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                      Toolbar and keyboard shortcuts

                      Reading time: 2min

                      This reference describes the default MathType toolbar tabs and the keyboard shortcuts available for toolbar navigation. Use it to identify toolbar sections, move between them and select symbols or templates using a keyboard.

                      The shortcuts are organized separately for Windows and Linux and for macOS because the key combinations differ between operating systems.

                      Before you begin

                      Requirements

                      • MathType Web or a MathType integration using the standard toolbar.
                      • A keyboard if using shortcut-based toolbar navigation.

                      Terms used in this reference

                      • Toolbar tab: A group of symbols, templates and commands organized by mathematical category.
                      • Shortcut: A keyboard combination used to move directly to a toolbar tab or perform a navigation action.
                      • Symbol area: The active toolbar area where symbols and templates can be selected using the keyboard.
                      • Editing area: The area in which you write and modify the equation.

                      Toolbar tab shortcuts

                      Each default toolbar tab has a corresponding shortcut. The number used in the shortcut matches the tab's position in the toolbar, with 0 assigned to the tenth tab.

                      # Tab name Icons Windows/Linux shortcut macOS shortcut
                      1 General General toolbar tab icons Alt+1 Ctrl+1
                      2 Symbols Symbols toolbar tab icons Alt+2 Ctrl+2
                      3 Arrows Arrows toolbar tab icons Alt+3 Ctrl+3
                      4 Greek, letters and numbers Greek, letters and numbers toolbar tab icons Alt+4 Ctrl+4
                      5 Matrices and elementary Matrices and elementary toolbar tab icons Alt+5 Ctrl+5
                      6 Scripts and layouts Scripts and layouts toolbar tab icons Alt+6 Ctrl+6
                      7 Decorations Decorations toolbar tab icons Alt+7 Ctrl+7
                      8 Big operators Big operators toolbar tab icons Alt+8 Ctrl+8
                      9 Calculus Calculus toolbar tab icons Alt+9 Ctrl+9
                      10 Contextual Contextual toolbar tab icons Alt+0 Ctrl+0

                      Depending on the deployment, some or all keyboard shortcuts may be disabled.

                       

                      Keyboard navigation commands

                      When MathType opens, the cursor is placed in the editing area. You can use the following commands to move from the editing area to the toolbar, navigate its tabs and symbols, and then return to the equation.

                      Using a keyboard shortcut to move from the MathType editing area to the toolbar

                      This reference lists the shortcuts available for toolbar navigation. For a complete workflow covering focus movement, symbol grids, additional symbol sections and the controls at the bottom of the editor, see Navigate the MathType editor using a keyboard.

                       
                      Action Windows/Linux macOS Description
                      Open a specific toolbar tab Alt+1 to Alt+0 Ctrl+1 to Ctrl+0 Moves directly to the corresponding toolbar tab.
                      Move to the previous tab Alt+← Ctrl+← Opens the tab to the left of the current tab.
                      Move to the next tab Alt+→ Ctrl+→ Opens the tab to the right of the current tab.
                      Move between symbols Arrow keys Arrow keys Moves through the available symbols and templates in the active tab.
                      Open additional symbol sections ↓ ↓ Enters an expanded symbol section when available.
                      Insert the selected symbol Space or Enter Space or Return Inserts the selected symbol or template into the formula.
                      Cancel toolbar navigation Esc Esc Returns to the editing area without inserting a symbol.
                      Navigating symbols and templates in the active MathType toolbar tab

                      Example usage

                      To insert a symbol from the General tab using only the keyboard:

                      1. Press Alt+1 on Windows or Linux, or Ctrl+1 on macOS, to open the General tab.
                      2. Use the arrow keys to move through the available symbols.
                      3. Press Space or Enter to insert the selected symbol.

                      After inserting the symbol, MathType returns to the editing area automatically.

                      Troubleshooting

                      A shortcut does not work

                      Check whether keyboard shortcuts are disabled in your MathType deployment or whether the host application is using the same shortcut for another action.

                      Related articles

                      • Navigate the MathType editor using a keyboard.
                      • Contextual tab.
                      • Contextual tab examples.
                      • Configure the MathType toolbar.
                      • Using MathType Web.

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                      Toolbar and keyboard shortcuts

                      Before you begin Requirements Terms used in this reference Toolbar tab shortcuts Keyboard navigation commands Example usage Troubleshooting A shortcut does not work Related articles

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