Copying and exchanging equations

Learn how to copy and paste equations within MathType and exchange them with other MathType editors, Microsoft Word, MathType 7, rich text editors, websites, and MathML-compatible applications.

Before you begin

• Requirements: Access to the MathType editor and the application containing or receiving the equation.
• Applies to: MathType Web. The available exchange methods depend on the destination application, browser, and operating system.

Copy and paste within MathType

Steps

1. Select the equation or part of the equation you want to copy or move.
2. Cut or copy the selection using one of the following methods:
   • Select the corresponding toolbar button.
   • Open the contextual menu by right-clicking on Windows or Control-clicking on macOS.
   • Press Ctrl+X or Ctrl+C on Windows.
   • Press Command+X or Command+C on macOS.
3. Place the insertion point where you want the content to appear.
4. Paste the content using the toolbar, contextual menu, or Ctrl+V on Windows and Command+V on macOS.

You can use the same procedure to copy only part of an equation:

Verify it worked

• The copied content appears at the selected insertion point.
• The structure and formatting of the equation remain intact.
• If you used cut, the original content no longer appears in its previous position.

Options and variations

• To copy between MathType editors: Copy the equation or selection in one editor and paste it into the other.

• To drag content into MathType: Drag supported content from another application and drop it into MathType. You cannot drag content out of MathType or rearrange an equation by dragging its internal parts.

Paste characters and equations from other sources

Steps

1. Copy the character or equation from the source application or website.
2. Place the insertion point in MathType.
3. Paste the copied content.
4. Review the result and correct any content that was not interpreted as expected.

You can copy individual characters from other applications and websites:

Some websites provide equations in a compatible format that can be pasted directly into MathType:

Verify it worked

• The character or equation appears in the MathType editing area.
• Mathematical structures remain editable rather than appearing as plain text.

Options and variations

• To find a character within MathType: Use the Insert special characters feature before copying it from an external source.
• If a website provides only an image: The equation cannot be pasted as editable mathematical content.

Copy equations from MathType to Microsoft Word

Steps

1. Select the equation in MathType.
2. Copy the equation.
3. Place the insertion point in Microsoft Word.
4. Paste the equation.

Verify it worked

• Word displays the copied content as an equation rather than as MathML code.
• The mathematical structure and notation match the equation in MathType.

Options and variations

• On Windows: This process is supported in Microsoft Word 2007 and later.
• On macOS: This process is supported in Microsoft Word 2011 and later.
• If MathType 7 is installed: The behavior may differ because Word can use MathType-specific equation objects.

Copy equations from Microsoft Word to MathType

Configure Word to copy equations as MathML before copying them into MathType.

Configure Microsoft Word to copy MathML

1. Open the equation options in Microsoft Word.
2. Enable the option to copy MathML.
3. Confirm the change and return to the document.

In Word for Windows, use the equation options available from the ribbon:

In Word 2016 for macOS, select Format > Equation Options:

In Word 2011 for macOS, select Word > Preferences > Equations.

Copy the equation

1. Select an equation or part of an equation in Word.
2. Copy the selection.
3. Place the insertion point in MathType.
4. Paste the equation.

Verify it worked

• The Word equation appears as editable mathematical content in MathType.
• MathType preserves the structure and notation of the original equation.

Options and variations

• To copy part of an equation: Select only the required subexpression before copying it.
• To copy text and equations together: Do not paste the mixed selection directly into MathType. MathType accepts individual equations or subexpressions, not selections containing both ordinary text and equations.
• For documents containing MathType 7 equations: See MathType 7 with Microsoft Office 2016 or later.

Copy equations from MathType 7 to MathType Web

Steps

1. Create or open the equation in MathType 7.
2. Open the cut and copy preferences:
   • On Windows, select Preferences > Cut and Copy Preferences.
   • On macOS, open the Preferences submenu from the MathType 7 menu.
3. Select MathML 2.0 (no namespace) from the translator list in the MathML or TeX section.
4. Clear both options below the translator list.
5. Select OK to save the preferences.
6. Select and copy the equation in MathType 7.
7. Paste the equation into MathType Web.

