Write or insert an equation

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You can type an equation in your document or insert an equation in the following ways:

• Choose from a list of frequently used or preformatted equations
• Insert or type symbols
• Insert commonly used mathematical structures

Write an equation

Insert a frequently used or preformatted equation

Insert a commonly used math structure

Write an equation

To write an equation, you can use Unicode character codes and Math AutoCorrect entries to replace text with symbols. For more information, see Insert a symbol or special character.

When you type an equation, Word automatically converts the equation into a professionally formatted equation.

1. On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, click the arrow next to Equations, and then click Insert New Equation.

   

2. Type an equation.

Insert a frequently used or preformatted equation

• On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, click the arrow next to Equations, and then click the equation that you want.

  

Add an equation to the list of frequently used equations

1. Select the equation that you want to add.
2. Under Equation Tools, on the Design tab, in the Tools group, click Equation, and then click Save Selection to Equation Gallery.
3. In the Create New Building Block dialog box, type a name for the equation.
4. In the Gallery list, click Equations.
5. Select any other options that you want.

Insert a commonly used math structure

1. On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, click the arrow next to Equations, and then click Insert New Equation.

   

2. Under Equation Tools, on the Design tab, in the Structures group, click the structure type that you want, such as a fraction or a radical, and then click the structure that you want.
3. If the structure contains placeholders, click in the placeholders and type the numbers or symbols that you want. Equation placeholders are small, dotted boxes in an equation .