Difference between revisions of "Documentation/FAQ/Formula"

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(How do I number my equations?)
(I enter x^* to typeset x*, but get an error message. Why?)
 
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==How can I get a left bracket without a right bracket?==
+
{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{AOo}} Math FAQ}}__NOTOC__{{Documentation/FAQTOC}}{{Note| A useful first resource is the '''[[Documentation/Reference/Math_commands|OpenOffice Math Syntax Reference]]'''.}}
Since brackets have a grouping function they must always match and
+
Search the FAQs: <googlefaq/>
be correctly nested.
+
This list is ordered by popularity. The most popular FAQs are at the top. But also have a look at the bottom to find any new entries.
  
To get a single bracket without a matching bracket partner you
+
Below the list you can find some more FAQs that have special characters in the title.
have to escape the bracket with a backslash. For example to get a &quot;[&quot;
+
without a corresponding &quot;]&quot; you should enter "'''\['''".
+
  
Thus to typeset the interval [3;8) you should enter <font color="brown">'''\[3 ";" 8\)'''</font>. The quotation marks around the semicolon ensures that it
+
<DPL>
is not typeset in italic. (You're right, this has nothing to do with
+
  category=Documentation/FAQ/Formula
brackets!)
+
  ordermethod=counter
 +
  order=descending
 +
  replaceintitle=/Documentation.*\//,
 +
  secseparators=<br>
 +
</DPL>
  
For scalable brackets it is essential that '''left''' and
+
<div style="background-color:#EEE;border:solid 1pt #AAA;padding:10px;margin-top:20px">
'''right''' matches, since the content that the brackets
+
===Add a new FAQ entry===
encloses must be well defined.
+
<inputbox>
 +
bgcolor=#EEE
 +
type=create
 +
default=Documentation/FAQ/Formula/<FAQ_TITLE>
 +
preload=Documentation/FAQ_Template
 +
buttonlabel=Add new FAQ
 +
break=no
 +
</inputbox>
 +
'''Instructions'''
 +
* Do '''not ask questions''' here, but '''give answers'''.
 +
* If you have a '''question to ask''', go to the [https://forum.openoffice.org/en/forum/ User Forum].
 +
* Replace ''<FAQ_TITLE>'' part in the input box above by the title you would like to give the FAQ item and click '''Add New FAQ'''
 +
</div>
  
In this case you can use the invisible bracket '''none''' to
 
get a single bracket. For example to get a scalable &quot;[&quot;
 
without a corresponding &quot;]&quot; you should enter <font color="brown">'''left [
 
... right none'''</font>.
 
  
Thus to typeset
+
[[Category: Documentation/FAQ]]
[[Image:001a.gif]]you
+
[[Category:User FAQ]]
should enter<font color="brown">''' x=left lbrace binom -5 3 right none'''</font>.
+
 
+
==I enter <font color="brown">'''x^*'''</font> to typeset x<SUP>*</SUP>, but get an error message. Why?==
+
 
+
The problem is that<font color="brown">''' * '''</font>is a binary operator, that is
+
there has to be an expression on both sides of the symbol.
+
 
+
You either have to enter the expression<font color="brown">''' x^{{}*{}} '''</font>to avoid the
+
error message, or you could type <font color="brown">''' x^"*"'''</font> as well, where the quotes
+
will interprete the asterisk not as a binary operator but as a "standalone" symbol.
+
 
+
If you use this construction a lot you might want to define the
+
symbol as a userdefined symbol. See [[FAQ:Formula#I_need_a_symbol_that_Math_does_not_provide._What_can_I_do.3F|I need a symbol that Math does not provide. What can I do?]].
+
If you have defined the * as a userdefined symbol, say<font color="brown">''' %ast'''</font>,
+
you can enter<font color="brown">''' x^%ast'''</font>.
+
 
+
This answer applies to a lot of other symbols as well. Some operators, such as +, are unary, that is there only has to be an expression to the right of the symbol. To typeset x<SUP>+</SUP> you can enter<font color="brown">''' x^{+{}}<'''</font> or, of course, <font color="brown">'''x^"+"'''</font>.
+
 
