Digital Math - How to Create and Edit Digital Math with EquatIO


Introduction

EquatIO is multi-platform software for digitizing math and chemistry expressions and equations. 

Contents

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. 

Downloading and Installing the Desktop Application

All Equatio for Desktop (Windows or Mac) users must be running Version 1.8.0 or higher to sign in and use the Equatio Desktop product after June 30th.

  1. Go to Texthelp EquatIO and click your operating system. 
    Image of the above instructions
  2. Open the downloaded application. If prompted, allow the installation. 
  3. Click Accept and Install.
  4. Open EquatIO by clicking its icon on the desktop.
  5. You will be prompted to authorize EquatIO. Click Sign in with Google.
    Image of the above instructions
  6. Enter your full Virginia Tech email address and click Next.
  7. Log in using your Virginia Tech Username (PID) and password, and complete the 2-factor authentication. 
  8. The EquatIO bar will appear at the bottom of your computer screen, above the Windows or MacOS toolbar.
Adding the Google Chrome Extension
  1. In Google Chrome, go to EquatIO - Math made digital and click Add to Chrome.
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  2. Click Add Extension.
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  3. The extension will be added to Google Chrome.
    • The extension icon will appear in the search bar. 
    • The EquatIO bar will appear at the bottom of your screen.
      Image of the above instructions
Accessing the Canvas External (LTI) Tool
  1. Go to Canvas' Rich Content Editor in the Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, or Syllabus tools. 
  2. Click the EquatIO icon in the Rich Content Editor.
    Image of the above instructions
  3. The Insert EquatIO Equation window will open, with a limited version of the EquatIO toolbar at the bottom.
    Image of the above instructions
Accessing 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: 

  1. Open EquatIO on your desktop. EquatIO mobile will not work on your phone without the desktop version.
  2. Go to EquatIO Mobile in your mobile browser or scan the QR code from the EquatIO bar.
    Image of the above instructions

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  3. Tap Sign in with Google and log in with your Virginia Tech Google account. 
    Image of the above instructions
  4. You will be redirected to your Microsoft 365 Active Documents. 

Resources for EquatIO Mobile

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Setting Up EquatIO

  1. On the EquatIO bar, click EquatIO -> Options. 
  2. 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. 
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    • Toolbar Options to enable and disable EquatIO features on the toolbar.Image of the above instructions
  3. Save changes on each options screen. 

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Typing to Create Digital Math

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: 

  1. Click EquatIO -> Options.
  2. Click Math Options, and under Predictions, click the sliders to enable/disable predictions for math, chemistry, and formulas.
  3. Click Save. 

Video by TLOS: Professional Development Network

 

Typing Out Equations to Create Digital Math
  1. Open EquatIO desktop application, the Canvas external tool, or the Google Chrome extension to display the EquatIO toolbar. 
  2. In the EquatIO bar, click the edit equation icon.
    Image of the above instructions
  3. Type in your equation.
  4. Prediction will recognize words and show a list of related symbols. Click a symbol to insert. 
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  5. To insert a symbol directly, click the More icon at the top right of the toolbar then click the Symbols icon.
    Image of the above instructions
  6. When you're done composing your equation, you can insert it by: 
    • Clicking Insert Math on the bottom right of the toolbar. The digital math will appear in your document.  
      Image of the above instructions

 

Video by TLOS: Professional Development Network

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Writing Equations With a Stylus, Mouse, or Touchscreen to Create Digital Math

Watch EquatIO®: How to Use Handwriting Recognition.

  1. In the EquatIO toolbar, click the pencil and letter icon.
    Image of the above instructions
  2. Use your cursor or stylist to write your equation in the grad space under Handwriting.
  3. The Math side will display the digital math.
    Image of the above instructions
  4. Click Insert Math to insert the math into Canvas.

Video by TLOS: Professional Development Network

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Converting Speech to Digital Math

Watch EquatIO®: How to Use Speech Input.

  1. In the EquatIO toolbar, click the click the microphone icon.
    Image of the above instructions
  2. Click the red and white record button on the Speech side to begin recording.
    Image of the above instructions
  3. Say your equation. EquatIO will display what you've said. 
    1. In the Canvas external tool and the Google Chrome Extension, EquatIO will automatically convert your speech to math.
    2. 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). 
      Image of the above instructions
  4. Click the record button again to stop recording.
  5. EquatIO will display the digital math. You can use the More icon to insert numbers and symbols.
    Image of the above instructions
  6. Click Insert Math to insert the math into Canvas.

