Canvas Guides (English)Canvas GuidesCanvas Student GuideRich Content EditorHow do I use the Math Editor in the Rich Content Editor as a student?

How do I use the Math Editor in the Rich Content Editor as a student?

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, and Quizzes. 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, view the following resource documents:

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 \$$.

Open Rich Content Editor

Open Rich Content Editor

Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.

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 Option+F8 (Mac keyboard).

Open Math Editor

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

Create Basic Math Equation

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

Insert Equation

Insert Equation

To add the equation, click the Done button.

Add Text to Equations

Add Text to Equations

Add text around your equations in the Rich Content Editor.

Save Changes

Save Changes

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

Note: When using the Rich Content Editor in Discussions, the Save button may appear as the Post Reply button.

View Content

View Content

View the mathematical formulas, chemical formulas, or equations you created.