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Formula editor
A computer program that is used to typeset mathematical works or formulae

A formula editor is a computer program that is used to typeset mathematical formulas and mathematical expressions.

Formula editors typically serve two purposes:

  • They allow word processing and publication of technical content either for print publication, or to generate raster images for web pages or screen presentations.
  • They provide a means for users to specify input to computational systems that is easier to read and check than plain text input and output from computational systems that is easy to understand or ready for publication.

Content for formula editors can be provided manually using a markup language, e.g. TeX or MathML, via a point-and-click GUI, or as computer generated results from symbolic computations such as Mathematica.

Typical features include the ability to nest fractions, radicals, superscripts, subscripts, overscripts and underscripts together with special characters such as mathematical symbols, arrows and scalable parentheses.

Some systems are capable of re-formatting formulae into simpler forms or to adjust line-breaking automatically, while preserving the mathematical meaning of a formula.

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Available systems

NameKeyboard inputGUI inputHandwriting recognitionTeX supportMathML supportRaster exportAutomatic expression layoutComputation supportPlatformNotesOutput formatsOpen source
AibaseYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoWindowsDiagramming with formula editor for UnicodeMathMathML, SVGNo
Alfred's Equation Editor (AlfredEq)Yes but limitedYesNoNoYesYesNoNoFlash PlayerAn embedded app to edit mathematical expressions on CMS/LMS/Blog web pages.No
Atito Equation Editor

