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Writing Math Outside Brightspace

Writing Math Outside Brightspace

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Equations

This is an in flux topic. These applications change and guidance changes downstream of that.

Google Workspace

Avoid Google Docs and Slides for equation-heavy content.

Google’s equation tools have inconsistent accessibility features. The MathType editor plugin is available but poorly integrated and difficult to use effectively. And, as noticed with other accessibility “add-ons,” features might not persist.

This is a known issue. We have formally raised it with Google and requested improvements.

Use instead: Microsoft Word, or create web pages in Brightspace.

Microsoft Office

Word and PowerPoint have built-in equation editors that create properly marked-up equations in OMML. These are accessible when the document is viewed in the desktop application. These features do not necessarily exist when the file is previewed in the web browser, which is extremely common.

Make sure to let all learners who need access to marked-up equations know to download the files and open them in Word or PowerPoint.

Writing Equations in Word or PowerPoint

Open the Equation Editor

  • Word: Press Alt + = (Windows) or Control + = (Mac).
  • PowerPoint: There is no keyboard shortcut for Mac. Use Insert then Equation on Mac.

Note: there is a way to add this shortcut through MacOS settings.

Set the Input Mode

If you plan to write and convert LaTeX, select LaTeX in the upper left.

Enter Your Equation

Enter the equation using the equation editor or using LaTeX in the enter equation here area. Press Enter or click out of the box to finish.

Select Format Options

Use the dropdown to select different presentation modes or convert to an inline expression.

If you have LaTeX documents and their original source. Check out pandoc and its built in texmath converter to possibly conver LaTeX to Word or Web Pages. Contact Station, the STEM Accessibility Coordinator if you are interested and need more information.

A Note on MathType

MathType is available as a plugin for Office, but Word doesn’t officially support MathML output. It’s unclear how equations appear when the plugin isn’t installed on a student’s machine. The built-in equation editor is more reliable for document-based work.

For true MathML output, web pages remain the best option. See MathML, MathJax and MathType for details.

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