Get started with MathType in Microsoft Word

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

Before you begin

Prerequisites

• Basic familiarity with editing documents in Microsoft Word.

Requirements

• The MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365 is installed. See Install the MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365.
• MathType is activated. See Activate the MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365.
• Access to a supported version of Microsoft Word. See MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365: Overview.

See it in action

Watch this video for an introduction to using MathType in Microsoft Word:

Steps

Step 1: Open MathType in Word

Why: You need to open the MathType editor before you can create and insert equations in your Word document.

1. Open a document in Microsoft Word.
2. Open the MathType Add-in tab from the Word interface.
3. Select Open MathType.

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 in your Word document.

1. Place the cursor where you want to insert the equation in your document.
2. Open MathType.
3. Create your equation using the MathType editor. You can type characters directly or use the available symbols and templates.
4. Insert the equation into your document.

Checkpoint: You should see the equation inserted at the current cursor position in your Word document.

Step 3: Edit an equation

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

1. Select the MathType equation you want to edit.
2. Open it with MathType.
3. Make your changes in the editor.
4. Insert the updated equation into the document.

Checkpoint: You should see the updated equation in your Word document.

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 recognized expression.
5. Insert the equation into Word.

Checkpoint: You should see the handwritten expression converted into an equation and inserted in your Word document.

Step 5: Create an equation from LaTeX or MathML

Why: MathType lets you use existing LaTeX or MathML code as an alternative to creating an equation with the visual editor.

1. Open the MathType Add-in tab.
2. Select Open LaTeX or Open MathML.
3. Enter or paste your LaTeX or MathML code.
4. Convert the input into an equation.
5. Insert the equation into Word.

Checkpoint: You should see the LaTeX or MathML input converted into an equation in your Word document.

You can also use the available keyboard shortcuts to open the LaTeX or MathML input directly.

Step 6: Get the MathML of an equation

Why: Retrieving an equation as MathML lets you reuse its mathematical content in other MathML-compatible applications and environments.

1. Select the MathType equation in Word.
2. Use the Open MathML option to obtain its MathML.
3. Copy the MathML for use in another application or environment.

Checkpoint: You should have the MathML representation of the selected equation available to copy and reuse.

Step 7: Work with existing equations

Why: Word documents may contain equations created with different equation editors, and the workflow for editing them depends on their format.

1. Select the existing equation you want to work with.
2. Identify whether the equation was created with: the MathType Add-in, Microsoft Word's native equation editor, MathType 7, or MathType in Google Docs.
3. Follow the appropriate workflow for the equation format.

Checkpoint: You should be able to identify the type of equation you are working with and determine the appropriate MathType workflow.

Equations created with the MathType Add-in

Equations created with the MathType Add-in can be reopened and edited directly with MathType, as described in Step 3: Edit an equation.

MathType 7 equations

Equations created with MathType 7 can be converted to the MathType Add-in format so that you can continue editing them with MathType for Microsoft 365. In Word desktop, open the MathType Add-in tab and select Convert from MT7 to start the conversion.

For the complete conversion workflow and its limitations, see Convert MathType 7 equations to MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365.

Microsoft Word equations

MathType can work with supported equations created using Microsoft Word's native equation editor. In a supported environment, select the Microsoft Word equation and open it in MathType to continue editing.

Equations from Google Docs

MathType supports workflows for moving documents and equations between Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Compatibility depends on how the equations were created and how the document is transferred between applications.

For supported workflows and known limitations, see Microsoft Word and Google Docs compatibility.

You're done

You have now created and edited equations with MathType in Microsoft Word and explored handwriting, MathML and LaTeX input, and workflows for existing equations. Next, you can explore:

• Get started with MathType in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Try the new MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365.
• Using MathType Web.
• MathType Web introductory tutorials.

Troubleshooting

The MathType Add-in does not appear in Word

Make sure MathType is installed and that you are using a supported version of Microsoft Word.

See Install MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365 for installation troubleshooting.

MathType opens, but I cannot use the editor

Make sure MathType is activated and that you are signed in with an account associated with a valid subscription, Community Subscription, trial, or product key.

See Activate MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365 for activation instructions.

I cannot edit an existing equation

Make sure you select the equation before opening MathType. The editing workflow also depends on the equation's format. 

Equations created with MathType 7 may need to be converted before they can be edited with the MathType Add-in.

An equation created with MathType 7 does not open in the MathType Add-in

Convert the equation to the MathType Add-in format using Convert from MT7. Before converting existing documents, see Convert MathType 7 equations to MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365 for the complete workflow and conversion limitations.

Related

• MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365: Overview.
• Install MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365.
• Activate MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365.
• Get started with MathType in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Try the new MathType Add-in for Microsoft 365.
• Using MathType Web.
• MathType Web introductory tutorials.