+
==When I enter one of the symbols '''<font color="brown">#</font>,<font color="brown"> &amp;</font> ,<font color="brown">|</font>,<font color="brown">^</font>''' or <font color="brown">'''_'''</font> I get an unexpected result or an error message. How can I use these symbols?==
+
 
+
These symbols all have a special meaning in ''Math'':
+
 
+
*The symbol<font color="brown">''' # '''</font>is used in stacks and matrices.
+
*The symbols<font color="brown">''' &amp; '''</font>and<font color="brown">''' | '''</font>are used for logical and and logical or.
+
*The symbols<font color="brown">''' ^ '''</font>and<font color="brown">''' _ '''</font>are used for
+
subscripts and superscripts.
+
 
+
 
+
To use them in your formula you can put them in quotation marks,
+
which means that you insert them as text.
+
 
+
If you want to use the symbol &quot;|&quot; you should consider
+
whether the construction you need is one of the the following:
+
 
+
*<font color="brown">'''a divides b '''</font>is used to typeset a| b.
+
*<font color="brown">'''abs a '''</font>is used to typeset |a|.
+
 
+
==When I enter<font color="brown">''' 3xy '''</font>the number 3 comes out in italics. Is this a bug?==
+
 
+
Not really. What happens here is, that Math uses multi-letter
+
variables, which are common in some disciplines, like economy. The
+
rule is that a variable consists of a sequence of letters, numbers
+
and dots (the first character can not be a dot).
+
 
+
So when you enter 3xy this is considered a variable - and
+
variables are typeset in italics. The only odd thing here is, that a
+
variable can start with a number.
+
 
+
The correct way to enter the expression if you mean 3 times x
+
times y is<font color="brown">''' 3 x y '''</font>(with spaces between the characters).
+
 
+
==How do I align my equations at the equality sign?==
+
 
+
Currently ''Math'' does not have an alignment construction.
+
Instead you can use a matrix.
+
 
+
For example to typeset the equation
+
[[Image:005a.gif]]
+
 
+
you should enter the following:
+
<pre>
+
matrix{
+
  alignr x+y # {}={} # alignl 2 ##
+
  alignr x  # {}={} # alignl 2-y
+
}
+
</pre>
+
The empty braces around = are necessary because = is a binary
+
operator and thus needs an expression on each side.
+
 
+
You can reduce the spacing around = if you change the inter-column
+
spacing of the matrix:
+
 
+
 
+
*Select '''Format-Spacing'''
+
*Click ''''Category'''' and choose'''Matrixes''' in the pop-up menu.
+
*Now enter<font color="brown">''' 0% '''</font>under ''''Column spacing''''.
+
 
+
 
+
Here is another example using a different solution:
+
 
+
To typeset the equation
+
 
+
[[Image:005b.gif]]
+
 
+
the trick is to use <font color="brown">'''phantom'''</font> as follows:
+
 
+
<pre>&quot;&quot;3(x+4)-2(x-1)=3 x+12-(2 x-2) newline
+
&quot;&quot;phantom {3(x+4)-2(x-1)}=3 x+12-2 x+2 newline
+
&quot;&quot;phantom {3(x+4)-2(x-1)}=x+14</pre>
+
 
+
<P STYLE="margin-top: 0.2cm; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; font-weight: medium">
+
The effect of the empty quotation marks is to left justify the line -
+
a line starting with text (even an empty text) will always be left
+
justified.</P>
+
 
+
You can replace<font color="brown">''' &quot;&quot; '''</font>with <font color="brown">'''alignl'''</font>.
+
 
+
==I want to use a binary operator (like <font color="brown">'''union'''</font> or<font color="brown"> '''otimes'''</font>) as a large operator (like <font color="brown">'''int'''</font> or <font color="brown">'''sum'''</font>). How can I do that?==
+
 
+
You have to define the symbol you want to use as a user-defined
+
symbol first. See <A HREF="012.html">FAQ #012</A> for instructions;
+
most of the symbols used by ''Math'' are part of the StarMath
+
font.
+
 
