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How to Enable Equation Editor in Microsoft Word

How to Enable Equation Editor in Microsoft Word

February 28, 2023 by Mitch Bartlett 11 Comments

Learn how to install the Microsoft Word Equation Editor and you’ll be able to make math equations within Word documents.


Word 365

For Word 365, 2021, 2019, 2016 or 2013, the Equation Editor should be available by default. Simply select the “Insert” tab and choose “Equation” under the “Symbols” section.

Word 2016 Equation Editor

If you still do not see the Equation option, you may have to go to “File” > “Options” > “Customize Ribbon“. Select “All Commands” in the “Choose commands from” menu, then add “Symbols” to the tabs listed on the right side of the screen.

You could also take the lazy route, and select “Reset“, to set the ribbon or tabs back to their default settings.


Word 2010 & 2007

Windows 8, 7, & Vista

  1. Open “Control Panel“.
  2. Select “Uninstall a program” in the “Programs” section. (Don’t worry, we’re not going to uninstall anything.)
  3. Select your installation of Microsoft Word or Microsoft Office in the list and select the “Change” button.
    Change Word 2010 Install
  4. Choose “Add or Remove Features” and select “Continue“.
    Office 2010 Add Remove Features option
  5. Select the plus sign next to “Office Tools“, then select “Equation Editor” > “Run from My Computer“.
    Office 2010 Enabling Equation Editor selection
  6. Select “Continue” and the Equation Editor will be take a few minutes to install. When complete, select “Close” and it will be available under the “Insert” menu.
    Equation Editor in Word 2010

Windows XP

  1. Go to “Control Panel“.
  2. Double-click “Add/Remove Programs“.
  3. Select once on the “Microsoft Office 2010/2007” entry and click “Change“.
  4. Select “Add or Remove Features“, and click “Continue“.
  5. Click the plus sign next to “Office Tools“.
  6. Click “Equation Editor“, and select “Run from My Computer“.
  7. Click “Continue“. Click “Close” when the install is complete. The Equation Editor will be available under the “Insert” menu.

FAQ

Why is the equation editor selection grayed out?

You may have saved your document in a format that does not support the Equation Editor. Try selecting “File” > “Save As…” and save the document as a “.docx” file or “File” > “Convert” to update the document to the latest format.

Alternatively, you can create a new copy of the document. Select “Save As” and then choose the location and the folder where you want to save the new copy. Type a new name for the document in the “File name” box, and click Word Document in the “Save as” type list. Make sure the checkbox next to “Maintain compatibility with Previous versions of Word” is unchecked.

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Filed Under: Office

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. maike tiki says

    January 24, 2023 at 9:30 pm

    Thanks ,
    I enable my equation editor already.

    thanks

  2. Comron Nouri says

    March 27, 2022 at 7:57 pm

    Hi There,
    After the automatic update, in my Microsoft Word, Insert tab, Equation is not active anymore. It used to be active and I could insert an equation by pressing [Alt]+[=]. But it no longer works.
    The above instructions do not help me because they are either for older versions of Windows or they are not addressing this issue.
    I am a Math/Physics teacher and I use this feature a lot for my work.
    I appreciate your help in this regard.

  3. Dr Pooja Gupta says

    November 18, 2021 at 1:31 am

    Thanku so much its help me

  4. daellean says

    August 29, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    that was really helpful thank you 😅

  5. Usman Tariq says

    August 27, 2021 at 10:53 pm

    very helpful. its good

  6. Lee says

    July 13, 2021 at 11:43 am

    “Equation” does NOT highlight. It shows up on the “Insert” tab ribbon and above “Symbols”. “Symbol” is highlighted but “Equation” is not highlighted and therefore can’t select it.

  7. J says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    This did not help. I want to install the old equation editor in a new version of word as the new equation editor is junk and unprofessional

  8. msmalekan says

    August 16, 2020 at 8:48 am

    It is really helpful, thank you.

  9. muhammad says

    May 30, 2020 at 12:08 am

    hi,

    This article helped me and saved a lot of time.

    thanks

  10. Divya Sahney says

    December 2, 2018 at 3:02 am

    Thanks a lot it was indeed very helpful.
    God bless

  11. Name says

    September 26, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    Very good clear and concise post.
    Thanks.

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Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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