Android Web App

YesYesNoYesNoYesYesYesAndroid,WebFormula editor combined with embedded solver, graphsLaTeX, PDF, PNGNo
AxMathYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesWindowsAxMath is an interactive WYSIWYG formula editor which has a scrollable symbol panel and supports semantic math input.PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF, EMF, LaTeXNo
AuroraYesNoNoYesNoYesNoNoMicrosoft Office addon. Renders using TeX.
Install Archived 2018-02-02 at the Wayback MachineYesNoNoYesNoYesNoNoActively updated Google Docs add-on. Renders using TeX. Install Archived 2018-02-02 at the Wayback Machine
Calcinator Math EditorYesYesNoYesNoNoNoYesWeb, iOSWeb GUI generates pure HTML math and LaTeXHTML, LaTeXNo
CassiopeiaYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesMac OS XScientific Wordprocessing for Mac OS X
CodeCogs Equation EditorYesYesNoYesBetaYesYesNoWebProduces HTML and graphics for inclusion of equations in any website. Can download graphics in various formats for use in reports and publications. Plugins for CK Editor, Tiny MCE, etc.PNG, JPG, SVG, SWF, EMF, MathML, LaTeX, URL
CodeCogs Excel RenderYesNoNoYesNoYesYesNoMS ExcelAdd-in to convert formulas into equations. Works offline and can also request 100% LaTeX from the online CodeCogs servers.
Collabora Office Math1YesYesNoNoYesNoYesNoOnline (Web) and Chromebooks. Windows, Linux, MacTool to create formulae that can be embedded inside other suite documentsWindows, Linux, Mac: png, jpg, pdf, html, xml, OLE. EPUB math-objects are not included in EPUB yet.Yes
Daum Equation EditorYesYesNoYesNoYesYesNoChrome browser, MacFree Math equation editor for Chrome browser and MacPNG, LaTeXNo
EQ EditorYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoiOSiOS native app. [1][dead link]]PDF, PNG, MathML, LaTeXNo
equYesYesNoYesNoYesYesNoWindows, Linux, MacHybrid CLI or GUI appPNGYes
DragMathYes but limitedYesNoYesYesNoNoNoJava applet. Open source. supports AsciiMathML. Integrations with a VLE such as Moodle.MathML, LaTeXYes
WebEQ Equation EditorYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoWebA Design Science product that has reached End of Life; replaced with MathFlow Software Development KitNo
Equation Maker for MacYesNoNoYesNoNoNoMacAvailable on Mac App StorePDF, PNGNo
Equation Notepad for AndroidYesYesNoNoNoYesYesNoFor the Android mobile operating system. Can export LaTeX.
EqualX Equation EditorYesYesNoYesNoYesYesNoWindows, LinuxEasy to use for beginners and advanced users. Highly customisable interface.EPS, PS, PNG, JPG, PDF, SVG, TEXYes
FiremathYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoAddon for the Firefox web browser.Yes
Formula Sheet Equation Editor[permanent dead link]YesYesNoYesYesYesNoNoOnline LaTeX equation editor with real-time .png, .pdf, and .tex output. Customizable resolution, font, and color. One click copy to MS Word 2007+ using MathML.
Formulator MathML WeaverYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoDual-licensing (Open source and commercial). There is a special edition that works within a browser (using Silverlight plugin).
FxSolverYesYesNoNoYesYes (print as PDF)YesNoWebFree. Registration needed only to share worksheets.PDFNo
IguanaTexNoYesNoYesYesNoNoNoFree PowerPoint plugin for inserting LaTeX equations
iMathEQ editorYesYesNoYesYesYesNoNoWeb (Win, Mac, iOS, Android)iMathEQ editor is an online WYSIWYG formula editor which can be easily integrated with online systems, like learning management systemPNG, MathML, SVG, LaTeXNo
JexNoYesYesNoNoDesigned to insert and edit equations in Openoffice
KetYesYesNoPartial onlyNoYesYesYesCross-platform (Java)Ket provides commands to enable the user to solve back-of-the-envelope calculations.ket, txt, png (single or sequence), LaTeX, HTMLYes
KFormulaYesNoNoNoNoNo
LaTeX4technicsYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoWebInteractive online WYSIWYG LaTeX editor. Over 400 math symbols. Various helper programs e.g. for matrix input or colouring. Autocompletion and syntax highlightingPNG, JPG, GIF, SVG, PDF, MathML, LaTeX
LaTeXiTYesNoNoYesNoNoNoMac OS X unofficial universal binary. Open source.
LibreOffice Math2YesYesNoNoYesNoYesNoWindows, Linux, MacTool to create formulae that can be embedded inside other suite documentspng, jpg, pdf, html, xml, OLE. EPUB math-objects are not included in EPUB yet.Yes
LiveMathYesYesNoNoYesWindows, Mac, LinuxLiveMath Maker, LiveMath View, LiveMath Plugins available.No
LyXYesYesNoYesNoNoLyX has a WYSIWYM ("what you see is what you mean") approach. Open SourcePDF, DVI, LaTeX, Text, PostscriptYes
MapleYesYescharacters onlyexport onlyexport onlyYesYesYesWindows, Linux, MacLaTeX, MathML, PDFNo
Mathcad YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesWindows and Mac OS X (a 1998 version only)HTML + jpegNo
Mathcha Editor MathchaYesYesCharacter onlyYesYesYes (SVG, or print as PDF)YesNoWebMathcha editor is an online WYSIWYG formula editor that provides very fast formula inputting, diagram(support drawing and insert math formula in diagram), saving documents and sharing materials (link, pdf, latex, png, SVG,...)PNG, PDF, LaTeX, SVGNo
MathDox formula editorYesYesNoYesYesNoNoNoJavaScript editor for creating OpenMath, Computations are now possible via external web services, but integration of these web services is under constructionYes
MathEditorYesYesNoYesNoNoYesYesWebMathEditor is an online WYSIWYG formula editor which supports formula semantic recognition and advanced accessibility. Integrated with Computer Algebra Systems and plotting libraries.json, LaTeXNo
Connexions' MathML Editor (Beta)YesYesNoNoYesNoYesNoJavascript, WYSIWYG, Open Source, Content and Presentation MathML editor. Currently, the MathML editor is only supported in Mozilla Firefox.Yes
Math EditorYesYesNoNoNoYesYesNoWindowsYes