+
Let's say you have defined the union symbol as the user-defined
+
symbol <font color="brown">'''%union'''</font>. You can then enter for example
+
 
+
<pre>oper%union from i in I A_i</pre>
+
 
+
in order to typeset the formula
+
 
+
[[Image:006a.gif]]
+
 
+
<em>Note</em>: In build 633 this doesn't work if there is a space before
+
<font color="brown">'''%union'''</font> (this is a bug in the parser).
+
<P>Any user-defined symbol can be used as a large operator if it is
+
preceded with<font color="brown">''' oper '''</font>as in the example.</P>
+
 
+
==How do I typeset functions, such as max, det, that ''Math'' does not know about?==
+
 
+
''Math'' has a number of standard functions built-in, such as
+
cos, log etc.
+
 
+
These functions are typeset in an upright shape according to
+
typographical traditions.
+
 
+
To typeset other functions this way you can simply preceed the
+
function with<font color="brown">''' func'''</font>. Example:
+
 
+
*To typeset max(''a,b'') you should enter<font color="brown">''' func
+
max(a,b)'''</font>.
+
 
+
==How do I change the fonts used in my formula?==
+
''Math'' uses 7 different text fonts to typeset formulas -
+
in addition to symbol fonts (mainly the StarMath font).
+
 
+
The basic fonts are:
+
 
+
*''Variables''. Variables (such as<font color="brown">''' x'''</font>, <font color="brown">'''a'''</font> etc.) are usually typeset in italics; the default is Times New Roman, italics.
+
*''Functions''. Functions (such as<font color="brown">''' cos'''</font>, <font color="brown">'''log'''</font> etc.) are usually typeset in upright shape; the default is Times New Roman.
+
*''Numbers''. Numbers (such as<font color="brown">''' 217'''</font> are usually typeset in upright shape; the default is Times New Roman.
+
*''Text''. Text (such as<font color="brown">''' &quot;abc&quot;'''</font>) is usually typeset in upright shape; the default is Times New Roman.
+
*''Serif'' is an additional, serifed font. The default is Times New Roman.
+
*''Sans'' is an additional, sans serif font. The default is Helvetica/Arial.
+
*''Fixed'' is an additional fixed with font. The default is Courier.
+
 
+
 
+
You can read about how to use these fonts in [[FAQ:Formula#How_do_I_change_the_font of a subformula?]].
+
 
+
To change one of the fonts follow these steps:
+
 
+
*Select '''Format-Fonts...'''.
+
*Click ''''Modify'''' and select the font you wish to modify in the pop-up menu.
+
*Select the font in the list. You can also check one or both the checkboxes ''''Bold'''' and ''''Italic''''.
+
*Close the dialog with ''''OK''''.
+
 
+
 
+
This will change the font for the current formula. The next time
+
you want to use the same font it will already be in the list box; you
+
don't have to click modify again.
+
 
+
To change the default fonts follow these steps:
+
 
+
*Select '''Format-Fonts'''.
+
*Choose the seven fonts as described above.
+
*Click ''''Default''''.
+
 
+
This will save your settings as the default fonts to be used in a
+
new formula.
+
 
+
To change the base size of the formula select '''Format-Font Size...'''
+
and enter the size you want. All other font sizes are relative to the
+
base size. The default is 12&nbsp;pt.
+
 
+
This will change the base size for the current formula. To change
+
the default base size you should click ''''Default'''' before you close the
+
dialog.
+
 
+
==How do I change the font of a subformula?==
+
You can use one of the following font attributes:
+
 
+
 
+
*<font color="brown">'''italic a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in italic shape.
+
*so does<font color="brown">''' ital a'''</font>>.
+
*<font color="brown">'''nitalic a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in upright shape (abbreviation for not italic).
+
*<font color="brown">'''bold a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in boldface.
+
*<font color="brown">'''nbold a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>with normal weight (abbreviation for not bold).
+
 
+
 
+
In addition ''Math'' uses a set of three generic font families,
+
which are used as follows:
+
 
