Navigate the MathType Web editor using a keyboard

You can navigate the MathType editor, create equations and select mathematical symbols using a keyboard instead of a mouse. This navigation model also helps users operate the editor with assistive technology.

This article explains how to move between interface areas, navigate the symbol toolbar, move through mathematical structures and insert the finished equation. For a complete list of key combinations and automatic input features, see Keyboard shortcuts in MathType Web.

Before you begin

Requirements

• Access to MathType Web in Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or an HTML editor integration.
• A keyboard for navigating the editor and entering equations.

If you use assistive technology, start it before opening MathType. Follow the instructions for your application or platform to open the editor.

Interface variations

Some controls and labels vary between integrations. For example, the button used to apply an equation may be labelled Insert, Update, Accept or OK.

MathType for Microsoft 365 and MathType for Google Workspace also include a control for keeping the current font and size as the default formatting for new equations. In these integrations, the controls at the bottom of the editor appear in the following order:

1. The default-formatting control.
2. The Cancel button.
3. The confirmation button, such as Insert.

In other integrations, the confirmation button normally appears before Cancel. Additional links or controls may also appear in the keyboard focus order.

Steps

Open the MathType editor

Open MathType using the controls provided by your application or HTML editor and wait for it to finish loading. Focus is normally placed in the equation-editing area so that you can begin typing immediately.

If focus is elsewhere, use Tab or Shift+Tab to reach the equation-editing area.

Move between interface areas

Use Tab and Shift+Tab to move forwards and backwards between interface areas or controls. Within the toolbar tab list or a symbol grid, use the arrow keys to navigate the available items. Activate a focused button or selected symbol with Space or Enter.

The principal areas of the MathType editor are:

1. The toolbar tab list, where you select a group of mathematical symbols or templates.
2. The symbols area, which contains the symbols and templates in the selected tab.
3. The equation-editing area, where you write and modify the equation.
4. The default-formatting control, available in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
5. The controls used to confirm the equation or cancel editing.
6. Documentation or help links, when included in the integration.

Write an equation

Type directly in the equation-editing area. Standard selection, clipboard and editing controls are available; see Keyboard shortcuts in MathType Web for the corresponding key combinations.

Moving through an equation follows its mathematical structure. In a fraction, for example, the up and down arrow keys can move between the numerator and denominator when the cursor position allows it. The left and right arrow keys move through the content and across structure boundaries.

Before continuing outside a fraction, root or script, use the arrow keys to move the cursor out of that structure. Check the cursor position so that the next characters appear in the intended part of the equation.

Deleting at a structure boundary can also behave differently from deleting ordinary text. With smart deleting, the first press of Backspace on Windows/Linux, or the backward-delete key on macOS, highlights what will be removed; a second press confirms deletion. The cursor position determines whether the enclosed content is preserved. For instructions and examples, see Working with mathematical structures.

Use Autoformat while typing

When Autoformat is enabled, keyboard input can create mathematical symbols and structures automatically. For example, a^b creates a superscript and typing ( inserts matching parentheses. Use the arrow keys to leave the generated structure before continuing the surrounding equation.

Select a toolbar tab

The toolbar provides mathematical symbols and structures that may not be available on a standard keyboard. You can reach a tab through the interface focus order or jump directly to it with a shortcut.

Use Tab and the arrow keys

1. From the equation-editing area, press Shift+Tab until focus reaches the toolbar tab list.
2. Use Left Arrow and Right Arrow to select the required tab.
3. Press Tab to move into that tab's symbols area.

Tab moves between interface areas. Once the tab list has focus, the left and right arrow keys move between its tabs.

Jump directly to a tab

1. With focus in the equation-editing area, press the shortcut for the required toolbar tab. For example, press Alt+1 on Windows/Linux or Ctrl+1 on macOS to open General.
2. Focus moves directly to the first symbol in the tab. Use the arrow keys to find the required symbol or template.

The shortcuts follow the standard toolbar order: Alt+1 through Alt+9, then Alt+0, on Windows/Linux. On macOS, use Ctrl with the same numbers.

To open the previous or next tab, use Alt+← or Alt+→ on Windows/Linux, or Ctrl+← or Ctrl+→ on macOS.

See Keyboard shortcuts in MathType Web for the complete mapping of tabs and key combinations.

Find and insert a symbol

Symbols inside a toolbar tab are arranged in grids rather than in a single linear list.

1. Use all four arrow keys to navigate through the symbols.
2. When you reach the required symbol or template, press Space or Enter to insert it.
3. Continue typing in the equation-editing area, where focus returns automatically.

