If you teach mathematics or science and use a computer to create materials, you have certainly encountered the challenge of writing complex formulas in your documents. In this article, we introduce two tools available on the KI teacher and student computer that were created specifically to write formulas.
1. Word’s Equation Module
The Equation Module is a built-in tool in Microsoft Word that allows you to create complex formulas by combining blocks, filling in values and inserting symbols. This equation can then be copied and pasted to PowerPoint or OneNote documents as well.
2. Microsoft Math Input Panel
The Microsoft Math Input Panel is a very simple app that transforms handwritten formulas into computer text format. Using the DELL Stylus that came with your KI teacher computer, you can quickly create formulas and then insert them in Word, PowerPoint or other documents.
How to use Word’s Equation Module
- Launch Word by double clicking on the icon on the desktop.
- A) Create a new document or B)open an existing one in which you want to add a formula (called equations in Word).
- Click on the Insert tab.
- Select Equation.
- Select, from the available blocks, the one that best represents the structure of your formula.
- Enter values in the formula by clicking in the dashed boxes and typing on your keyboard…
- or insert symbols by selecting them from the list.
To use the formula in another Word, PowerPoint or OneNote document:
- Select the formula by clicking on the … in the upper left corner.
- Click on the Home tab.
- Select Copy. (You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C .)
How to use the Microsoft Math Input Panel
- To launch the Math Input Panel, type in math into the search bar.
- In the search results, click on Math Input Panel.
- Start writing your formula in the beige section of the app. You can either use the trackpad of your computer, a mouse or the DELL Stylus that comes with the KI teacher computer. As you write, the Math Input Panel will convert your handwriting into computer text.
Sometimes, the app might not recognize your handwriting properly. If that is the case:
- Click on Select and Correct.
- Click and drag to circle around the character or symbol that was not recognized properly.
- Select the right character or symbol from the list that appears.
Once your formula is completed, you can copy it to later paste it in the document of your choice. In order to do so:
- Click on Insert.
Open the document where you would like to add this formula, such as a Word, PowerPoint or OneNote document.
- Select the Paste command or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V.