LaTeX equations in Word, Google Docs and PowerPoint

Write the equation in LaTeX, then bring it over in a format the app accepts. The free LaTeX equation editor of Scissor LaTeX copies the equation as MathML, and LaTeX to PNG and LaTeX to SVG make images, all in your browser without an account. A PNG image can be inserted in Word, Google Docs, Google Slides and PowerPoint; Microsoft's help says current Office versions also insert SVG files, and Word for Microsoft 365 can type equations in LaTeX itself. We have not tested every app and version, so check the result in yours.

This page says what our tools produce and what each app's own help pages say about it. It was written on 6 November 2026 from the tools' code and those help pages, which are linked below. We have not tested the steps in every app and version, so the result in yours may differ. If a step does not work for you, tell us.

What the tools produce

An image always looks like the typeset equation, in the Computer Modern look of a LaTeX paper, but it cannot be edited as math. An equation that an app builds from MathML is drawn in the app's own math font and can be edited there.

x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

Microsoft Word

1. Open the LaTeX equation editor and type or paste the equation, for example x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}.
2. Check the preview, then choose Copy for Word. This puts the equation on the clipboard as MathML text.
3. Paste it into Word. Whether it becomes an editable equation or stays as text depends on your Word version and platform; Microsoft's help pages do not describe pasting MathML text, so check the result.

Word's own help describes another way: in Word for Microsoft 365, insert an equation with Alt+=, choose LaTeX on the Equation tab and type the LaTeX (Microsoft: linear format equations using UnicodeMath and LaTeX in Word). The same page lists LaTeX commands that Word does not support, such as \begin{} and \end{}. You can copy the LaTeX from the equation editor's input box. (Copy LaTeX adds math delimiters such as \[ … \], which you would remove in Word.)

If neither works in your version, insert a PNG image (see PowerPoint for the steps, which are the same in Word).

LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice's help says its formula editor has a command, Tools, Import MathML from Clipboard, that turns MathML on the clipboard into a formula, and that the result should be checked because the two formula languages are not fully compatible (LibreOffice Help: Import formula). So: choose Copy for Word in the equation editor, insert a formula in Writer (Insert, Object, Formula Object), then use that command.

Google Docs

1. Open LaTeX to PNG and type the equation.
2. Choose the resolution (300 dpi is usual for print) and a white or transparent background.
3. Download the PNG and insert it with Insert, Image, Upload from computer, as Google's help describes (Google: insert images). You can also try Copy image and paste; whether a pasted image is accepted depends on your browser.

Google Docs also has its own equation tool: Insert, Symbols, Equation. Its help says you can type a backslash and the name of a symbol followed by a space, such as \alpha (Google: use equations in a document). This suits short formulas; it is not a full LaTeX input.

Google Slides

Do the same as for Google Docs, with a transparent background so the slide colour shows through. On a dark slide, set the text colour of the equation to white or a light colour before you download or copy it. Google's help on inserting images covers Slides too. We found no Google help page about SVG files in Docs or Slides, so we suggest PNG there.

PowerPoint

1. Open LaTeX to SVG and type the equation.
2. Download the SVG file. (In the SVG tool, Copy image copies the SVG code as text, which suits a web page, not PowerPoint.)
3. In PowerPoint, choose Insert, Pictures, This Device, and pick the file.

Microsoft's help says that Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel for Microsoft 365 on Windows, Mac and Android insert SVG files this way, and that the iPhone and iPad apps cannot insert them (Microsoft: edit SVG images in Microsoft 365). If your version does not accept the file, or the equation does not look right, use LaTeX to PNG at 300 dpi with a transparent background instead, and insert the PNG the same way.

Transparent background and resolution

• Transparent suits slides and coloured backgrounds; white suits documents and chats. Both are options in LaTeX to PNG; an SVG has no background unless you choose one.
• The PNG resolution goes from 72 to 1200 dpi. 300 dpi is usual for print, 150 dpi is often enough for slides and screens. Higher values make a larger file with finer detail.

Editing the equation later

An image cannot be edited as math. Keep the LaTeX with it so you can make a new image later:

• put the LaTeX in the image's alt text, which also helps readers who use a screen reader;
• or keep it in the speaker notes, or in a note next to the document.

To change it, paste the LaTeX into the tool again, edit it, and replace the image. The tools do not keep your input after you close the tab.

Limits

• Copy for Word gives one equation at a time. For a whole document with text and formulas, write it in the LaTeX editor and export a PDF, or convert it with LaTeX to HTML.
• An image does not change with the document's font or colour theme; make a new one if you change them.
• App menus and features change between versions. The help pages linked above were checked on 6 November 2026.

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft 365 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Drive are trademarks of Google LLC. LibreOffice is a trademark of The Document Foundation. Scissor LaTeX is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.

Every example on this page is typeset by Scissor LaTeX when the site is built. Last updated 2026-11-06.