Pasting LaTeX math should insert an equation, not unicode characters.

[oliveryasuna]

I have trouble copying work written in LaTeX to Canvas because I cannot simply copy-and-paste it, otherwise Canvas will paste equations as unicode characters, not an editable equation.

It would be very useful if Canvas could create an editable equation from parts of a pasted message that contain LaTeX math code.

It is absurdly cumbersome to have to rewrite, for example, long proofs, and for every equation, click on the equation icon, click on the equation dialog textfield, enter the equation, and click "Done".

[JeffCampbell · Accepted solution]

Try going to the spot on the page where you want the equation. Go to the Insert menu and choose Equation. There is a option at the bottom of the pop-up that says "Directly edit LaTex". Switch that to green and paste what you want there.

The reason it is not working is because Canvas sees it as code, but you are pasting it on the the Rich-Text Editor. So it tries to convert the symbols into unicode when you save the page. When you hit Done after using the Insert Equation option, it converts the LaTex into an equation, then inserts that into the page as an image, showing the equation properly.

[oliveryasuna]

This is a great feature, but does not solve the issue. I think the editor should detect content surrounded by $ or $$ and render it as LaTeX math, instead of unicode characters. Since it currently interprets it as unicode characters, you cannot edit the equation in the editor.

[JeffCampbell]

Can you share the equation you are trying to insert so I can try to replicate what you are seeing?

[oliveryasuna]

I just realized that it is my LaTeX editor that copies math as unicode, not Canvas that interprets it as unicode.

However, my suggestion in my last reply stands. The Canvas editor should interpret pasted content surrounded by $ or $$ as LaTeX math. For example, "$x=4\cos\left(t\right)$" (without quotes). If I open the "Equation Editor", leave "Directly Edit LaTeX" unchecked, and paste "$x=4\cos\left(t\right)$" (without quotes), it does interpret it as LaTeX. However, it would be useful if the main editor also did so.

Note that the textarea in the "Equation Editor" appears to be read-only by an partial transparent cursor when "Directly Edit LaTeX" is unchecked, but it is still editable. This seems to be cosmetic bug.

Furthermore, it would be absurdly useful is the editor detected pasted LaTeX math even when it is not surrounded by $ or $$. For example, "Q=\left\{ P,Q,R,S\right\}" (without quotes). Though, this is a whole other beast to implement.

[JeffCampbell]

I am glad you got it working. Different editors exist, but I have used THIS SITE in the past. It shows the code on the left and result on the right. Then I just copy the code into the Equation Editor with that "Directly Edit LaTex" checked. I have not had issues. 

If you feel that it should be able to directly interpret using the $ symbols, you might put in a feature idea. Canvas tends to be more limited in what code it accepts, so a good argument for why this would be value might help them to consider implementing the feature.