+
*<font color="brown">'''font serif a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in a serifed font, usually Times.
+
*<font color="brown">'''font sans a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in a sans serif font, usually Helvetica or Arial.
+
*<font color="brown">'''font fixed a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in a fixed font, usually Courier.
+
 
+
 
+
Font attributes can be combined as in this example:
+
 
+
*Enter<font color="brown">''' bold font sans A '''</font>to get <B><FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif">A</FONT></B>.
+
 
+
You can apply font attributes to an entire subformula if you group
+
it with<font color="brown">''' { } '''</font>or other brackets. Example:
+
 
+
 
+
*Enter<font color="brown">''' a b bold {c d} e '''</font>to typeset ab<B>cd</B>e.
+
 
+
When several font attributes are applied, the innermost takes
+
precedence as shown in this example:
+
 
+
*Enter<font color="brown">''' bold {a b nbold c d} '''</font>to get <B>ab</B>c<B>d</B>.
+
 
+
 
+
To change the fonts used in ''Math'' see [[FAQ:Formula#How_do_I_change_the_fonts_used_in_my_formula?|How do I change the fonts used in my formula?]]
+
 
+
==How do I change the size of a subformula?==
+
There are five variants of the size-changing command:
+
 
+
*<font color="brown">'''size 20 a '''</font>typesets a with the font size 20 pt.
+
*<font color="brown">'''size +5 a '''</font>typesets a with current font size plus 5pt.
+
*<font color="brown">'''size -5 a '''</font>typesets a with current font size minus 5pt.
+
*<font color="brown">'''size *1.5 a '''</font>typesets a with current font size times 1.5.
+
*<font color="brown">'''size /1.5 a '''</font>typesets a with current font size divided by 1.5.
+
 
+
You can change the font size of an entire subformula if you group
+
it with<font color="brown">''' { } '''</font>or other brackets. Example:
+
 
+
*Enter<font color="brown">''' a b size *2 {c d} e '''</font>to typeset ab<FONT SIZE=6>cd</FONT>e.
+
 
+
When several font size changes are applied, the innermost takes
+
precedence as shown in this example:
+
 
+
*Enter<font color="brown">''' size *1.5 {a size 12 b size *1.5 c d} '''</font>to get <FONT SIZE=5>a<FONT SIZE=3>b</FONT><FONT SIZE=6>c</FONT>d</FONT>.
+
 
+
 
+
To change the base font size used in Math see [[FAQ:Formula#How_do_I_change_the_fonts_used_in_my_formula?|How do I change the fonts used in my formula?]]
+
 
+
==How do I change the color of a subformula?==
+
You can use the color command as follows:
+
 
+
 
+
*<font color="brown">'''color red ABC '''</font>typesets <FONT COLOR="#ff0000">ABC</FONT>.
+
 
+
There are eight different colors to choose from:
+
 
+
*white, black, cyan, magenta, red, blue, green, yellow.
+
 
+
 
+
You can apply a color to an entire subformula if you group it with
+
{ } or other brackets. Example:
+
 
+
*Enter<font color="brown">''' A B color green {C D} E '''</font>to typeset AB<FONT COLOR="#00ff00">CD</FONT>E.
+
 
+
When several colors are applied, the innermost takes precedence as
+
shown in this example:
+
 
+
*Enter<font color="brown">''' color blue {A B color yellow C D} '''</font>to get
+
<FONT COLOR="#0000ff">AB<FONT COLOR="#ffff00">C</FONT>D</FONT>.
+
 
+
 
+
You cannot select the background color; a ''Math'' formula is
+
always transparent. This means that it inherits the background color
+
from the document (for example a writer document) it is contained in.
+
 
+
==I need a symbol that ''Math'' does not provide. What can I do?==
+
If you have a font containing the symbol you can define a userdefined symbol.
+
 
