Get started with MathType for Google Wrokspace

By the end of this guide, you will have created and edited equations in Google Docs and Google Slides and explored different ways to enter mathematical notation with MathType.

Before you begin

Prerequisites

• Basic familiarity with editing documents in Google Docs or presentations in Google Slides.

Requirements

• MathType for Google Workspace is installed. See Install the MathType Add-on for Google Workspace.
• MathType is activated through a trial, subscription, community subscription, or product key. See Activate the MathType Add-on for Google Workspace.
• Access to Google Docs or Google Slides through a supported web browser. See MathType Add-on for Google Workspace: Overview.
   

Steps

Step 1: Open MathType

Why: You need to open the MathType task pane before you can create or edit equations.

1. Open a document in Google Docs or a presentation in Google Slides.
2. Select Extensions > MathType.
3. Open the MathType task pane.
4. Select the option to open the MathType editor.

Checkpoint: You should see the MathType editor open and ready to create an equation.

Step 2: Create an equation

Why: This step shows you how to create and insert a new equation into a document or presentation.

1. Choose where you want to insert the equation:
   • In Google Docs, place the cursor at the required position in the document.
   • In Google Slides, open the slide on which you want to insert the equation.
2. Open MathType.
3. Create your equation in the MathType editor. You can type characters directly or use the available symbols and templates.
4. Insert the equation into the document or presentation.

Checkpoint: You should see the equation in your Google Docs document or on the selected Google Slides slide.

Step 3: Edit an equation

Why: You can reopen an existing MathType equation and modify it without creating it again.

1. Select the MathType equation you want to edit.
2. Open MathType from the task pane.
3. Make your changes in the editor.
4. Insert the updated equation into the document or presentation.

Checkpoint: You should see the updated equation in Google Docs or Google Slides.

Step 4: Create an equation with handwriting

Why: Handwriting input lets you create an equation by writing the expression instead of selecting symbols and templates.

1. Open MathType.
2. Switch to the handwriting interface.
3. Write your mathematical expression using a mouse, trackpad, touchscreen, or stylus.
4. Review the expression recognized by MathType.
5. Correct the expression if necessary.
6. Insert the equation into Google Docs or Google Slides.

Checkpoint: You should see the handwritten expression converted into an equation and inserted into the document or presentation.

Step 5: Work with LaTeX or MathML code

Why: The LaTeX and MathML editors let you create a MathType equation from code or extract the code of the equation currently displayed in MathType.

1. Open the MathType editor from Google Docs or Google Slides.
2. Create an equation or open an existing equation in the editor.
3. Open the required code editor:
   • Press Ctrl+Shift+L to access the LaTeX code.
   • Press Ctrl+Shift+X to access the MathML code.
4. Enter or paste code to create or modify the equation, or copy the displayed code to reuse the current equation elsewhere.
5. Apply any changes to return to the visual editor.

Checkpoint: You should be able to create or modify an equation using LaTeX or MathML, or copy the code representing the current equation.

LaTeX

MathML

Step 6: Copy equations between Google Docs and Google Slides

Why: MathType equations can be reused across documents and presentations without being created again.

1. Select the MathType equation in Google Docs or Google Slides.
2. Copy the equation.
3. Open the destination document or presentation.
4. Paste the equation into Google Docs or Google Slides.
5. Select the copied equation and open MathType if you need to modify it.

Checkpoint: You should see the copied equation in the destination application and be able to reopen it with MathType.

You're done

You have now created and edited equations with MathType in Google Docs and Google Slides and explored handwriting, MathML and LaTeX input, and workflows for copying and reusing equations. Next, you can explore:

• Using MathType Web.
• MathType Web introductory tutorials.

Troubleshooting

MathType does not appear in the Extensions menu

Make sure MathType is installed for the Google account currently open in Google Docs or Google Slides. Reload the document or presentation after completing the installation.

See Install the MathType Add-on for Google Workspace for installation troubleshooting.

MathType opens, but I cannot use the editor

Make sure you are signed in with an account associated with an active trial, subscription, community subscription, or product key.

See Activate the MathType Add-on for Google Workspace for activation instructions.

The MathType editor is empty

Your browser may be blocking the cookies or site data required by MathType. Allow the required browser data, reload the document or presentation, and open MathType again.

I cannot edit an existing equation

Make sure you select the equation before opening MathType. MathType can directly edit supported MathType equations, but equations created with another editor may not contain the information required by MathType.

An equation cannot be inserted into a table in Google Docs

Place the cursor inside a single table cell before inserting the equation. MathType cannot insert an equation if several cells or the entire table are selected.

The equation is not aligned with the surrounding text in Google Docs

Google Docs does not provide vertical-positioning controls for embedded objects. As a result, an inline equation may appear slightly higher than the surrounding text.

The equation is too large to insert

Google limits the size of objects that MathType can insert. Divide a very large equation into several smaller equations and insert them separately.

Related

• MathType Add-on for Google Workspace: Overview
• Install the MathType Add-on for Google Workspace
• Activate the MathType Add-on for Google Workspace
• Using MathType Web.
• MathType Web introductory tutorials.
• Microsoft Word and Google Docs compatibility.