Adding an Equation Editor Tool

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated August 21, 2018)

6

The Equation Editor allows you to easily define complex equations within a Word document. Many other WordTips have dealt with how to use the Equation Editor and format equations. Normally, you use one of these two methods to start the Equation Editor:

  • Double-click on an existing equation originally created with the Equation Editor.
  • Choose Object from the Insert menu. Word displays the Object dialog box. Choose Microsoft Equation from the list.

If you use a lot of equations in your documents, these methods can quickly become tedious. To make life easier, you can add an Equation Editor tool to any toolbar. To add the tool, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Customize from the Tools menu. Word displays the Customize dialog box.
  2. Make sure the Commands tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)

    3. Figure 1. The Commands tab of the Customize dialog box.

  3. In the Categories list, choose All Commands.
  4. In the Commands list, choose Insert Equation.
  5. Drag the Insert Equation command to a position on an existing toolbar.
  6. Click on Close.

Now, to invoke the Equation Editor, just click on the new tool. When you do, the Equation Editor springs to life, ready to help you.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1419) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Inserting Datasheet Rows or Columns

Microsoft Graph provides a handy way to add simple charts to your document without the need for Excel. Those charts are ...

Discover More

Locking Icons on the Desktop

Your desktop is supposed to be place where you can put your most-often-used program and file icons. You can spend hours ...

Discover More

Incrementing References by Multiples when Copying Formulas

You can easily set up a formula to perform some calculation on a range of cells. When you copy that formula, the copied ...

Discover More

Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access) with VBA programming, using it for writing macros, automating Office applications, and creating custom applications. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2013 today!

More WordTips (menu)

Setting Limit Depth Spacing in the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor is a handy tool, particularly for those who must include mathematical equations in their documents. ...

Discover More

Adding Lines in an Equation Editor Matrix

If you are using matrices in your equations, you can add lines to a matrix by applying this tip.

Discover More

Setting Denominator Depth Spacing in the Equation Editor

How to change the distance between a fraction bar and the baseline of the number below it.

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 1 + 3?

2015-03-24 20:27:29

George

This does not insert a Microsoft Equation 3.0. Still have to go through three steps to put that on the Word document.

2015-02-16 18:09:47

John Mitchell

None of this is needed. There is a keyboard shortcut to insert an equation.
It's ALT =. Hold down the ALT key and type = to open the equation editor wherever the cursor is.

2014-12-06 21:24:57

Gurumani

Certain Summation symbols in Equation 3 is not working. Second in the "Summations". When clicked it appears but when finished, the third design appears. Can you please help?

2014-12-04 19:36:44

Chris Mackenzie

When using Equation Editor how do I keep in the actual equation and use second and third lines?

2014-08-10 16:25:03

jackpol

I was able to find "insert equation" but when I dragged it up to the toolbar it disappeared in Word 97

2014-08-09 06:30:53

rob

Hi thanks, the instructions of how to insert the equation editor are clear. However the button remains disabled. How comes?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.