Introduction
EquatIO is multi-platform software for digitizing math and chemistry expressions and equations.
- Input math using a text editor, LaTeX, or use handwriting, screenshot, or speech recognition.
- Insert math into Microsoft Word, Google Suite tools, and Canvas.
- Make math accessible!
Contents
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Instructions
EquatIO platforms and features
EquatIO runs on your desktop, as a Google Chrome extension, in Canvas, and on mobile devices. Different platforms have different EquatIO features.
EquatIO Feature
|
Description
|
Desktop Application
|
Google Chrome Extension
|
Canvas External Tool
|
EquatIO Mobile*
|
Digitize Math, Physics, and Chemistry Expressions |
Digitize equations and expressions from multiple disciplines |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Equation Editor |
Digitize typed-out math |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Equation Editor Predictions |
Predict typed-out math |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Insert MathSpace Drawings |
Insert MathSpace Drawings |
|
✔ |
|
|
LaTeX Editor |
Digitize math using LaTex markup |
✔ |
|
✔ |
|
Handwriting Recognition |
Digitize photos of handwritten equations |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Digital writing Recognition |
Digitize math written with a mouse or tablet |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Screenshot Reader |
Digitize math screenshots |
✔ |
✔ |
|
|
Camera-to-Math |
Digitize photos with math |
|
|
|
✔ |
Speech Input |
Digitize spoken math |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Graph Editor |
Enter equations to create graphs |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Screenshot Reader |
Read aloud math in screenshots |
✔ |
✔ |
|
|
*EquatIO Mobile functions differently from the other platforms and is described separately.
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Getting EquatIO
The Accessible Technologies group provides EquatIO to Virginia Tech affiliates - faculty, students, staff, and alumni - at no cost.
Download and install the desktop application
- Go to Texthelp EquatIO and click your operating system.

- Open the downloaded application. If prompted, allow the installation.
- Click Accept and Install.
- Open EquatIO by clicking its icon on the desktop:
- You will be prompted to authorize EquatIO. Click Google.

- Enter your VT email address (not your PID) and click Next.
- Log in using your PID, PID password, and second factor. A confirmation message will appear.
- The EquatIO bar will appear at the bottom of your computer screen, above Windows or MacOS toolbar.
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Add the Google Chrome extension
- In Google Chrome, go to EquatIO - Math made digital and click Add to Chrome.

- Click Add Extension.

- The extension will be added and you'll go to an introductory screen. Click Student, Teacher, or I'd rather not say...
- You'll go to a new Gogole Doc.
- The EquatIO bar will appear at the bottom of the doc
- The extension icon will appear in the search bar.

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Access the Canvas external (LTI) tool
- Go to Canvas' Rich Content Editor in the Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, or Syllabus tools.
- Click the EquatIO icon in the Rich Content Editor.
- The Insert EquatIO Equation window will open, with a limited version of the EquatIO toolbar at the bottom.

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Access EquatIO Mobile
EquatIO Mobile is a limited version of EquatIO. It can only access EquatIO math in documents you have created with EquatIO and a Microsoft 365 application. To use it, you must:
- Have the desktop application. See Download and install the desktop application section above.
- Have Microsoft 365. See Microsoft 365.
Open and log in
- Open EquatIO on your desktop. EquatIO mobile will not work on your phone without the desktop version.
- Go to EquatIO Mobile in your mobile browser or scan the QR code from the EquatIO bar.


- Tap Sign in with Google and log in with a Google account.
- You will be redirected to your Microsoft 365 Active Documents.
Resources for EquatIO Mobile
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Setting up EquatIO
- Set up EquatIO display, toolbar, prediction, and input options.
- Options differ depending on the EquatIO platform.
To access EquatIO options:
- On the EquatIO bar, click EquatIO -> Options. In the Options window, click:
- Math Options to set font size and turn on/off predictive help for math and chemistry equations and for formulas.

- Toolbar Options to enable and disable EquatIO features on the toolbar.

- Desktop Options to insert math as a Microsoft Word equation.

- Save changes on each options screen.
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Typing to Create Digital Math
Background
- The Equation Editor can predict what you type and turn words into symbols.
- Access the Equation Editor on the EquatIO Toolbar in the desktop application, Google Chrome Extension, and Canvas external tool, but not in EquatIO Mobile.
- Equation digital math can be inserted as math, LaTeX, as an image file, and more.
Predictive Text
Prediction will offer suggestions for a symbol as you type in Equation Editor. For example, if you type "add," it will insert "+."
Math predictions are enabled by default, but you can also turn on predictions for chemistry and formulas. To change your prediction options:
- Click EquatIO -> Options.
- Click Math Options, and under Predictions, click the sliders to enable/disable predictions for math, chemistry, and formulas.
- Save.
Type out equations to create digital math
- Open EquatIO desktop application, the Canvas external tool, or the Google Chrome extension to display the EquatIO toolbar.
- In the EquatIO bar, click the edit equation icon.

- Type in your equation.
- Prediction will recognize words and show a list of related symbols. Click a symbol to insert.

- To insert a symbol directly, click the More icon at the top right of the toolbar then click the Symbols icon.

- When you're done composing your equation, you can insert it by:
- On the bottom right of the toolbar, click Insert Math. The digital math will appear in your document.

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Writing Equations with a or Mouse or Touchscreen to Create Digital Math
Background
- Handwriting recognition you to write your equation on screen, and EquatIO will recognize and convert it into digital math.
- Access handwriting recognition on the EquatIO toolbar on all platforms - EquatIO Desktop Editor, Google Chrome Extension, Canvas external tool, and EquatIO Mobile.
Watch EquatIO®: How to Use Handwriting Recognition
Write equations on screen to create digital math
- In the EquatIO toolbar, click the pencil and letter icon.