Verify it worked

• The equation appears as editable content in MathType Web.
• Symbols, templates, spacing, and other notation match the original equation.

Options and variations

• On macOS: These instructions are intended for Safari. The procedure may require changes or may not work in another browser.
• For existing MathType 7 content: You can use the same process to transfer equations from previous documents or projects.

Copy equations from MathType Web to MathType 7

Steps

1. Open the equation in MathType Web.
2. Select and copy the equation.
3. Open MathType 7.
4. Paste the equation into the MathType 7 window.

Verify it worked

• The equation appears in MathType 7 as editable mathematical content.
• The transferred equation matches the original.

Options and variations

• If the equation is displayed on a webpage: Try dragging it from the webpage into an open MathType 7 window. Drag it from the browser page, not from the MathType editing area.
• If dragging does not work: Open the equation in MathType Web and use copy and paste.

Copy equations between rich text editors

When MathType is integrated into a rich text editor such as CKEditor or TinyMCE, you may be able to copy complete equations between editor areas.

Steps

1. Select the complete equation in the source rich text editor.
2. Copy the equation.
3. Place the insertion point in the destination editor.
4. Paste the equation.

Verify it worked

• The destination editor displays the complete equation.
• You can open and edit the pasted equation using MathType.

Options and variations

• To copy between editor areas: Both editor areas must belong to the same website.
• To use LaTeX: Paste the LaTeX code into the rich text editor area and then open the resulting equation with MathType. Do not paste LaTeX directly into the MathType editing area.

Exchange equations as MathML

MathType uses MathML as its internal equation format. When you copy an equation from MathType into a plain text editor, the pasted content appears as MathML code.

Paste MathML into MathType

1. Copy a valid MathML expression from the source application.
2. Place the insertion point in MathType.
3. Paste the MathML.
4. Review the rendered equation for unsupported elements or formatting differences.

Verify it worked

• MathType renders the MathML as an editable equation.
• Supported MathML elements and attributes produce the expected notation.
• Dotted editing indicators may appear around non-printing characters such as invisible multiplication or function application. These indicators do not appear in the final rendered equation.

Options and variations

• To inspect or edit the internal MathML: Press Ctrl+Shift+X.

• For unsupported tags or attributes: MathType may ignore them or convert them into supported equivalents. They may not appear in the exported MathML.
• For default attribute values: MathType may omit them from the exported MathML. The top-level display attribute is an exception because MathType uses block as its default.
• For applications without MathML support: The equation may appear as plain MathML code instead of rendered mathematical content.

Supported copy and paste content

You can paste the following content into MathType:

• MathML: Microsoft Word 2007 and later on Windows and Word 2011 and later on macOS can be configured to copy individual equations as MathML.
• Individual symbols: MathType interprets them as MathML operator or identifier elements, depending on the character.
• Numbers: MathType interprets them as MathML number elements.
• Text: MathType accepts it within a regular text region.

Content copied from MathType is provided as MathML. The result after pasting depends on whether the destination application understands MathML.

Common errors

• A browser dialog appears when you use a toolbar button: The browser is restricting clipboard access. Use the corresponding keyboard shortcut instead.

• An equation from Word appears as incompatible content: Word is not configured to copy equations as MathML. Enable the Copy MathML option and copy the equation again.
• A selection from Word cannot be pasted: The selection contains both text and equations. Copy a single equation or a subexpression instead.
• LaTeX appears as plain text in MathType: LaTeX cannot be pasted directly into the MathType editing area. Paste it into the surrounding rich text editor.
• MathML appears as plain text in another application: The destination application does not support MathML.
• The MathML changes after editing or exporting: MathType converts imported MathML into its internal model. Unsupported and default attributes may be changed or omitted.
• An equation copied between rich text editors is not editable: The editor areas may belong to different websites or use incompatible MathType configurations.

Related

• How to insert special characters
• Reference: LaTeX support
• Reference: MathML coverage
• How to use MathType with other applications and websites
• MathType 7 with Microsoft Office 2016 or later