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How to Insert Equations in Google Slides? A Simple Way!

How to Insert Equations in Google Slides? A Simple Way!

Google Slides is usually amazing! But, when it comes to adding mathematical symbols and equations in Google Slides, it just feels like a hassle! If you are new to Google Slides, especially if you are a teacher or a student, you will definitely be left wondering whether you can add equations in Google Slides!

You can use the “Special Characters” option to insert equations in Google Slides. First, click on “Insert”. Then, select the “Special Characters” option from the dropdown. A new window will open up. You can either choose the category or simply search for the symbol by name and build the equation.

In the rest of this article, I will explain how to use the built-in feature and add-ons to add equations in Google slides. I will also discuss adding chemical formulae in Google Slides. So, stick around till the end with me to learn the basics of adding equations in Google slides!

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs. The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

Can you Insert an Equation in Google Slides?

Preparing a slide is nothing complicated If it contains normal text and images. The problem arises when you have to include any mathematical equations or chemistry formulae in your slides. The normal keyboard doesn’t contain any keys for math symbols. Furthermore, the sheer number of these symbols used makes it impossible to add any keyboard shortcuts either.

Luckily Google Slides has an inline feature that allows the users to add symbols. You can write pretty much any math equation and formula using symbols provided as part of the “Special Characters” feature in Google Slides. There was a time when you could write equations in Google docs and add that to your Slide but Google has removed that feature.

Another way to add equations in Google slides is using third-party add-ons. There are a few handy add-ons in the Google workspace marketplace for writing mathematical symbols with ease. These add-ons are full of features and very user-friendly. I shall be discussing a couple of the most useful ones later in the article.

For now, let’s understand how to insert a math equation in Google Slides.

How to Insert Math Equations in Google Slides?

As I’ve mentioned above, there are two methods to insert math equations in Google slides. you can use either. You can use mathematical symbols from the built-in feature or you can use add-ons.

Here’s how you can insert math equations in Google Slides using the built-in feature:

  1. Insert a “Text Box” on a blank slide. Then, double click inside the text box to be in edit mode.
  1. Click on Insert > Special characters
  2. A dialogue box will appear.
  1. Select ‘symbol’ from the left drop-down menu and ‘Maths’ from the right drop-down menu.
  2. You can also search for the symbol directly in the search bar. For instance, if you want to add a “greater than equal to” sign, just type that in the search bar.
  1. Insert the necessary symbols to write the required math equation.

Pro Tip!
To superscript text in Google Slides, simply click on “Insert” and choose “Special Characters” from the dropdown menu. Then, in the window that pops up, search for “superscript“. Choose the text you want to superscript.

How to Write Fractions in Google Slides?

When making a presentation on mathematics, writing fractions is inevitable. Writing fractions on Google Slides is one of the easiest things to do. Google has made this feature so easy that you won’t even need to use the special characters feature.

I have covered the topic of writing fractions in Google Slides in great detail in another article. Make sure to check out my other article as well for more tips and tricks!

To insert fractions in Google Slides, simply use the oblique (/) sign on the keyboard between the numbers to convert them into a fraction. You can find the oblique key usually located to the left of the right “SHIFT” key on your keyboard.

Let’s take a look at the detailed step-by-step process –

Let’s say we want to write ‘half’. Do do that, just type one (1) from the keyboard, then oblique (/), and then two (2).

Now, press “Space” or “Enter” and it will be automatically written in fraction form and look like this: ½.

Similarly, if you want to write three-fourth or two-third, write the corresponding numbers and symbols sequentially and they will appear in the fraction form.

If you have add-ons and want to use them, you can do that too. Go to the add-ons tab and select the one you want to work with. But I highly recommend just typing in with your keyboard considering how convenient it is.

Is There an Equation Editor in Google Slides?

Currently, there is no built-in equation editor in Google Slides. However, there are multiple equation editor add-ons that are available. Simply go to Add-ons menu>Get add-ons. In the pop-up, search for equation editor (or Math editor), choose the add-on you like and click install.

Most of the equation editors are third-party and free to use. You can find them on Google workspace marketplace by clicking on the ‘plus (+)’ icon from the right-side panel. You will have to sign in with a valid Gmail account. The add-on will seek permission to see various information or data on your account.

Also Read – How to Add Exponents in Google Slides? [Complete Guide!]

But, you won’t have to worry about that. As they are on the Google workspace marketplace, they are verified by Google and usually safe. They are very user-oriented as well.

Best Equation Editor Plugins for Google Slides

There are several add-ons for writing mathematical terms in Google slides. While all of them are quite good, some are the absolute best. Following are the two best equation editors that I’ve found to be the most useful:

1. MathType

MathType is by far the king of equation editor plugins for Google slide. It’s super easy to use. Even if you are a new user, you can easily write any equation you want. There is a separate section for writing chemical formulas. So, if you are a lab geek, MathType has got your back.

It also supports a touchpad. If you are on a touch-enabled device, you can write any equation using your fingers and MathType will recognize it.

2. Hypatia Create

Hypatia Create is loaded with features. It is user-friendly and publication-quality math can be added to your presentation. It has both Google docs and Google slides add-on. It has integration with MathType and Mathpix for a better user experience. You can also use the LaTeX commands to insert equations.

For using add-ons, do the followings:

  • Open or start a new presentation.
  • Click on the plus (+) icon on the right-side panel.
  • Google workplace marketplace window shall appear.
  • Search for your desired add-on from the search bar.
  • Install the add-on.
  • Now go to the ‘Add-ons’ tab.
  • Click on the one you want to work with (if you’ve installed multiple add-ons)
  • Insert equations.

How to Write Chemical Formula in Google Slides?

There isn’t any built-in feature in Google slides to write a chemical formula. However, you can do that easily by using the MathType add-on. follow the steps below:

  • When selecting MathType, go to ‘Insert/edit chem formula.’
  • You will see various chemistry symbols.
  • The symbols are categorized under different tabs such as Symbols, Arrow’s tab, Matrices, and elementary tab, etc.
  • The first tab has a dedicated periodic table.
  • Use the periodic table and the symbols to write your desired equation.
  • You can use the touchpad to write formulas as well.
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Credit to Wayhomestudio (designed by Freepik) for the feature image of this article