Add Math Equations With Word 2010 Equation Editor

By Usman on Mar 19 2010 9 Comments

When writing a document which primarily covers mathematical signs and equations then using Word 2010 built-in Equation feature would be of great help. In Word 2010, you can insert Equation from the built-in list instantly. Handling equation that you have written by yourself would be a bit tedious task to get by, but through this feature of Word you can manipulate them by performing simple actions and clicks. In this post we will explain how easy it is to use Equations in Word.

Launch Word 2010 document, in which you want to insert any mathematical equation.

document

Now navigate to Insert tab, and Click Equation drop-down button to view built-in list, containing different equations.

eqaution 1

Upon click desired equation from list, it will be automatically added into the document. Now click the drop-down button being present in the equation box for more options, click Change to Inline, to place it in the line you were editing.

inline eqaution

Upon click, it will be adjusted properly in the line, as shown in the screenshot below.

inserted

For editing equation values you need to click inside equation box to change values manually.

editing

For viewing it or checking equivalent linear equation, click drop-down button in equation box and click Linear. You can also save the newly created equation through single click on Save as New Equation.

linear

Now if you want to include another equation which is not present in the list, then navigate to Insert tab and from Equation options, click Insert New Equation.

new equation

You will notice a Equation Tools Design tab will appear, from Structures Group, you can select new equation from a given extended list. From Symbols group you can choose different symbols to use with equations.

design 1

Now for inserting another equation, choose the equation you want to insert in the document from Structures group.

choose eqs 1

Upon click it will automatically insert equation in to the document.

eqs

You can also include equation from Microsoft Equation 3.0, as an object. For this navigate to Insert tab, Click Object, that will open Object dialog to insert any object, select Microsoft Equation 3.0 from Object type, and click OK.

Untitled

Upon click a new window will open up where you can customize equation as shown in the screenshot below, the difference will be Word will be treated this as an object of Microsoft Equation 3.0.

new window

You can also check out previously reviewed guides on How to insert watermark in Word 2010 & Track Changes in Word 2010.

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  • edgar

    How do you install equation editor in MS 2010 beta?

  • http://www.dessci.com/ Paul Topping

    Readers of this page may be interested to know that MathType offers additional features, including equation numbering, handwritten math, integration with over 350 apps and websites. See http://www.mathtype.com.

  • http://www.dessci.com/ Paul Topping

    Yes, we will be coming out with a MathType update shortly after the release of Office 2010 as we do with all MS Office releases. They always change some things that we need to deal with though, as you guys have found, the current version mostly works.

  • Philip

    There are a few bugs with this equation editor. The inbuilt one in office 2010. (The same bugs are in the 2007) one.

    If I type an equation, with a fraction and then type some regular text on the same line as it, then the characters in the fraction will shrink (this does not happen for 1×2 matrices). a similar issue occurs if you have the corner of a 3D shape, picture or an arrow pointing to the equation.

    Has anyone found a fix or a way to prevent this (without saying use mathtype)?

    Mathtype equations are not functioning correctly in word with the fix, hats in x, y and rho appear as white boxes and appear fine on z. They print in x and y but not rho or x.

    Secondly powerpoint and excel have the equation editor included now, but not Visio, does anyone know how to get equations from the inbuilt equation editor into Visio?

  • http://www.dessci.com/ Paul Topping

    The old MathType-based Equation Editor still comes included with MS Office and will work with Visio. Just do Insert Object and choose “Microsoft Equation”. Just like MathType, EE will work with any app that support Object Linking and Embedding (OLE). Most will have an Insert Object command. Others may provide another way to do it. Obviously, choosing Insert Object every time you want to make an equation is a bit tedious so you will want to look for ways to make a shortcut for this. Each app may (or may not) have a facility for doing this. Don't know about Visio.

    • Philip

      Hey thanks for the comment, but because I have mathtype installed, it will open instead of the old equation editor.

      In addition in the 2007 version when I used microsoft equation editor 3.0, and I would type 2 characters beside each other, the would seperate significantly.
      fx would become f x with a great big space inbetween.

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  • nataly.violet

    Thanks for a great explanation. A lot of people use Word but almost noone knows about such functions. As for me, I like tutorials a lot. I often find them at rapidshare SE http://rapidpedia.com . You can always learn something new with their help. Besides, they save a lot of headaches.

  • Maynard

    The new equation editor in Word 2010 sucks – big time. Writing custom equations takes ~ 5× longer than it does with good ol’ Equation 3.0. Then, you’re allowed only one font – Cambria – so if I want to insert an alphanumeric variable from the text into the equation (e.g., GD = group delay), I have to write my whole document in the sh*tty font of Cambria! Lame, MS, lame.

    I miss Office 2003 – before the abortion known as “the Ribbon.”