Accessibility in MathType for Google Workspace

MathType for Google Workspace supports people who prepare accessible mathematical content and people who use assistive technologies to read and work with that content. Equations inserted into Google Docs and Google Slides include automatically generated accessibility information that allows compatible screen readers to communicate the mathematical expression.

What it is

MathType equations are inserted into Google Docs and Google Slides as images. To make their mathematical content available to assistive technologies, MathType automatically completes the alternative-text fields associated with each equation.

The Alt Text title contains an accessible description of the mathematical expression. The Alt Text description contains the MathML metadata that represents the equation and allows MathType to identify and reopen it for editing.

Why it matters

An equation displayed only as an image does not communicate its mathematical meaning to a screen reader. The automatically generated Alt Text title provides a textual representation that compatible screen readers can announce.

The MathML in the Alt Text description serves a separate purpose: it preserves the mathematical structure MathType needs to edit the equation. Therefore, both alternative-text fields form part of the equation's accessibility and editing workflow.

How it works

Stage 1: Enable screen reader support

Before using a screen reader with MathType equations, make sure screen reader support is enabled in Google Docs or Google Slides.

1. Open the Tools menu.
2. Select Accessibility settings.
3. Enable Turn on screen reader support.
4. Confirm the changes.

You can also enable this Google Workspace setting using the corresponding keyboard shortcut:

• On Windows, press Ctrl+Alt+Z.
• On macOS, press Command+Option+Z.
• On ChromeOS, screen reader support is automatically enabled when ChromeVox is running.

For more information about enabling and configuring screen readers in Google Workspace, see Use Google Docs Editors with a screen reader.

Stage 2: The equation is inserted

When an equation is created with MathType and inserted into Google Docs or Google Slides, it is added to the document or presentation as an image.

Stage 3: Accessibility information is generated

MathType automatically completes the two alternative-text fields associated with the equation:

• The Alt Text title contains the accessible description of the mathematical expression.
• The Alt Text description contains the MathML metadata MathType uses to reconstruct the equation in the editor.

Stage 4: A screen reader interprets the equation

When a compatible screen reader reaches the equation, it announces the accessible description stored in the Alt Text.

Compatible screen readers

The following screen readers can read MathType equations in Google Docs and Google Slides when screen reader support is enabled:

• NVDA
• JAWS
• ChromeVox
• Windows Narrator
• VoiceOver

These screen readers announce the equation description stored in the Alt Text.

Improve equation reading with NVDA

By default, NVDA reads the accessible description in the Alt Text title and then continues by announcing the MathML stored in the Alt Text description.

NVDA can be configured to stop announcing the MathML without removing or modifying it. This preserves equation editability while providing a clearer reading experience.

Key rules or behaviours

• MathType automatically generates the alternative-text information when an equation is inserted into Google Docs or Google Slides.
• The accessibility behaviour is the same in Google Docs and Google Slides.
• The Alt Text title contains the accessible description of the equation.
• The Alt Text description contains the MathML metadata MathType needs to reopen and edit the equation.
• Removing or incorrectly modifying the MathML can make the equation no longer editable with MathType.
• Screen reader support should be enabled in Google Docs or Google Slides when working with a screen reader.
• NVDA, JAWS, and ChromeVox read both the equation description and the MathML metadata.
• The NVDA configuration changes what the screen reader announces without removing the MathML from the equation.

Common misunderstandings

The two Alt Text fields have the same purpose

The fields contain different information. The Alt Text title contains the accessible equation description, while the Alt Text description contains the MathML used to reopen and edit the equation.

The MathML is unnecessary code

The MathML is not an accidental addition. It contains the mathematical structure MathType needs to reconstruct the equation in the editor.

Removing the MathML only affects screen-reader output

Removing the MathML also affects functionality. The equation remains visible but can no longer be reopened and edited with MathType.

The NVDA configuration removes the MathML

The NVDA configuration changes what the screen reader announces. It does not remove or modify the MathML stored in the Alt Text description.

Related concepts

• Improve the readability of MathType equations with NVDA.
• Use Google Docs Editors with a screen reader.
• VPAT for MathType for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
• MathType for Google Workspace: Overview.