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Create math expressions

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Learn how to create, edit, and style math expressions in InDesign.

MathML is an XML-based markup language that describes mathematical notation. It facilitates integrating and displaying complex mathematical equations in web pages and documents. With the Math Expressions panel in InDesign, you can ingest math expressions within the document, style, and format them.

Try it in the app

Follow along with any project to learn how to insert, edit, and style math expressions.

Open InDesign

Create a math expression

You can create, insert, edit, and style math expressions on canvas using grouped math expression and symbols presets in the Math Expressions panel.

  1. Create or open any InDesign document and select Window > Math Expressions.

  2. Select Create Expression. When the cursor changes to Insert Expression, place it on the canvas.

  3. Select Expressions and Symbols from the presets given in the panel to insert the expression.

  4. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the expression.

  5. Adjust the Font Size and Fill color (including document colors) in the Math Expressions panel.

    Note:

    MathML updates automatically as you edit the expression on canvas.

Insert a math expression using MathML

  1. Create or open any InDesign document and select Object > Insert MathML.

    Tip:

    Go to Window > Math Expressions and select the Insert MathML button.

  2. Add the MathML code in the MathML Input section.

  3. Select the Preview Expression   icon to see the expression in the Expression Preview section.

    A screenshot of the Math Expressions and Insert MathML panels with a sample expression and it's preview.
    Add a MathML code to generate and add a math expression.

  4. Select Place. Your math expression is placed as an SVG file in your document. You can anchor it just like any other SVG.

    Tip:
    • You can also place the math expression in a text frame, it will align with the baseline of the flowing text.
    • You can drag the corners to adjust the size and move the frame to place it anywhere.

  5. Update the Font Size and Fill color (including document colors) in the Math Expressions panel.

    You can export your InDesign document with math expressions to PDF (with accessibility), ePub, HTML (with accessibility), IDML (in the same version), PNG, JPEG, XML, and Publish Online (as SVG) formats.

Edit a math expression on canvas

  1. Select the entire equation or a part of the equation using the Type tool   icon and edit it. 

  2. Use the arrow keys to navigate and make changes using keyboard inputs. You can also use Math panel grouped Expression and Symbol presets to edit your math expression.

    Tip:
    • You can double-click the expression using the Selection tool   icon to edit it.
    • You can copy and paste math expressions within InDesign using its on-canvas copy-paste feature. However, pasting from external sources isn’t supported.

Edit a math expression using MathML Input

  1. Right-click the math expression and select Edit MathML.

    Tip:

    You can also go to Window > Math Expressions and select Edit MathML.

  2. Update the MathML code in the MathML Input section.

  3. Select the Preview Expression   icon to see the updated expression in the Expression Preview section.

  4. Select Save.

Stylize math expressions

You can change the font color of a part of the equation, but to maintain mathematical standards, the change in font size would apply to the entire equation. Use the Type tool   icon to select a part in the equation or the entire equation to change its color.

Limitations

Here's a list of known limitations, and we're actively working to resolve these in future updates:

  • Some glyphs, such as Closed surface integral, Thick Space, Differential D, Imaginary I, Exponential E, and a rare closing bracket symbol, are not supported and appear as missing glyphs in the generated expression.
  • MENA letters are reversed when entered in the MathML expression.
  • Modifier controls that work in a text box like cmd+A, double-click, triple-click, etc. will not work while on-canvas editing of math object.

Please share your feedback on our uservoice forum.

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