Equations overview

Working with equations in Typefi isn't hard, but it does impact a number of components within your workflows and requires some forethought as to how you author equations and whether you format your equations in MathML or as equation images. 

This article is an overview of the techniques and technologies required to create a seamless experience when working with equations in Adobe InDesign. For information on working with equations in Microsoft Word-based editorial and authoring workflows, see Author equations in Typefi Writer.

Different ways to work with equations

There are two main ways to work with equations in Typefi Designer: equation images (using WIRIS MathType) and MathML (using movemen MathTools).

Equation images

Equation images (also frequently known as "MathType EPS") have been used for decades as a method of including complex equations in publishing workflows, and Typefi has long supported this workflow. But for more modern workflows, especially where accessibility is increasingly important, we recommend MathML instead. 

MathML

MathML is a low-level specification for encoding both the presentation of mathematical notation and mathematical content.

Adobe InDesign and InDesign Server only support MathML through a third-party plug-in, movemen MathTools. MathTools provides native equation editor functionality—equations are expressed as fully editable text, not inline equations—and MathML import/export features.

Should I use equation images or MathML?

Whether you use equation images or MathML depends on your specific workflow. Refer to the table below to choose the best fit. 

* MathType supports MTCode, which is based on Unicode 2.0 (1996) with additional support for some Unicode 3.1 (2002) and Unicode 3.2 (2002) math characters via the Unicode Private Use Area (see MTCode Encoding Tables).

† InDesign CS6 through InDesign CC 2015 support Unicode 5.1; Adobe InDesign CC 2017 and CC 2018 support Unicode 6.0.

‡ MathTools imports MathType EPS equation images to create MathZones within InDesign, and can optionally export equation images for compatibility with EPUB readers that don't support MathML (for example, Kindle).

§ Accessible HTML or EPUB output requires MathTools v3 or later to replace the unintelligible equations exported by InDesign with either MathML or equation images with alt text.

See also

• MathML equations in Typefi Designer
• Equation images in Typefi Designer
• MathML event scripts