- Use your cursor or stylist to write your equation in the grad space under Handwriting.
- The Math side will display the digital math.

- Click Insert Math to insert the math into Canvas.
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Converting Speech to Digital Math
Background
- Speech input allows your to say your equation and EquatIO will record and convert it into a math equation.
- Access speech input on the EquatIO toolbar on all platforms - EquatIO Desktop Editor, Google Chrome Extension, Canvas external tool, and EquatIO Mobile.
Watch EquatIO®: How to Use Speech Input
Speak to insert digital math
- In the EquatIO toolbar, click the click the microphone icon.

- Click the red and white record button on the Speech side to begin recording.

- Say your equation. EquatIO will display what you've said.
- In the Canvas external tool and the Google Chrome Extension, EquatIO will automatically convert your speech to math.
- In the desktop app, EquatIO will display your speech as words until you click pause. Then it will convert your speech to math (screenshot shows desktop application).

- Click the record button again to stop recording.
- EquatIO display the digital math. You can use the More icon to insert numbers and symbols (screenshot shows Canvas external tool).

- Click Insert Math to insert the math into Canvas.
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Converting between LaTeX and Digital Math
Background
- EquatIO's LaTeX editor converts LaTeX markup into digital math and vise versa.
- It is available on the EquatIO desktop application and the Canvas external tool, but not in the Google Chrome extension or EquatIO Mobile.
- Microsoft Word and Canvas can also convert the LaTeX into digital math.
Convert between LaTeX and digital math in EquatIO
- In the EquatIO bar click LATEX (it's only in the desktop app and the Canvas external tool).

- A LaTeX editor will appear on the left, and the EquatIO Equation Editor on the right.
- Anything you enter on either side will be converted in real time to the other form.

- Click Insert Math to insert the digital math into your document.
Convert LaTeX in digital math in Microsoft 365 applications
- Copy a LaTeX equation to your computer's clipboard.
- In the Word document, click Insert ⇒ Equation.

- Right click the equation box. Under Paste Options, click the [A] to paste the LaTeX markup as text.
- The LaTeX equation will appear in the equation box.

- In the upper left click LaTeX then Convert.
- Click All - Professional.

- Your LaTeX equation will be converted into a math equation.

Convert LaTeX to digital math in Canvas
- Copy a LaTeX equation to your computer's clipboard.
- In the Canvas rich content editor, click Insert then Equation to open the Canvas equation editor.

- Click Switch View to Advanced.

- In Canvas equation editor, paste the LaTex equation. Canvas will convert it into a digital math.
- Click Insert Equation.

- The equation will appear in Canvas.
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Graphing Digital Math
Background
- Use EquatIO's Graph Editor to visualize equations visual and insert graphs into your document.
- The Graph Editor is accessible on the EquatIO toolbar in the desktop application, the Google Chrome Extension, and the Canvas external tool, but not in EquatIO Mobile.
Watch EquatIO®: How to use Graphing
Create and insert a graph
- Compose a graph-able equation using any of EquatIO's methods - typing, speech, handwriting, or conversion from LaTeX.
- Copy the digital math.
- In the desktop app, click the copy icon.
- In the Canvas external tool and Google Chrome extension, select the digital math and copy it to your clipboard.
- In the EquatIO toolbar, click the graph icon.

- The Desmos graphing tool will appear. Equations are inserted on the left, and graphs generated on the right.
- If your equation doesn't automatically appear, paste it into the left side of the screen.
- You can also click the + under Graph to use the Desmos equation editor, but EquatIO's equation editor is better.

- Click Insert Graph to insert the graph in your document.
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Using EquatIO Mobile
EquatIO Mobile is a limited version of EquatIO supporting speech recognition, stylus-written equations, and camera/photo recognition of equations. It functions differently from the EquatIO desktop application, Canvas external tool, and Google Chrome extension, so it is described separately here.
Open EquatIO Mobile
- In the EquatIO Mobile app, open an active document in your Microsoft 365 account.

Digitize an equation
Hand write an equation
- Click the pencil and letter icon.
- Draw your equation in the grid space.
- Click the check-mark to save your equation as math or as an image. Save as math is shown below.
Speak an equation
- Tap the microphone icon.
- Tap the red and white record button.
- Allow use of your microphone if your haven't already.
- Say your equation and EquatIO will convert it to math in real time.
- Click the record button again to stop recording.
- Click the checkmark -> Save as math.
Take a picture of an equation
- Tap the camera icon.
- Allow use of your camera if your haven't already.
- Click the blue and white button to take a picture of your equation, then drag the square around the equation in the picture.
- Click the check-mark to save your equation as math or as an image.

Insert an equation into Microsoft Word
- Click the blue export icon in the bottom left to copy your equation into the Microsoft Word document.

- The document will open with your equation.

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Resources
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Troubleshooting
Can't register EquatIO
- Make sure you have access to EquatIO through Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech affiliates - faculty, staff, students, and alum - can use EquatIO for free through Virginia Tech. Others cannot.
- Try registering EquatIO on another platform. Choose from the desktop application, the Google Chrome extension, or EquatIO mobile.
- If you still can't register EquatIO, go to 4help.vt.edu, log in, and click Get Help. Explain your problem and submit.
Trouble using EquatIO
- See Texthelp (the makers of EquatIO) EquatIO Documentation.
- Contact Texthelp Support:
Can't convert to LaTeX in Microsoft Word
Only the Microsoft 365 version of Microsoft Word supports LaTeX conversion. Active Virginia Tech affiliates have access to Microsoft 365.
See:
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