Video by TLOS: Professional Development Network

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Converting Between LaTeX and Digital Math

Converting Between LaTeX and Digital Math in EquatIO
    1. In the EquatIO bar click LATEX (it's only in the desktop app and the Canvas external tool). 
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    2. A LaTeX editor will appear on the left, and the EquatIO Equation Editor on the right.
    3. Anything you enter on either side will be converted in real time to the other form. 
      Image of the above instructions
    4. Click Insert Math to insert the digital math into your document. 
Converting LaTeX to Digital Math in Microsoft 365 Applications
    1. Copy a LaTeX equation to your computer's clipboard. 
    2. In the Word document, click Insert ⇒ Equation.
      Image of the above instructions
    3. Right click the equation box. Under Paste Options, click the [A] to paste the LaTeX markup as text. 
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    4. Press enter and if your LaTeX equation has valid syntax, it will be converted into a math equation.
      Image of the above instructions
Converting LaTeX to Digital Math in Canvas
  1. Copy a LaTeX equation to your computer's clipboard. 
  2. In the Canvas rich content editor, click Insert then Equation to open the Canvas equation editor.
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  3. Click Directly Edit LaTeX and put your LaTeX equation into the box, then click Done.
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  4. The equation will appear in Canvas.

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Graphing Digital Math

Watch EquatIO®: How to use Graphing.

  1. Compose a graph-able equation using any of EquatIO's methods - typing, speech, handwriting, or conversion from LaTeX. 
  2. 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. 
  3. In the EquatIO toolbar, click the graph icon.
    Image of the above instructions
  4. The Desmos graphing tool will appear. Equations are inserted on the left, and graphs generated on the right. 
  5. 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. 
      Image of the above instructions
  6. Click Insert Graph to insert the graph in your document.

Video by TLOS: Professional Development Network

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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. 

Opening EquatIO Mobile
  1. Navigate to https://www.m.equat.io, which is the website for EquatIO mobile. 
  2. On the website, log in with the same google account that you are using for the desktop version.
  3. Open a document on your computer.
  4. On the mobile website, open an active document as shown in the below image.
    Word document is open and appears as an option under active documents
Digitizing an Equation

A prerequisite for this section is that you must already be logged into EquatIO on both your mobile device and your computer. In addition, you must have already selected an open document. To do this, follow the steps in the previous section.

Hand Write an Equation
  1. Click the pencil and letter icon.
    Image of the above instructions
  2. Draw your equation in the grid space.
    Image of the above instructions3. Click the check-mark to save your equation as math or as an image. Save as math is shown below. 
    Image of the above instructions Image of the above instructions  
Speaking an Equation
  1. Tap the microphone icon.
    Image of the above instructions
  2. Tap the red and white record button.
    Image of the above instructions
  3. Allow use of your microphone if you haven't already.
    Image of the above instructions
  4. Say your equation and EquatIO will convert it to math in real time.
  5. Click the record button again to stop recording.
  6. Click the checkmark -> Save as math.
    Image of the above instructions
Taking a Picture of an Equation
  1. Tap the camera icon.
    Image of the above instructions
  2. Allow use of your camera if your haven't already.
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  3. Click the blue and white button to take a picture of your equation, then drag the square around the equation in the picture. 
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  4. Click the check-mark to save your equation as math and click on the blue upload button in the below image.
    Image of the above instructions
Inserting an Equation Into Microsoft Word
  1. Click the blue export icon in the bottom left to copy your equation into the Microsoft Word document.
    Image of the above instructions
  2. The document will open with your equation.

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Troubleshooting

Can't Register EquatIO
  1. 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. 
  2. Try registering EquatIO on another platform. Choose from the desktop application, the Google Chrome extension, or EquatIO mobile. 
  3. 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
  1. See Texthelp (the makers of EquatIO) EquatIO Documentation.
  2. 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. You may also experiment with the equation format dataset which can be changed in the top bar of Microsoft Word after inserting an equation with the equation tool.

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Can't Sign into EquatIO Desktop

Users will need to be running Equatio for Desktop (Windows or Mac) Version 1.8.0 or higher to sign in and use the Equatio Desktop product after June 30th, 2023.

  1. Open EquatIO desktop and click on the EquatIO menu button.
  2. Click on Options.
  3. Click on About to view the version number.
  4. If you are running a version less than 1.8.0, uninstall the the application.
  5. Then go to Downloading and Installing the Desktop Application for directions for installing the latest version of EquatIO.

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Getting Help

Resources

For technical support and information on accessibility:

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