Equation Maker Help

Thank you for using Equation Maker! This documentation will help you get started and answer your questions.

Topics

Equation Maker Overview

Equation Maker enables users to typeset equations using LaTeX syntax. You can drag equations into Mac applications like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Word.

Helpful Tips

  • PDF export provides superior quality; PNG serves as fallback when PDF isn't supported
  • Saving equations can be done in two ways: storing in the left table or exporting to PDF via drag-and-drop or File menu
  • Plain text insertion uses the \text{} command with math content marked by "$" characters
  • Multi-line equations Use \\
  • Reserved characters ($, &, {, }, _) need backslash escaping
  • Trigonometric and special functions are available as commands (e.g., \sin, \exp)
  • Chemical formulas are supported using \ce{}, \cf{}, or \cee{} commands (e.g., \ce{H2SO4}, \ce{2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O})
  • LaTeX code entry is faster than GUI-based equation editors once commands are learned

Equation Maker Interface

Users can enter LaTeX code into the Editor, which renders in real-time in the Equation View while preserving formatting.

Equation Maker Main Window

The Editor & Equation View

The editor provides real-time rendering with bracket highlighting during editing.

Autocomplete

Equation Maker features intelligent autocomplete to help you enter LaTeX commands quickly and accurately. As you type a backslash followed by letters, a dropdown menu appears with matching commands.

Autocomplete dropdown showing matching commands

Using Autocomplete:

  • Start typing a command (e.g., \fra) and a list of matching commands will appear
  • Use the Up/Down arrow keys to navigate through suggestions
  • Press Enter or Tab to insert the selected command
  • Press Escape to dismiss the autocomplete menu

Autocomplete can be turned on or off via View > Autocomplete in the menu bar.

Tab Navigation for Arguments

Many LaTeX commands require arguments enclosed in braces {}. Equation Maker makes it easy to fill in these arguments:

  • When you insert a command with arguments (e.g., \frac{}{}), the cursor is placed in the first argument
  • Press Tab to jump to the next argument placeholder
  • Press Shift+Tab to jump back to the previous argument
  • Continue pressing Tab to move through all arguments in the command

Example workflow:

  1. Type \frac and select it from autocomplete
  2. The command \frac{}{} is inserted with cursor in the first braces
  3. Type the numerator (e.g., x+1)
  4. Press Tab to move to the denominator braces
  5. Type the denominator (e.g., 2)
  6. Press Tab to exit the command and continue typing

The Palette

The palette assists users in recalling LaTeX commands for common mathematical elements, including:

  • Math expressions
  • Symbols
  • Greek letters
  • Decorations
  • Arrows

Equation Maker Palette

Color Selection

Use the toolbar button to customize equation appearance with different colors.

Zoom Controls

Adjust magnification using the slider for better visibility while editing.

Export Options

Drag-and-drop functionality supports PDF (high-resolution) and PNG formats. Export is accessible via:

  • Toolbar popup button
  • File menu

Saving Equations

The left-side table provides storage for saved equations with:

  • Save functionality
  • Select and delete capabilities
  • Undo/redo support

Saved Equations

Saving and Restoring from iCloud

You can back up your equations to iCloud, allowing you to sync your saved equations across multiple Macs and restore them if needed.

iCloud support icon

Enabling iCloud for Equation Maker

Before you can save equations to iCloud, you need to ensure iCloud is properly configured on your Mac:

  1. Sign in to iCloud: Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions) and click on your Apple ID at the top. Sign in if you haven't already.
  2. Enable iCloud Drive: In your Apple ID settings, click on iCloud, then ensure iCloud Drive is turned on.
  3. Verify Equation Maker access: Scroll down in the iCloud Drive settings to see the list of apps using iCloud Drive. Make sure Equation Maker is enabled.

Saving to iCloud

Once iCloud is enabled:

  • Go to File > Save Equations to iCloud to back up your saved equations
  • Your equations will be stored securely in your iCloud Drive

Restoring from iCloud

To restore previously saved equations:

  • Go to File > Restore Equations from iCloud
  • Your equations will be downloaded and added to your saved equations list