Adding an Equation Editor Tool

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated January 11, 2014)

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

Deleting Datasheet Rows or Columns

How to remove information from your datasheet.

Discover More

Using Parallel Columns

Users of WordPerfect know what parallel columns are. There is no such capability in Word, but there are ways you can achieve ...

Discover More

Resetting Default Names for New Worksheets

When you add a new worksheet to a workbook, Excel gives it a default name that consists of "Sheet" followed by a number. If ...

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 Fraction Bar Overhang Spacing in the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor is a great tool for easily creating fancy-looking equations in your document. One setting you can control ...

Discover More

Setting a Spacing Adjustment in the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor is a handy tool when you are creating documents that rely on mathematical formulas. If you want to adjust ...

Discover More

Setting Superscript Height in the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor makes it easy to create and add equations to your documents. Here's how to adjust where the equation's ...

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 8Mpixels. 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 0 + 7?

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 © 2017 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.