Create and edit equations in MathType Web

Use this guide to create and edit equations in MathType Web with symbols, fractions, roots, superscripts, subscripts and enclosing delimiters. Learn how to fill and combine mathematical structures, apply them to existing content and remove enclosing symbols while keeping their contents.

Before you begin

Requirements

• Access to MathType Web in Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or an HTML editor integration.

Steps

The MathType toolbar lets you insert individual symbols, such as Greek letters and mathematical operators, and structures, such as fractions and roots. These structures are inserted using templates: predefined layouts with editable spaces, called slots, where you enter the content. For example, a fraction template has separate slots for its numerator and denominator.

Enter characters and insert symbols

Type letters, numbers and operators available on your keyboard directly in the editing area. For other symbols:

1. Place the cursor where the symbol should appear.
2. Open the toolbar tab containing the required symbol.
3. Select the symbol to insert it.

Insert and complete a template

Insert an empty template when you want to create the structure first and then enter its contents.

Insert a square root

1. In the General tab, select the square root template:  
2. Enter the expression inside the root.
3. Move the cursor outside the root before continuing the surrounding equation.

Insert a fraction

1. In the General tab, select the fraction template:  
2. Enter the numerator.
3. Select the denominator slot, or use the down arrow key to move into it.
4. Enter the denominator.
5. Move the cursor outside the fraction before continuing the surrounding equation.

Insert a superscript or subscript

1. In the General tab, select the superscript or subscript template:  
2. Enter the base expression.
3. Select the superscript or subscript slot, or use the right arrow key to move into it.
4. Enter the superscript or subscript.
5. Move the cursor outside the structure before continuing at the main equation level.

Complete other templates in the same way: enter the content of each slot, then leave the structure when you want to continue outside it.

Apply a template to existing content

You can also build a structure around content that is already in the equation.

1. Select the content you want to place inside the structure.
2. Select the required template in the toolbar.
3. Complete any remaining slots.

For example, selecting x and applying the square root template places x inside the root. Applying a fraction template to selected content places that content in the numerator; you can then enter the denominator.

Combine mathematical structures

A template slot can contain another mathematical structure. For example, you can place a fraction inside a square root.

1. Insert the outer template, such as a square root.
2. Place the cursor inside its content slot.
3. Insert the inner template, such as a fraction.
4. Complete the inner template's slots.
5. Move out of the inner structure and then out of the outer structure as needed.

Many templates expand automatically to accommodate their contents:

Use small fractions within other structures

The Scripts and layout tab includes Small fraction and Bevelled small fraction templates. Both display their contents at a smaller size than the main equation, making them useful for compact expressions, especially when a fraction appears inside another structure.

Insert and complete these templates in the same way as a regular fraction. The small fraction uses a horizontal fraction bar; the bevelled small fraction uses a diagonal bar.

Enclose an expression with scaling fences

Fences are enclosing symbols such as parentheses, brackets and braces. Scaling fence templates adjust their height to fit the enclosed expression.

1. Place the cursor where the enclosed expression should begin.
2. In the General tab, select the required paired fence template:
3. Enter the expression between the fences, including any fractions, roots or other structures. The fences will scale automatically.
4. Move the cursor outside the closing fence before continuing the equation.

Make existing fences scale

Fences inserted from scaling templates expand by default. If parentheses, brackets or braces entered directly from the keyboard do not expand, use the Stretchy option in the Contextual tab to make them adjust to the height of the expression.

1. Place the cursor immediately before or after the fence you want to make scale.
2. Open the Contextual tab and enable Stretchy:
3. If needed, apply the same setting to the other fence.

Remove structures with smart deleting

MathType uses smart deleting at supported structure boundaries. The first press of the backward-delete key highlights what will be removed; the second press confirms deletion. The cursor position determines whether you remove only the enclosing structure or its contents as well.

Use Backspace on Windows/Linux or the backward-delete key, usually labelled Delete, on macOS.

Remove a root while keeping its contents

1. Place the cursor just inside the root, before its contents:
2. Press the backward-delete key once.
3. Check that only the root symbol is highlighted:
4. Press the same key again to remove the root symbol and keep its contents:

Remove paired fences while keeping their contents

1. Place the cursor immediately after the opening fence, inside the pair.
2. Press the backward-delete key once.
3. Check that both fences are highlighted and their contents remain unselected.
4. Press the same key again to remove both fences and keep the enclosed expression.

This also applies to paired fences inserted from the Decorations tab.

Remove a structure and its contents

To remove a structure that supports smart deleting, place the cursor immediately after it, outside the structure. Press the backward-delete key once to highlight the structure and its contents, then again to delete them.

Check the highlight before confirming. To cancel, move the cursor before pressing the key again.

Insert or update the equation

Review the equation, then select the confirmation button to insert it or apply your changes. Depending on the integration, the button may be labelled Insert, Update, Accept or OK.

Verify it worked

• Each expression appears in the intended template slot.
• Nested structures are contained within the correct outer structure.
• Scaling fences fit the height of their contents.
• When removing an enclosing symbol, the intended content is preserved.
• The equation is inserted or updated in your application.

Options and variations

Use Autoformat

When Autoformat is enabled, keyboard input can create structures automatically. For example, typing / after a numerator creates a fraction, and typing ( inserts paired delimiters. See Use Autoformat in MathType Web.

Use non-scaling delimiters

With Autoformat disabled, typing parentheses, brackets or braces directly inserts non-scaling characters. When Autoformat is enabled, supported opening delimiters create expanding pairs instead. You can also change whether an existing fence scales using the Stretchy option in the Contextual tab.

Format the equation

For fonts, size, colour, italic formatting and regular text, see Formatting equations in MathType Web.

Common errors

Content appears in the wrong slot

The cursor was inside a different part of the template when you typed. Undo the input, select the required slot and enter the content again.

Typing continues inside a fraction, root or script

Move the cursor outside the structure before continuing. For help moving between slots and across structure boundaries, see Navigate the MathType Web editor using a keyboard.

A template includes unwanted content

The selection included more content than intended when you applied the template. Undo the action, select only the required expression and apply the template again.

Parentheses or brackets do not expand

They may have been entered as ordinary characters with Autoformat disabled. Enable Stretchy for the existing fences in the Contextual tab, or use a scaling fence template from the General tab.

Deleting removes the contents as well as the enclosing symbol

Undo the deletion and reposition the cursor. To keep a root's contents, place the cursor just inside the root before its content. To keep the contents of paired fences, place it immediately after the opening fence. Deleting from outside the end of the structure selects its contents as well. Check the highlight before confirming.

Related articles

• Create and edit matrices in MathType Web.
• Create and edit arithmetic and polynomial operations in MathType Web.
• MathType Web introductory tutorials.
• Formatting equations in MathType Web.