This page will outline some of the things that might help you as you first start adding equations and text into your documents. The links in this page direct you to more detailed descriptions of certain objects or procedures that are mentioned.

Every time you want to add a new equation to your project you will need to use the Equation/Text Editor. Check out our Equations and Text webpage for examples of things you can do in the Equation/Text Editor.
Here are some helpful hints and tips for when you are first starting to work with equations


To add an equation or text to your document, you need to open up a new Equation Editor box.

To do this, select Equation and Text from the Insert Object drop down menu located on the main Composer toolbar.

An Equation/Text Editor box like the one below will open up.

 

Everything you need to create your equations is in the Equation toolbar. Check out the Equation Toolbar description for explanation of toolbar buttons.



 

Additional Symbols can be added in the Equation Editor by clicking on the Symbol button.

This will open the symbol box, and you find additional symbols to choose from.


Choose from the Symbol Set you want (Greek, Math, Set, Arrow, or Other).

You can choose a number between 0.5 and 2 from the Scale drop down menu. This will determine how big the inserted symbol is in relation to the surrounding text/equation.

Select the symbol you want to insert, click on the Insert button and then click on the Close button.

 

TIP: Are you writing an equation? Choose Equation Mode from the Edit Menu and all your variables will be in italics Times New Roman.


TIP: Are you writing a lot of text or a number of equations? Increase the canvas size so you have room to write more�.You can resize the Equation/Text Editor Box so you have a bigger canvas to work on. Or you can maximize it and the canvas you are working on will become the size of the screen. In addition, you can use the Page Up and Page Down keys on your computer�s keyboard to scroll up and down in your equation/text box.



Tip: If you are writing a lot of text that will take up more than one line, you will have to press return each time you want to continue text on the next line. It does not wrap down on its own.

Adding a Table to your document? You can create tables in the Equation/Text Editor. Click on the Table Button.

The Table Properties Box will open up and you can set the properties. To learn about the table properties click here.











 

Add the Equation/Text you just created to your document.
Once you are done writing your texts and equations, simply close the Equation/Text Editor by clicking on the in the top right hand corner of the Equation/Text Editor box and your text and equations will now appear on the Composer screen.

You can always go back and edit any equation or text.
All you have to do to change any figure that is already in your document is Double Click on it. When you do, the Equation/Text Editor with your equations and/or text in it will re-open and you can make your desired changes. After you finish your editing, click on the in the top right hand corner of the Equation/Text Editor. The Equation/Text Editor will close and then your newly edited equation/text will replace the old one on the Composer screen.

Want to make it easier to line up all of your equations neatly on the page? You can choose to Align figures.