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Learn how to insert and display mathematical equations in Canvas without additional software.
How Canvas displays Equations
Canvas displays any equation created in the Maths Editor (also known as the Equations Editor) as text. The Maths Editor stores equations in LaTeX format and Canvas uses MathJax to convert them on-the-fly to mathematical notation. You don’t need any additional software to view equations created using the Maths editor – it just works.
The way that Canvas displays equations benefits everyone. You can:
- Cut and paste equations into other applications (e.g. MS Word)
- Use a Screen Reader to read and navigate equations
- Set equations to automatically zoom to a size that suits you
- Listen to equations using Read and Write
Where Equations can be added
Equations can be added to most areas in Canvas that accept text input.
Third party tools that embed content in Canvas use their own methods to display equations or may not display them at all. H5P content, Social Polls and Comments Boxes are some of the areas that cannot display equations in this way.
Ways to add Equations
Equations can be added by either:
- Adding LaTeX code between delimiters in most text input fields, or
- Using the Canvas Maths Editor
Adding Equations using Delimiters
You can add equations to most text fields in Display or Inline formats.
Display format
To use display format, place your LaTeX code between double dollar sign delimiters. For example, the text:
The Pythagorean theorem is $$a^2+b^2=c^2$$ and can be used to…will display as:
Inline format
To use inline format, place your LaTeX code between delimiters that begin with a backslash and open parenthesis and end with a backslash and close parenthesis. For example, the text:
The Pythagorean theorem is \(a^2+b^2=c^2\) and can be used to…will display as:
Please note that equations entered using delimiters won’t display as mathematical notation until after you’ve saved and published your content.
Always use the Maths Editor or Delimiters to enter Equations in Canvas. Other methods may cause accessibility issues and make content harder to maintain
Add Equations using the Maths Editor
Use the Maths Editor to enter equations in either basic or advanced LaTeX view. Please note that basic view may not be available if the equation is too complex for it to edit.
To access the Maths Editor, open the Rich Content editor in the place where you want to add an equation and either:
- Open the Insert menu and select Equation or
- Open the three dots menu [1] and [2] select Insert Equation
Maths Editor basic view
Use the Maths Editor in the default basic view to enter simple equations. Basic view is wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) and equations will be inserted as you see them.
A limited range of mathematical symbols are available in basic view.
Maths Editor LaTeX View
Select ‘Directly Edit LaTeX’ in the Maths Editor to create complex equations. A preview of what will be displayed is shown underneath the LaTeX code (highlighted yellow here).
The Canvas Equation Editor Tips: advanced guide (opens as PDF) provides more information on how to use LaTeX code to create more complex equations.
Known Issues and Limitations
- LaTeX code that contains macros or that require packages to be loaded (e.g. drawing a diagram with TIKZ) is not supported
- LaTeX code can’t be used in the formulas that generate answers to Canvas quiz questions