MathType for Google

Activate Google 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.

Once the MathType add-on is installed, it will be in the Google Docs Add-ons menu. To open MathType to write an equation, choose either Insert/edit math equation or Insert/edit chem formula from the Add-ons menu:

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:

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.

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 it impossible to find a definite place to insert an equation.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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: