etc. 
%
% Advantages of using eqcite:
% 1) Ability to quickly change from `equation x' to `eqn(x)' through
%    whole document, with a single line change (\EqTypeB).  This is 
%    useful when converting from tech report to manuscript formats;
% 2) Saves typing:
%    With the eqcite package, type        `\eqcite{eq:myeqn}'
%    vs. the traditional LaTeX approach of `equation~\ref{eq:myeqn}'  .
%
%
% A number of format types are predefined:
%
% EqTypeA : equation x, equations x and y   (ARL report standard)
% EqTypeB : eqn(x)    , eqns (x) and (y)
% EqTypeC : eq(x)     , eqs (x) and (y)
% EqTypeD : eqn.(x)   , eqns. (x) and (y)
% EqTypeE : eq.(x)    , eqs. (x) and (y)
% EqTypeF : eqn (x)   , eqns (x) and (y)
% EqTypeG : eq (x)    , eqs (x) and (y)
%
% Other format types are easily added.
%
% Usage:
%
% % In Preamble:
% \usepackage{eqcite}
% \EqTypex  % where `x' is A, B, etc.  defaults to EqTypeA
%
% % In Document:
% \Eqcite{ref} ...
% ... \eqcite{ref} ...
% \Eqcites{ref1}, \andeqcite{ref2}, and \andeqcite{ref3} ...
% ... \eqcites{ref1}, \andeqcite{ref2}, and \andeqcite{ref3}...
%
% where ref is the LaTeX reference, for example, eq:myeqn  .
%
% A literal option [l] is available to use the the argument as the
% actual equation number, rather than as an equation reference:
%
% \eqcite[l]{13}
%
% This literal option can be used with the following calls:
% \Eqcite, \eqcite, \Eqcites, \eqcites and \andeqcite.
%
%
% EqTypeA : equation x, equations x and y
\newcommand\EqTypeA{
  \def\Eqname{Equation}
  \def\eqname{equation}
  \def\Eqsname{Equations}
  \def\eqsname{equations}
  \def\eqsep{~}
  \def\eqssep{~}
  \def\eqldelimit{}
  \def\eqrdelimit{}
}
% EqTypeB : eqn(x), eqns (x) and (y)
\newcommand\EqTypeB{
  \def\Eqname{Eqn}
  \def\eqname{eqn}
  \def\Eqsname{Eqns}
  \def\eqsname{eqns}
  \def\eqsep{}
  \def\eqssep{~}
  \def\eqldelimit{(}
  \def\eqrdelimit{)}
}
% EqTypeC : eq(x), eqs (x) and (y)
\newcommand\EqTypeC{
  \def\Eqname{Eq}
  \def\eqname{eq}
  \def\Eqsname{Eqs}
  \def\eqsname{eqs}
  \def\eqsep{}
  \def\eqssep{~}
  \def\eqldelimit{(}
  \def\eqrdelimit{)}
}
% EqTypeD : eqn.(x), eqns. (x) and (y)
\newcommand\EqTypeD{
  \def\eqname{Eqn.}
  \def\eqname{eqn.}
  \def\Eqsname{Eqns.}
  \def\eqsname{eqns.}
  \def\eqsep{}
  \def\eqssep{~}
  \def\eqldelimit{(}
  \def\eqrdelimit{)}
}
% EqTypeE : eq.(x), eqs. (x) and (y)
\newcommand\EqTypeE{
  \def\Eqname{Eq.}
  \def\eqname{eq.}
  \def\Eqsname{Eqs.}
  \def\eqsname{eqs.}
  \def\eqsep{}
  \def\eqssep{~}
  \def\eqldelimit{(}
  \def\eqrdelimit{)}
}
% EqTypeF : eqn (x), eqns (x) and (y)
\newcommand\EqTypeF{
  \def\Eqname{Eqn}
  \def\eqname{eqn}
  \def\Eqsname{Eqns}
  \def\eqsname{eqns}
  \def\eqsep{~}
  \def\eqssep{~}
  \def\eqldelimit{(}
  \def\eqrdelimit{)}
}
% EqTypeG : eq (x), eqs (x) and (y)
\newcommand\EqTypeG{
  \def\Eqname{Eq}
  \def\eqname{eq}
  \def\Eqsname{Eqs}
  \def\eqsname{eqs}
  \def\eqsep{~}
  \def\eqssep{~}
  \def\eqldelimit{(}
  \def\eqrdelimit{)}
}
% Default to Equation Type A format
\EqTypeA
%
% For citing an equation at the beginning of a sentence
\newcommand\Eqcite[2][]{%
  \if l#1%
    \Eqname\eqsep\eqldelimit#2\eqrdelimit
  \else%
    \Eqname\eqsep\eqldelimit\ref{#2}\eqrdelimit
  \fi
}
% For citing an equation in the middle of a sentence
\newcommand\eqcite[2][]{%
  \if l#1%
    \eqname\eqsep\eqldelimit#2\eqrdelimit
  \else%
    \eqname\eqsep\eqldelimit\ref{#2}\eqrdelimit
  \fi
}
% For citing the first of multiple equations at the beginning of a sentence
\newcommand\Eqcites[2][]{%
  \if l#1%
    \Eqsname\eqssep\eqldelimit#2\eqrdelimit
  \else%
    \Eqsname\eqssep\eqldelimit\ref{#2}\eqrdelimit
  \fi
}
% For citing the first of multiple equations in the middle of a sentence
\newcommand\eqcites[2][]{%
  \if l#1%
    \eqsname\eqssep\eqldelimit#2\eqrdelimit
  \else%
    \eqsname\eqssep\eqldelimit\ref{#2}\eqrdelimit
  \fi
}
% For citing an equation number without the leading word equation, eqn, etc.
% Used in conjuction with \Eqcites and \eqcites
\newcommand\andeqcite[2][]{%
  \if l#1%
    \eqldelimit#2\eqrdelimit
  \else%
    \eqldelimit\ref{#2}\eqrdelimit
  \fi
}
%
% For backward compatibility to equagen.sty
\let\equagen\eqcite
\let\Equagen\Eqcite
\let\equagens\eqcites
\let\Equagens\Eqcites
\let\andequagen\andeqcite

\endinput

First, you can specify the EqType, where the type could be "equation", "eqn" etc. Then, it offers, plural, singular, capitalized, conjunctive, and literal options for the cite.

Answer 2

\documentclass{report}
\usepackage{hyperref} %% to turn the links clickable and load this before cleveref
\usepackage{cleveref}

% each of the following has two versions
%   \crefname{environmentname}{singular}{plural}, to be used mid-sentence
%   \Crefname{environmentname}{singular}{plural}, to be used at the beginning of a sentence
\crefname{table}{table}{tables}
\Crefname{table}{Table}{Tables}
\crefname{figure}{figure}{figures}
\Crefname{figure}{Figure}{Figures}
\crefname{equation}{equation}{equations}
\Crefname{Equation}{Equation}{Equation}
\begin{document}

\begin{figure}[!htb]
  \centering
  \rule{20pt}{20pt}
  \caption{My figure}
  \label{fig:myfig}
\end{figure}

\begin{equation}
\label{eq:grav} F=\frac{G m_{1} m_{2}}{r^{2}}
\end{equation}

\begin{itemize}
  \item Use \cref{fig:myfig} mid sentence.
  \item \Cref{fig:myfig} is appropriate for the beginning of a sentence and~\cref{eq:grav}. \Cref{eq:grav} is printing \verb|Equation| rather than \verb|equation|.
\end{itemize}


\end{document}