How to insert equations or formula while writing notes in Libre Office?
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I have downloaded a pdf file from an other program in libre office It shows te equations completely wrong. What can i do?– user296824Jun 22, 2014 at 10:04
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1LibreOffice Math Guide: wiki.documentfoundation.org/images/a/ae/…– Mukesh ChapagainMar 20, 2015 at 8:25
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How to: solution: with your fingers !– user610658Aug 23, 2018 at 7:24
6 Answers
The most basic answer to your question is Insert -> Object -> Formula
in LibreOffice Writer.
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6Out of curiosity, do you have any idea why the math formula in libreoffice does not adapt Latex syntax? If it does then it's much easier to copy and use the countless, readily-available latex equations from the web! Nov 30, 2016 at 22:16
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I was wondering, is Libreoffice able to calculate the math expression and insert the result? For example can it calculate
10 times 5 =
and automatically append the result?– ShayanOct 10, 2022 at 11:26
A more detailed answer: If you use this feature a lot (I'm a math teacher, I use it a lot!) you can add a button to the toolbar to take you directly to the formula editor. There is a GUI input method, but you can also use a sort-of command line version where you enter the code for the expression as text in your document, then highlight it and select Insert Formula
. As an example, this
x={{-b +- sqrt{b^2 -4ac}} over {2a}}
will turn into this
Here's the a screenshot: (Notice the first symbol on the tool bar - that's where I've place the Insert Equation
button.)
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Where would I find help about the command line version of this?? Feb 13, 2019 at 22:22
Alt+I, O, F comes handy
There after a formula editor panel will be displayed.
Once you finished press
Esc
it will close the formula editor
Install the TexMaths extension (Tools > Extension Manager). You will need to click on Get more extensions online... search for TexMaths in the online repository download and install (usually double-clicking the file will open LibreOffice for installation). Restart LibreOffice and the TexMaths should appear in the toolbar.
Latex installation is also required:
sudo apt install texlive texlive-binaries dvipng
Please note that when you are using the TexMaths extension, you should always use the .odt format to save your files. Microsoft office does not support .svg
images.
Also configure TexMaths to use scalable vector graphics (.svg) with this format your equations will always print crisp/sharp no matter how big or small you make them on the page. Do not use .png as the print quality will never be as good as .svg.
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1this is the best answer for people working with LaTeX and presentations. I think also the basic formulas should adhere to the TeX syntax. It's better to start learning it from the beginning, it will be useful for the future.– SantiagoNov 17, 2019 at 11:30
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Just a small typo: the package is called
dvipng
. Apart from this, great answer!– ClebJul 26, 2020 at 21:05 -
one problem with this solution is that text mode in libreoffice Impress is not compatible with OLE objects, so it's impossible to insert, for example, fractions in text mode with the texmaths extension in libreoffice impress. This seems like a huge oversight!– gannexFeb 2 at 0:40
Use the Dmaths add-on, which enables you to type the equation directly into the text
e.g. : You would like to type an integral from a to b of f(x) dx, you just type " a;b;f(x) " ( without quotes ) and you type the short-cut "ctrl+shift+i" and there it is.
I'm a math teacher and this is how I type all the equations I need.
There's another add-on that acts the same way called Cmath, but the first one is the most complete because you can also draw simple 3d figures, do plane geometry, and different other stuff.
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1You could add that it's not free (13 euros). Not that I'm against it but just to distinguish it from Libreoffice in general. Cmath is free by the way.– ThePhiApr 15, 2018 at 15:40
Formula bar will be grayed out and unclickable, until you install LibreOffice Math. It will "unlock" your formula bar. The Math icon cannot be found/placed on desktop or all application menu. It is used as extension to use formula bar. That's because the LibreOffice Math software is very useless - can only type some formulas,but not text and things from "insert" menu. But as I said, it "unlocks" formula bar from LibreOffice Write, Presentation, Calc and Draw.
So go to Ubuntu/Unity/Gnome Software (it depends on your operating system) and type "LibreOffice" . Than select "LibreOffice Math" from the suggested search bar. Then install it.
Your formula bar is now useable and clickable!
After you click it, you will see a some kind of LibreOffice Math, but inside LibreOffice Write, Calc, Presentation or Draw. By using operations in your right you make your own equation. The operators will make little boxes where you write letters and numbers.