LaTeX support

This article describes how MathType integrations detect, render, edit, and store LaTeX expressions in supported HTML editors. It is intended for administrators, developers, and content authors who work with LaTeX expressions in MathType.

MathType integrations can render existing LaTeX expressions and allow users to edit them visually in MathType. During editing, authors usually see the LaTeX source. When the content is displayed, users see the rendered formula.

Requirements/Prerequisites:

• A supported MathType integration installed in the target HTML editor.
• LaTeX expressions enclosed in double dollar signs: $$...$$.
• No other active LaTeX or TeX renderer processing the same expressions.

Concepts:

• LaTeX source: The text-based mathematical expression written between $$...$$.
• MathML: Mathematical Markup Language; the format MathType uses to store and render formulas.
• LaTeX annotation: The original LaTeX expression stored inside the MathML using <annotation encoding="LaTeX">.

Reference details

Supported behavior:

Delimiter:

LaTeX storage model

MathType manipulates LaTeX expressions as MathML. When content is submitted, previewed, or published, MathType searches for expressions enclosed in $$...$$ and converts them into MathML.

The original LaTeX expression is stored inside the MathML using the <semantics> and <annotation> elements.

Example:

<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">
  <semantics>
    <mfrac>
      <mn>1</mn>
      <mn>2</mn>
    </mfrac>
    <annotation encoding="LaTeX">\frac12</annotation>
  </semantics>
</math>

When the HTML editor is opened again, MathType recovers the stored LaTeX from the <annotation> element and displays it in the editor for further editing.

Supported LaTeX

MathType supports LaTeX expressions that can be translated to and from MathML. Support is limited by the compatibility between LaTeX syntax and MathML.

Limitations include:

• Some LaTeX formulas have no MathML equivalent.
• LaTeX is extensible and may include custom commands or non-standard packages that MathType cannot process.
• Non-mathematical LaTeX commands, especially formatting commands unrelated to math, may not be supported.
• MathType primarily supports LaTeX instructions that have a MathML equivalent.

On this page, you can find some examples of supported LaTeX.

Configuration

API / Method / Configuration:

Example usage

When wiriseditorparselatex is set to true:

LaTeX is parsed and stored as MathML with a LaTeX annotation.

<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">
  <semantics>
    <mn>1</mn>
    <mo>+</mo>
    <mn>2</mn>
    <annotation encoding="LaTeX">1+2</annotation>
  </semantics>
</math>

MathType renders this MathML as a formula image.

When wiriseditorparselatex is set to false:

LaTeX is not parsed or stored as MathML.

$$1+2$$

MathType does not render this LaTeX code as a formula image. A separate LaTeX renderer must be used.

Error handling:
If LaTeX expressions are not rendered or converted as expected, check the following:

• The expression is enclosed in $$...$$.
• The expression uses LaTeX syntax supported by MathType.
• No other LaTeX or TeX renderer is processing the same content.
• In Moodle, the TeX Filter is disabled if you want MathType to process LaTeX.
• The wiriseditorparselatex setting is configured according to the expected storage behavior.

Related resources:

• LaTeX coverage
• MathML coverage by MathType
• Configuration table
• MathType integrations