+
<P STYLE="font-style: normal">Follow these steps:</P>
+
 
+
*Open the Symbols dialog ('''Tools-Catalog...''').
+
*Click ''''Edit''''.
+
*Type a name for the new symbol in the combobox <B>'Symbol'</B>.
+
*Type a new name or select
+
an existing name in the combobox <B>'Symbol set</B>. This is the
+
symbol set you want your symbol to appear in.
+
*Select the font in the listbox <B>'Font'</B>, for example the
+
StarMath font.
+
*Select the formatting (normal, bold, bold-italic or italic)
+
in the listbox <B>'Typeface'</B>.
+
*Click on the symbol in the table.
+
*Click <b>'Add'</b> to add your symbol.
+
 
+
You can now use your symbol like any other symbol by selecting it
+
in the Symbols dialog or entering<font color="brown"> %thenameofthesymbol '''</font>directly.
+
 
+
If you don't have the symbol try looking in the StarMath font
+
first; it contains about 25 additional symbols.
+
 
+
Another source of symbols is the so-called AMS fonts of the
+
American Mathematical society.
+
 
+
You can download these in Postscript type 1 format from
+
[http://www.ams.org/tex/amsfonts.html www.ams.org/tex/amsfonts.html].
+
 
+
If you use Microsoft Windows you might prefer to download the unofficial BaKoMa Truetype versions from [http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/fonts/cm/ps-type1/bakoma/ www.ctan.org/tex-archive/fonts/cm/ps-type1/bakoma/].
+
 
+
Refer to the documentation distributed with the fonts for
+
conditions of use.
+
 
+
==Can I find all the constructions of ''Math'' in the selection window?==
+
There are a few constructions without a corresponding template in
+
the selection window:
+
 
+
'''''Additional binary operators:'''''
+
{| border=1
+
|a oplus b
+
|[[Image:013a.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a ominus b
+
|[[Image:013b.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a otimes b
+
|[[Image:013c.gif|middle]]
+
|----
+
|a odot b
+
|[[Image:013d.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a odivide b
+
|[[Image:013e.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a wideslash b
+
|[[Image:013f.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a widebslash b
+
|[[Image:013g.gif|middle]]
+
|}
+
 
+
In addition, if<font color="brown">''' %symbol '''</Font>is a userdefined symbol you can
+
use it as a unary or binary operator as follows:
+
 
+
*<font color="brown">'''uoper %symbol a '''</Font>uses<font color="brown">''' %symbol '''</Font>as a unary operator.
+
*<font color="brown">'''a boper %symbol b '''</Font>uses<font color="brown">''' %symbol '''</Font>as a binary operator.
+
 
+
'''''Additional relations:'''''
+
{| border=1
+
|a &lt;&lt; b
+
|[[Image:013h.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a &gt;&gt; b
+
|[[Image:013i.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a def b
+
|[[Image:013j.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a transl b
+
|[[Image:013k.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|a transr b
+
|[[Image:013l.gif|none]]
+
|}
+
 
+
'''''Additional operators:'''''
+
{| border=1
+
|liminf f
+
|lim inf ''f''
+
|----
+
|limsub f
+
|lim sub ''f''
+
|}
+
 
+
 
+
In addition, if<font color="brown">''' %symbol '''</Font>is a userdefined symbol you can
+
use it as an operator as follows:
+
 
+
*<font color="brown">'''oper %symbol a '''</Font>uses<font color="brown">''' %symbol '''</Font>as an operator.
+
 
+
You can read more about this in [[FAQ:Formula#I_want_to_use_a_binary_operator_.28like_union_or_otimes.29_as_a_large_operator_.28like_int_or_sum.29._How_can_I_do_that.3F|
+
I want to use a binary operator like '''union''' or '''otimes''' as a large operator like '''int''' or '''sum'''. How can I do that?]]
+
 
+
'''''Additional brackets:'''''
+
{| border=1
+
|lfloor a rfloor
+
|[[Image:013m.gif|none]]
+
|----
+
|lceil a rceil
+
|[[Image:013n.gif|none]]
+
|}
+
 
+
Since brackets have a grouping function they must always match and
+
be correctly nested. For scalable brackets it is essential that <font color="brown">'''left'''</Font>
+
and <font color="brown">'''right'''</Font> matches, but the brackets can be freely
+
combined. Example:
+
 
