How to Enable Equation Editor in Microsoft Word

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

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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.

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.

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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.
   
4. Choose “Add or Remove Features” and select “Continue“.
   
5. Select the plus sign next to “Office Tools“, then select “Equation Editor” > “Run from My Computer“.
   
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.
   

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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.

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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.