How do I use the Math Editor in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor?

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Canvas has an integrated tool for math and science formulas based on LaTeX, the industry standard for academic publication. The LaTeX Math Editor is built into the Rich Content Editor. Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, and Syllabus. Canvas also includes the option to create equations and expressions with its graphical point-and-click editor.

The Math Editor can be used for basic mathematical formatting for introductory math courses or for more advanced mathematical text for higher-level math courses. Both students and instructors have access to the editor.

For more help, download the following PDF files:

• Basic equations
• Advanced equations
• Chemistry formulas, equations, and scientific notation

Notes: 

• To have characters #, $, %, &, ^, _, {, and } appear in the Rich Content Editor, when your equation is inserted, you must use Advanced View and type a backslash (\) before the character. The ~ character can be inserted through Advanced View by typing \~~. The $ character can be inserted through Basic View by typing \$$.
• Equation images are stored as absolute (full website) URLs which may affect course copies.

Open Rich Content Editor

Open the Rich Content Editor when creating or editing an announcement, assignment, discussion, page, quiz, or syllabus.

Note: The Rich Content Editor supports keyboard shortcuts. To view the Keyboard Shortcuts menu, click the Keyboard icon or press ALT+F8 (PC keyboard) or ALT+FN+F8 (Mac keyboard).

Open Math Editor

To open the Math Editor, click the Insert Math Equation icon [1].

You can also access the Math Editor from the Rich Content Editor menubar. Click the Insert link [2], then select the Equation option [3].

Note: To view the Insert Math Equation icon, you may need to click the Options icon [4].

Create Basic Math Equation

Use the Math Editor toolbar [1] to insert an equation in the equation field [2].

Insert Equation

To add the equation, click the Done button.

Add Text to Equations

Add text around your equations in the Rich Content Editor.

Save Changes

Click the Save button to save any changes to the equation made in the Rich Content Editor.

Notes:

• The assignment, discussion, pages, and quizzes details pages display a Save & Publish button.
• The Syllabus page displays an Update Syllabus button.
• Discussion replies display a Post Reply button.

View Content

View the mathematical formulas, chemical formulas, or equations you created. Equations are rendered using MathJax. To view the MathJax options menu, right click the equation.