+
*You can enter<font color="brown">''' left ( a right [ '''</Font>to typeset (a[.
+
 
+
You can read more about single brackets in [[FAQ:Formula#How_can_I_get_a_left_bracket_without_a_right_bracket.3F|How can I get a left bracket without a right bracket?]]
+
 
+
'''''Additional symbols:'''''
+
{|
+
|width=90|
+
|
+
|----
+
|backepsilon
+
|[[Image:013o.gif|none]]
+
|}
+
 
+
 
+
'''''Additional functions:'''''
+
 
+
In addition to the functions that ''Math'' knows, you can
+
typeset other functions if you preceed the function name with func,
+
such as<font color="brown">''' func max'''</Font>. You can read more about this in [[FAQ:Formula#How_do_I_typeset_functions.2C_such_as_max.2C_det.2C_that_Math_does_not_know_about.3F| How do I typeset functions such as max, det, that Math does not know about?]]
+
 
+
'''''Additional font changing commands:'''''
+
 
+
*<font color="brown">'''nitalic a '''</Font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</Font>in upright shape (abbreviation for not italic).
+
*<font color="brown">'''nbold a '''</Font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</Font>with normal weight (abbreviation for not bold).
+
*<font color="brown">'''phantom a '''</Font>typesets a invisible.
+
 
+
The command color is used to change the color of a subformula, see
+
[[FAQ:Formula#How_do_I_change_the_color_of_a_subformula.3F|How do I change the color of a subformula?]] for details.
+
 
+
A complete reference on the ''Math'' input language is being worked on.
+
 
+
 
+
==The fractions are too large for inline formulas. How can I make them smaller?==
+
Select '''Format-Text Mode'''.
+
 
+
This will change the formatting of your formula such that
+
fractions and large operators (such as integral signs) are smaller.
+
Furthermore the limits of large operators are placed to the right of
+
the operator rather than above and below.
+
 
+
Example:
+
[[Image:014a.gif]]becomes [[Image:014b.gif]]in textmode.
+
 
+
This setting is reversed if you select '''Format-Text Mode'''
+
again.
+
 
+
 
+
==Why are my formulas jumping up and down on the textline?==
+
This is one of the major issues with the current version of ''Math''.
+
 
+
What happens is, that your formulas always are inserted vertically
+
centered with respect to the textline. If the formula is not
+
symmetrical vertically the baselines of the text and the formula will
+
not be aligned.
+
 
+
You can correct this by dragging the formula up or down using the
+
mouse.
+
 
+
==How do I change the spacing around my formula?==
+
If you have embedded your formula in a ''Writer'' document you
+
can do as follows.
+
 
+
If you want to change the spacing around a single formula follow
+
these steps:
+
 
+
*Select the formula.
+
*Select '''Format-Object'''.
+
*Select the tab page ''''Wrap''''.
+
*In the group ''''Spacing'''' on this page you can adjust the spacing around the formula.
+
 
+
If you want to change the spacing around ''all'' formulas follow these steps:
+
 
+
*Open the stylist ('''Format-Stylist''').
+
*Click on the icon for frame styles (the third icon from the left).
+
*Click on ''''Formula'''' and then right click in the stylist.
+
*Select '''Modify...''' in the pop-up menu.
+
*Select the tab page '''Wrap'''.
+
*In the group ''''Spacing'''' on this page you can adjust the spacing around the formulas.
+
 
+
In addition ''Math''<SPAN STYLE="font-style: normal"> inserts some spacing around your formula. Follow these steps to change this:</SPAN>
+
 
+
*Open your formula.
+
*Select '''Format-Spacing'''.
+
*Click ''''Category'''' and select '''Borders''' in the pop-up menu.
+
*You can now change the left and right margins of your formulas.
+
 
+
==How do I number my equations?==
+
Displayed equations in <SPAN STYLE="font-weight: medium">''Writer''</SPAN>
+
documents can be numbered using a predefined ''AutoText'':
+
 
