Canvas now has more ways to add equations in more places. Equations entered using the methods below will automatically be accessible using a Screen Reader – no additional effort required.
More ways to add equations in more places
You can now add LaTeX code directly into the Rich Content editor (and most other Canvas text input boxes). Don’t worry if you prefer to write equations in MS Word or MathType, as both offer easy ways to convert and paste equations as LaTeX. Equations can still be entered using the Canvas Math editor in areas where the Rich Content editor is available.
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:
Note that:
- Equations entered using delimiters won’t display as mathematical notation until you’ve saved the page, posted a discussion reply etc
- Some areas (e.g. Canvas Chat, H5P) can’t display mathematical notation entered using LaTeX
- LaTeX can’t be used in formulas that generate answers to Canvas quiz questions
Clearer and more accessible equations
Canvas now uses MathJax to display equations as text instead of images. The benefits of displaying equations using MathJax are:
- It’s easy to copy equations to MS Word, MathType or LaTeX editors
- Screen reader users can read/browse equations, matrices etc. with minimal effort
- Equations display much more clearly if the size of the browser window changes
Learn More
Take a look at the Canvas Math Editor resource on LX Resources to find out more about how to incorporate equations into your Canvas content.