Stylize math expressions

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to apply font styles, colors, and sizes to equations using the Math Expressions panel in Adobe InDesign.

You can style entire equations or selected parts using the Type tool. Math expressions support font styles, font sizes, and colors using document swatches, applied through the Math Expressions panel.

Apply formatting to entire expressions

Select the math expression on canvas using the Selection tool.

Open the Math Expressions panel by selecting Window > Math Expressions.

Choose a font style from the Font Style drop-down menu (Regular, Bold, Italic, or Bold Italic).

Adjust the Font Size value to increase or decrease the size of the equation.

Select a color from the Fill drop-down menu to change the expression color.

Apply formatting to selected portions

Select the Type tool.

Drag to select specific characters, symbols, or portions of the math expression.

Apply formatting using the Typeface Properties section in the Math Expressions panel.

Limitations

  • Some glyphs, such as Closed surface integral, Thick Space, Differential D, Imaginary I, Exponential E, and a rare closing bracket symbol, are not supported and appear as missing glyphs in the generated expression.
  • Some glyphs don’t support bold, italic, or both. Unsupported options appear greyed out in the dropdown.
  • MENA letters are reversed when entered in the MathML expression.
  • Modifier controls that work in a text box, such as cmd + A, double-click, and triple-click, will not work while editing a math object on the canvas.