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MathType's command line options

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Versions previous to MathType 7 – MathType 6.x – are no longer commercialized or supported. It is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for security reasons. MathType 6.x will be deprecated on October 1, 2023.

Please download the latest version here. For further details on the deprecation, click here.

The MathType command line can consist of a mixture of options and equation files to be opened. If the file name contains special characters (e.g. spaces), enclose it in double-quotation marks. If the file is a MathType 7 preference file, it will be used to set the new equation preferences.

The following are valid command line options (options can be preceded with either - or /):

  • -defaults – This will cause MathType to delete all preferences and then terminate immediately. This will have the effect of restoring all of MathType Default Settings. Please use this with caution!

  • -new – Normally, if you include files to be opened on the command line, MathType will not start with an open, untitled, empty equation window. Use this option to force one to be opened. See the New command on the File menu.

  • -regserver – This causes MathType to re-register itself with OLE and then terminate immediately. This can be used to clear up some kinds of OLE problems.

  • -unregserver – This causes MathType to remove its OLE registration and then terminate immediately.

  • [file name(s)] – Causes MathType to launch with either…

    • …the specified equation file(s) opened in MathType, or

    • …preferences (styles, sizes, spacing) as defined in the specified MathType 7 preference file.

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Notes:

Two notes with regard to including MathType 7 preference files on the command line.

  1. If you specify a preference file, you cannot also specify a file to be opened.

  2. The preference file you apply with the command line must be one that you have created, rather than one of the default preference files includes with MathType when it's installed. There are technical reasons for this, and if you need to apply a default preference file, you can either load it in MathType, then save it with a new name (don't simply rename the file in the Preferences folder), or if you write us at support@wiris.com, we can help you configure the default preference files so they'll open with the command line.

Examples: (assumes the current directory in the command line is the MathType installation directory)

  • Windows:

    • mathtype.exe C:\equations\charles_law.gif "C:\equations\Eqn 23.gif"

      MathType will launch with the files charles_law.gif and Eqn 23.gif each opened in its own window, ready for editing or other use. Notice the quotes around the second file because of the space in the file name.

    • mathtype.exe "Minion Pro 12.eqp"

      MathType will launch with a blank equation editing workspace, and with styles, sizes, and spacing as defined in the Minion Pro 12.eqp preference file applied and ready to use.

  • Mac:

    • open -a mathtype "/Applications/MathType 6/Preferences/Verdana 32.eqp"

      MathType will launch with a blank equation editing workspace, and with styles, sizes, and spacing as defined in the Verdana 32.eqp preference file applied and ready to use.

    • open -a mathtype /Users/Elvis/Desktop/Equation1.pdf "/Users/Elvis/Desktop/Laplace 14.eps"

      MathType will launch with the files Equation1.pdf and Laplace 14.eps each opened in its own window, ready for editing or other use. Notice the quotes around the second file because of the space in the file name.