MathType for Google

MathType is available for Google Docs. Creating and editing an equation is straightforward. Just find the MathType option in the Add-ons drop-down menu and start editing. Watch the videos below as instructional guides.

Activate Google Add-on

Google will be migrating all G Suite add-ons from the Chrome Web Store to the G Suite Marketplace sometime in early 2019. After that, MathType will only be available from the G Suite Marketplace link above.

You may find the old Chrome Web Store listing here.

Install the add-on

Install the MathType add-on for Google Docs just like you would install any other add-on. From the Add-ons menu, choose Get add-ons. Search for MathType and click FREE. Alternatively, go directly to the MathType page in the Google Add-on store, and click FREE. Either way, when you see the Let's get started pop-up saying "MathType needs your permission to run", click Continue. You'll have to sign in with your Google account and grant MathType access to your Google docs. After you click Allow, MathType will be available for your use.

Write an equation

Animation shows using MathType in Google Docs.

For more details about using MathType, whether with Google Docs or just in general, see the Using MathType page.

A note about equation alignment

One thing you'll notice is that inline equations (i.e., equations that are part of a sentence of text) are not vertically aligned with the text; they're positioned higher than normal, like this one:
Equations aren't aligned with the text due to a Google restriction.
This is due to a Google Docs restriction. In the future, if Google changes this behavior to allow vertical positioning of objects such as equations, MathType will be able to align its equations better.

Edit an equation

Select the formula you want to edit and open MathType from the Add-ons drop-down menu.

Animation shows using MathType to edit an equation in Google Docs.

Large equations in Google

The way Google processes equations requires a limit on the size of each equation. The limit is not one that we can define here, because it depends on several characteristics of the equation. The purpose of this tip is to note that if you get an error when inserting a new equation or editing an existing equation, the error may be due to the size of the equation. If it's a small equation and you're still getting an error, write us and we'll try to help. If it's a large equation, try breaking it down into two or three smaller equations and see if that eliminates the error.

MathML and LaTeX in Google Docs

Debug windows

The Google Docs MathType add-in has tools integrated that allow you to see the code representing a formula. These debug windows are designed for power users, and also help report issues to MathType support.

These windows that can be accessed via a shortcut. They are read-and-write windows, so you can use them also to input data. See the sections below for details on that, especially including the tips following the section describing LaTeX.

MathML

You can open this window with the combination Ctrl+Shift+X (memory aid: X = XML). It's the same shortcut on Mac as on Windows. You can use this debug window to edit an equation by directly editing the MathML contained in the window, or paste MathML from another document. To submit the changes, click the "Submit Query" button, and you'll see your changes immediately in the MathType editing window.

Using MathML with the MathType add-in in Google Docs.

LaTeX

You can open this window with the combination Ctrl+Shift+L (memory aid: L = LaTeX). It's the same shortcut on Mac as on Windows. You can use this debug window to edit an equation by directly editing the LaTeX contained in the window, or paste LaTeX from another document. To submit the changes, click the "Submit Query" button, and you'll see your changes immediately in the MathType editing window.

Using LaTeX with the MathType add-in in Google Docs.

Tip 1: Your browser may present a warning that pop-ups are blocked. With pop-ups blocked, it's impossible to use MathML or LaTeX with the MathType add-in as described here. If this happens, it's possible to allow pop-ups from Options:

If popups aren't allowed, you won't have access to MathType's MathML and LaTeX windows.

Tip 2: You can re-use OMML equations from a Microsoft Word document by copying the equation from Word and pasting into the MathType add-in. You can paste either directly into the editor window or into the MathML debug window. Either way, you must ensure Word's equation copy options are configured to copy as MathML.

Accessibility: reading with a screen reader

When you add an equation to Google, MathType Web configures the equation such that it's readable by screen readers and other accessible technology (AT). For a more detailed explanation, see MathType Web: Accessibility.

MathType equations include alt text.

ChemType

ChemType is an improved user experience in MathType to create chemical notation. A personalized toolbar with specialized chemistry buttons to edit your inorganic chemistry formulas.

Animation shows editing a chemistry formula in Google Docs with ChemType.

Printing

Printing a Google Docs page with equations doesn't require any special steps -- just print like any other document. One thing worth noting is that the equations will print at high quality, just like the text. This is a scan of the previous example after printing:

High-quality printout of equations in Google Docs

Requirements

The system requirements of MathType for Google are very simple: if your computer and browser are capable of running Google Drive apps (specifically the Google Docs word processor), then it will run the MathType add-in for Google. Here's how it looks in Firefox for Ubuntu:

MathType in Ubuntu.

Android and iOS

The Google Docs app in Android and iOS does not support Add-ins. As soon as Add-in technology is offered by Google in tablet apps, MathType will be available.

Invalid selection message in tables

Image showing a table with the error message "invalid selection"

When using the add-on in tables you might come across the following error: "Invalid selection: please select only a single table cell."

This happens because you've selected multiple table cells or rows, or your selection goes outside the table: this makes finding a single place to insert an equation impossible. To avoid this message please select only a single table cell or set the cursor at the exact place you want your equation to be inserted.