MathType Toolbar/Tab has disappeared from Microsoft Word

In some cases, the MathType tab may disappear from the Microsoft Word ribbon/toolbar. When this occurs, the tab shown in the screenshot below will no longer be visible.

This issue typically occurs after Microsoft Office performs an automatic update. During the update process, add-ins may be disabled, which can remove custom tabs from the Word ribbon.

Before you begin

Depending on your operating system, follow the appropriate section: Windows or Mac.

MathType requirements: If you are using MathType 6, first refer to the compatibility table in the Options and variations section to ensure your MathType version is compatible with your current version of Microsoft Word.

Windows

This section describes how to restore the MathType tab in Word on Windows.

It is recommended to first check your version of Word:

• Open Word
• Go to File > Account
• Click About Word

Your version will be displayed (for example: Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (16.0.13127.20402) 64-bit).

Steps

1. Launch Microsoft Word.
2. Click on File > Options.
3. In the left panel, select Add-ins.
4. At the bottom of the window, select Word Add-ins from the dropdown menu and click Go.
    
5. In the Templates and Add-ins window, check whether the following items are present under Global Templates and add-ins.
   
   

   Note

   In older versions of Word, the file name may include the version year (for example, MathType Commands 2013, MathType Commands 2010, or simply MathType Commands).

   In MathType 6, the file name will appear as: MathType Commands 6 for Word 2016 (or another year depending on your Word version).

    
6. If the items are present:
   • Ensure MathType Commands is checked.
   • If using MathType 6, ensure both items are checked.
      
7. If the items from step 5 are not present, follow these steps:
   1. Click the Add button.
   2. In the Add Template window, navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\MathType\Office Support\64
      

      Note

      For Word 2010, use:
      C:\Program Files (x86)\xinfo:variable="MathType5"\Office Support\64
       

       
   3. In the folder, locate the following files (names may vary depending on your Word version):
      
      • WordCmds.dot
      • MathType Commands 2016.dotm (for MathType 7 or later)
      • MathType Commands 6 for Word 2016.dotm (for MathType 6)  
        If no .dotm file is found, verify that your MathType version is compatible with your Word version.
        

        Note

        For Word 2010, file names may appear as:
          -  WordCmds.dot 
          -  xinfo:variable="MathType5" Commands 2010.dotm (for MathType 7 or later)
          -  xinfo:variable="MathType5" Commands 6 for Word 2010.dotm (for MathType 6)

         
   4. Select the MathType Commands file and click Open to add it, then ensure it is selected (checked). If you are using MathType 6, repeat this process for the WordCmds.dot file.
      
       
8. The MathType tab should now reappear in Word. It may take a few seconds for Word to load.

Mac

This section describes how to restore the MathType tab in Word on macOS.

It is recommended to first check your version of Word:

• Open Word
• Click Word > About Microsoft Word

Your version will be displayed (for example: 16.107.2). Version mapping:

• 14.xx → Word 2011
• 15.xx → Early Word 2016. If the Word 2016 version is earlier than 15.39, an update is required.
• 16.xx → Word 2016 or later

Steps

1. Launch Microsoft Word.
   

   Note

   For Word 2011, if the MathType menu is visible but the toolbar is not, go to View > Toolbars and enable MathType.
   If this resolves the issue, you can skip the remaining steps.

    
2. Go to Tools > Templates and Add-ins.
    
3. Check whether MathType Commands is listed and selected under Global templates and add-ins.
   
   

   Note

   For Word 2011, the listed and selected files should be the following:
   

    
4. If present, ensure it is checkmarked and press OK.
    
5. If the items from step 3 are not present, follow these steps:
   1. Click the + or Add button. This opens a window titled Choose a template to add or Choose a File.
   2. Navigate to the folder: MathType > Office Support
   3. Find MathType Commands 2016.dotm (or the corresponding ones for Word 2011), select it, and click Open.
   4. This will bring it into the Templates and Add-ins box. Ensure it is checkmarked and click OK.
       
6. The MathType tab should now appear in Word. It may take a few seconds to load.
    

Verify it worked

A new tab named MathType should now appear in the Word ribbon, as shown in the following screenshot:

If you have worked through this process and the MathType tab is still not on the ribbon in Word, please write to support@wiris.com and let us know you've gone through the steps here and that you still don't have a MathType tab in Word.

Options and variations

If you are using MathType 6, refer to the compatibility table below. If your version is not supported, please contact us so we can help with upgrading MathType.

To check your MathType version:

• On Windows: Open MathType, go to Help > About MathType. The MathType version number will appear (e.g., MathType 7.10.1.458).
• On Mac: Open MathType, click the MathType menu, and select About MathType.

Compatibility Table