Math I Can DoYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesWindows, Mac, Linux, WebMath editor with a focus on long-form documents such as homework. Uses ISO 80000-2 notation. Available as a desktop app or Web API. Computation supported as an experimental feature, with the optional capability to export to third-party computation tools.LaTeX (standard and MathJax-friendly), MathML, SVG, PNG, JPEG, WEBP, PDFNo
MathematicaYesYes, called "palettes"YesYesYesYesYesYesWindows, Unix/Linux, MacCDF, PDF, EPS, LaTeX, HTML, GIF, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, JPEG200, OpenEXR, BMP, PICT, WMF, EMF, XBM, PCX, FITS, DICOM, NETCDF, SVG, DXF, AVI, FLV, Quicktime, SWF, RTF, ASCIINo
MathQuillYesYesNoYesNoYesvia MathJSWebWYSIWYG DHTML LaTeX math editor in the Web browser. Currently only supports IE8+ and other modern browsers.Yes
MathLiveYesYesNoYesYesYesNoWebJavaScript-based editorLaTeX, MathML, CSS+HTML, speechYes
MathTypeYesYesYesYesYesYesYesvia Wolfram AlphaWindows, MacWorks with Microsoft Office, Apple Pages (et al.), Maple, Mathematica, iBooks Author, Gmail and over 800+ other applications and websites. Compatibility databaseGIF, EPS, TeX, LaTeX, MathML, PICT & PDF (Mac), WMF (Windows)No
MathMagicYesYesWindows onlyYesYesYesYesvia Wolfram AlphaWindows, macOS (32-bit, 64-bit), Android, iOSAlso supports Microsoft Word equations, Wolfram Alpha to see the computation results and answers, MathJax, Google Docs equations, MathType equations, Wiki equations, AsciiMathML, and Text-To-Speech to read out math expressions. Personal Edition is for general purpose use. Pro Editions mainly used with Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress for desktop publishing. Comes with many math symbol fonts, Greek fonts, text body fonts in OpenType and TrueType format. System installed fonts are also supported.PDF, SVG, EPS, PNG, Transparent PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, PICT, WMF, TIFF, Plain TeX, LaTeX, AMS LaTeX, MathML, ASCIIMath, Wolfram Alpha, Google Docs, Zoho, Text-To-Speech (Voice, Sentence)No
MathCastYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoOpen sourceYes
MathFlowYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoWindows, MacMathMLNo
Math-o-mirYesYesNoNoexport onlyYesYesNoIntended to be used as math notepad. Freeware.Yes
Math Expression Editor Light 1.2 (MEEL)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYes.NET Framework component Math Expression Editor LightNo
Microsoft Equation Editor 3.0YesYesNoNoNoNoYesNoWindows, MacDeprecated editor included in Microsoft Office products, based on limited version of MathType.OLE
Microsoft WordYesYes(Only in Microsoft Word 2016 and later version)partiallyYesYesYesNoWindows, MacA graphing-calculator plug-in is available for simple calculations and manipulationsMathML
MiraiMathYesYesNoYesNoYesYesNoJava WYSIWYG Editor, Open Source. Can be used as alternative front end to GNU OctaveYes
MyTexPointNoYesNoYesYesNoNoNoa small free program for inserting LaTeX equations into PowerPoint with a screen-shot tool
OpenOffice MathYesYesNoNoYesNoYesNoWindows, Linux, MacTool to create formulae that can be embedded inside other suite documentsYes
PubliconYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoMathematica-based technical document systemNo
Rapid-PiYesNoNoNoNoNoNoWindowsMicrosoft Word plugin
Scientific WordYesYesNoYesNoNoYesNoWindowsWYSIWYM LaTeX editor
Scientific WorkPlaceYesYesNoYesNoNoYesYesWindowsWYSIWYM LaTeX editor with symbolic math and plottingNo
SentidoYesYesNoNoYesNoNoNoJavaScript editor for creating OpenMath
ShareMath.comYes but limitedYesNoNoYesYesNoNoFlash PlayerCreate, share and remix equations on the web. Embeds AlfredEqNo
TexifyYesNoNoYesNoYesNoNoAn online LaTeX equation writer. Based on open source mimeTeX library.
TeXmacsYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNo, but can be integratedWindows, Linux, MacFree and open-source scientific WYSIWYG text editor. It offers a user-friendly interface, extensive mathematical typesetting, rich text formatting, document structure organization, collaborative editing, and extensibility. It combines the convenience of a graphical editor with the typesetting capabilities of LaTeX.HTML, LaTeX, MathML, PDF, PostscriptYes
TexPointNoYesNoYesYesNoNoNoPowerPoint plugin for inserting LaTeX equations
TeXPPTYesNoNoYesNoNoNoNoWindowsFree PowerPoint 2010 plugin for inserting LaTeX equations, fully vector based, no rasters
TeXZillaYesNoNoYesYesNoYesNoFirefox Add-OnMathMLYes
Tinkutara Equation EditorYesYesNoYesNoNoYesYesAndroidThis is an Android only editor.PNG, LatexNo
Vexlio Equation EditorYesYesNoYesNoYesYesNoWebFree formula editor with optional diagramming integrationPNG (free); SVG, PDF (paid)No
VisionObjects Equation EditorNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoA handwriting recognizer for LaTeX and MathML equations.
WIRIS editorYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoWebWIRIS editor has been re-branded MathType in 2018PNG, MathML, LaTeX, FlashNo
NameKeyboard inputGUI inputHandwriting recognitionTeX supportMathML supportRaster exportAutomatic expression layoutComputation supportPlatformNotesOutput formatsOpen source

See also

  • TeX, a typesetting system designed and mostly written by Donald Knuth
  • LaTeX, a document markup language and document preparation system for the TeX typesetting program
  • MathML, an application of XML for describing mathematical notations and capturing both its structure and content. It aims at integrating mathematical formulae into World Wide Web pages and other documents. It is a recommendation of the W3C math working group
  • Mathematical software
  • List of open-source software for mathematics

References

  1. "Collabora Office Math Features". Collabora Office. https://help.collaboraoffice.com/6.2/en-US/text/smath/main0503.html

  2. "The neat equations and formulas editor". libreoffice.org. https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/math/