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Insert MathML to create math expressions

Learn how to insert MathML code to create, style, and edit math expressions.

MathML is an XML-based markup language that describes mathematical notation. It facilitates integrating and displaying complex mathematical equations in web pages and documents. With the new MathML panel in InDesign, you can ingest math expressions within the document, style, and format them to match the document text.

Try it in the app

Follow along with any project to learn how to insert, edit, and style math expressions.

Insert a math expression

  1. Create or open any InDesign document and select ObjectInsert MathML.

    Tip:

    You can also go to Window > Math Expressions and then select the Insert MathML button.

  2. Add the MathML code in the MathML Input section.

  3. Select the Preview Expression   icon to see the expression in the Expression Preview section.

    A screenshot of the Math Expressions and Insert MathML panels with a sample expression and it's preview.
    Add a MathML code to generate and add a math expression.

  4. Select PlaceYour math expression is placed as an SVG file in your document. You can anchor it just like any other SVG.

    Tip:
    • You can also place the math expression in a text frame, it will align with the baseline of the flowing text.
    • You can drag the corners to adjust the size and move the frame to place it anywhere.
  5. Update the Font Size and Fill color (including document colors) in the Math Expressions panel to match the rest of your document.

    You can export your InDesign document with math expressions to PDF (with accessibility), ePub, HTML (with accessibility), IDML (in the same version), PNG, JPEG, XML, and Publish Online (as SVG) formats.

Edit a math expression

  1. Right-click the math expression and select Edit MathML.

    Tip:

    You can also go to Window > Math Expressions and select Edit MathML.

  2. Update the MathML code in the MathML Input section.

  3. Select the Preview Expression   icon to see the updated expression in the Expression Preview section.

  4. Select Save.

Limitations

Here's a list of known limitations, and we're actively working to resolve these in future updates:

  • 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.
  • MENA letters are reversed when entered in the MathML expression.
  • By default, stroke is set to 1pt for the bounding box of math expressions. This is governed by the object style applied to it.
  • In some export scenarios, math expressions will show blank frames.

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