Related symbols are grouped in grids of different sizes, so you may need to navigate both horizontally and vertically. To leave toolbar navigation without inserting an item, press Escape.

Use additional symbol sections

Some less frequently used symbols are stored in collapsible sections associated with related symbol groups.

1. Navigate through the symbol grid until you reach the control for the additional section.
2. Press Space, Enter or Down Arrow to expand it.
   
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the additional symbols.
4. Press Space or Enter to insert the selected symbol.
   

To close the expanded section without inserting a symbol, press Escape. To leave toolbar navigation and return to the equation-editing area, press Escape again if needed.

Set the default equation formatting in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace

In Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, you can keep the current equation's font and size as the default formatting for new equations.

1. Use the editor's font and size controls to choose the formatting you want.
2. From the equation-editing area, press Tab until focus reaches the default-formatting control at the bottom of the editor.
3. Activate the control to keep the current font and size for new equations.

If the option is already enabled, activate the same control again to disable it. New equations will then use the editor's original default formatting.

Insert or cancel the equation

Reach the confirmation or cancellation button with Tab, then activate it with Space or Enter.

Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace

From the equation-editing area, focus moves through the default-formatting control, then Cancel, then the confirmation button, such as Insert or Update.

In MathType for Microsoft 365, you can also press Ctrl+Enter with the editor open to perform the same action as Insert or Update.

Other integrations

The confirmation button normally appears before Cancel and may be labelled Accept or OK. Activate it to apply the equation, or activate Cancel to close the editor without applying your changes.

Keyboard command reference

This table summarizes the main commands used to navigate the MathType interface.

Verify it worked

• You can move between the principal editor areas using the keyboard.
• You can select a toolbar tab with the arrow keys or jump directly to it with its shortcut when available.
• You can navigate symbol grids and expand additional symbol sections.
• Inserting a symbol returns focus to the equation-editing area.
• You can move between equation slots and out of mathematical structures before continuing to type.
• In Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, you can reach the default-formatting control.
• You can confirm or cancel the equation without using a mouse.

Options and variations

Opening MathType

The keyboard procedure for opening MathType depends on the application in which it is integrated. Refer to the documentation for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or your HTML editor integration.

Confirmation button labels and order

Button labels and focus order can vary. Follow the controls displayed in your editor when confirming or cancelling an equation.

Optional interface elements

Documentation links and other controls may change the focus order. A customized toolbar may also contain different tabs or arrange them differently.

Shortcut availability

Some deployments disable individual shortcuts, and a browser, operating system or assistive technology may use the same key combination. If a direct toolbar shortcut is unavailable, reach the toolbar tab list with Tab or Shift+Tab and select the tab with the arrow keys.

Common errors

I cannot find the required symbol

Make sure you have selected the appropriate toolbar tab. Use all four arrow keys within its symbols area because the symbols are arranged in two-dimensional grids. Some symbols are inside additional sections that must be expanded first.

I cannot leave an additional symbol section

Press Escape to close the expanded section. The arrow keys navigate between its symbols. If you also want to return to the equation-editing area, press Escape again if needed to leave toolbar navigation.

Focus moves to browser controls

Continuing past the last editor control may move focus outside MathType. Use Shift+Tab to move backwards until you return to the required control.

The number of Tab movements does not match the article

The focus order can include different controls depending on the integration. Navigate according to the control that currently has focus. To reach a specific toolbar tab more quickly, use its direct shortcut when available.

Focus does not start in the equation-editing area

Wait for the editor to finish loading. If focus remains elsewhere, use Tab or Shift+Tab to reach the equation-editing area before entering content.

Typing continues inside a fraction, root or script

The cursor is still inside one of the structure's slots. Use the arrow keys to move outside it before continuing. If content was entered in the wrong place, undo the input and reposition the cursor.

Deleting removes more content than expected

At a structure boundary, the cursor position determines what is selected for deletion. Check the highlight before pressing the deletion key a second time. For instructions on preserving the contents of a root or paired fences, see Working with mathematical structures.

A toolbar shortcut does not work

Confirm that focus is inside MathType and that you are using the correct modifier: Alt on Windows/Linux or Control on macOS. If the shortcut is disabled or intercepted, use Tab or Shift+Tab to reach the toolbar tab list, then navigate with the arrow keys.

Related articles

• Keyboard shortcuts in MathType Web.
• Working with mathematical structures.
• Use Autoformat in MathType Web.
• Creating equations.
• Formatting equations.
• Accessibility in MathType for HTML editors.
• Accessibility in MathType for Microsoft 365 in Word.
• Accessibility in MathType for Google Workspace.