+
Type <font color="brown">fn</Font> at the beginning of a paragraph and press F3. This will insert an ''AutoText'' containing a dummy formula and a sequence number. Now doubleclick the formula to edit it.
+
If you want to number the equations by chapter you should
+
 
+
*Doubleclick on one of the equation numbers.
+
*In the listbox ''''Level'''' choose the chapter level you want to number by.
+
*In the textbox ''''Separator'''' type a character to separate the chapter number from the formula number.
+
 
+
If you want to modify the AutoText you should use the dialogue '''Edit-AutoText'''. You will find this AutoText in the group <font color="brown">Standard</Font>.
+
 
+
==I have inserted a formula in a HTML document and now I cannot edit it. Why not?==
+
There is currently no standard for embedding mathematical formulas in HTML documents. For this reason OpenOffice.org saves formulas in HTML documents as bitmap pictures (in GIF format), which every browser can display.
+
 
+
This has the consequence that you when you close and reopen your document the formulas are no longer editable, because they cannot be reconstructed from the bitmap.
+
 
+
This solution has a number of other problems, for example the formulas doesn't look good when printed; in fact they look ugly.
+
 
+
A standard as to how MathML formulas can be embedded in HTML (or XHTML) pages is expected to appear in the future. Since OpenOffice.org can export HTML as well as MathML it would be reasonable to expect that it will support this standard when it arrives.
+
 
+
Another issue here, however, is that this also requires that browsers support MathML. The Mozilla project is working on this, see [http://www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/ www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/].
+
 
+
==I have written a document containing a formula. I gave it to a friend and when she opened it the user-defined symbols didn't work. What's the matter?==
+
This is a known issue with ''Math''. The user-defined symbols are part of the user settings and are ''not'' saved with the formula.
+
 
+
Furthermore the predefined user-defined symbols have localized names, for example<KBD> %alpha </Font>might be<KBD> %alfa </Font>in other languages, so that even these symbols can cause trouble.
+
There is currently no solution to the problem, but it is being worked on.
+
 
+
''Note''<SPAN STYLE="font-style: normal">: When you export formulas to MathML the user-defined symbols using the StarMath font are correctly exported, other user-defined symbols are currently not.</SPAN>
+
 
+
==Is ''Math'' compatible with the equation editor of Microsoft Word?==
+
''Math'' provides import and export filters for [http://www.mathtype.com/ MathType]
+
from Design science. (The equation editor of Microsoft Word is a limited version of MathType.)
+
 
+
When exporting from ''Writer'' to Microsoft Word, OpenOffice.org converts embedded ''Math'' formulas to MathType. When importing from Microsoft Word to ''Writer'', OpenOffice.org does the reverse conversion. As with any file type conversion you should of course be aware that ''Math'' and MathType have different capabilities and this will affect the results.
+
 
+
If you prefer to keep the formulas in the original format, you can change this behavior in the configuration:
+
 
+
*Select '''Tools-Options'''.
+
*Select '''Load/Save-Microsoft Office'''.
+
*Remove the check marks from<KBD> MathType to OpenOffice.org Math </Font>and<KBD> OpenOffice.org Math to MathType</Font>.
+
==How can I start the equation editor as an '''individual application'''  rather than within Writer?== 
+
You can start the equation editor by running the command 'soffice -math'. To know about all options
+
that are accepted here, type 'soffice.exe -help'.
+
 
+
==How do I align several formulas along the '=' sign?==
+
+
To align several formulas along the '=' sign, you can use a matrix. Note that the formulas contain special placement for the '{}' brackets around the equal sign. Also note that alignl below is ALIGNL, not ALIGN1. Follow the example:
+
 
+
matrix{<br>
+
alignr sin^2 x + cos^2 x#{}={}#alignl 1 ##<br>
+
alignr cos^2 x #{}={} #alignl 1 - sin^2 x<br>
+
}
+

Latest revision as of 13:12, 8 October 2021

doc OOo


Documentation note.png A useful first resource is the OpenOffice Math Syntax Reference.

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