You know we can insert equations in Word? Yes. Continue reading this simple Word tips and tricks tutorial to learn more. Microsoft is a tool for simply creating document files, namely articles and project files.
Microsoft Word makes the document more attractive than paper or file work by providing different features such as various sizes of pages, fonts, colors, designs, bullets, tables, charts, page borders/numbers, and many more.
Equations are part of the thing when you engage with research. You might have difficulty adding if you are a student or teacher and must include symbols or equations. But no worries you can do it in less time in Microsft Word. Let’s get started.
How to insert an equation in Word online
Follow the simple steps below to insert the equation into Microsoft Word.
- Make sure you keep the cursor at the spot where you want to insert the equation. You also use arrow keys or a mouse to get the cursor to the place.
- Once you have the spot, click on Insert and Equation.

- The Equation Tools page will pop up once you click on the Equation option. Here, you can see three options: Recent, Symbols, and Structures.
- Recent – The symbols or equations that you have used recently.
- Symbols – It will show a list of symbols.
- Structures – Here, you can see a list of equations.

- Here, if you select one particular equation, it will display under Equation Tools. Click Insert on a page.

- Once you click Insert on the page, the equation will appear in the Word document.

This is how to insert an equation in Microsoft Word Online.
Insert Equation in Word
Here you can see how to insert an Equation in Word from the desktop version of Microsoft Word.
- Open Microsoft Word in a desktop application.
- Click Insert and simultaneously click Equation.

- Now, the list of equations is shown. Click the equation you want to add to a Word document.

- Once you click the equation, right away it will be added to your Microsoft Word.

- If you want to add more equations, click More Equations from Office.com and select the equation you want to add.

- Similarly, the equation will be added in a Word document.
- You can click Insert New Equation to add your equation if it is not available in Word.

- Type your required equation here in this box.

- One more option you can do here is to write the equation manually. Click Equation and click Ink Equation.

- Now, the Math Input Control page will appear. Here, you can write the equation and click Insert. Use the Write option to write the required equation, Erase to remove if it is wrong, and click Clear to delete all. Once you have written,e click the Insert option.
Note – When you type the equation, it will display properly at the top.

- Once you click Insert, the equation will be displayed in Microsoft Word from the desktop version.

You can insert the equation in Microsoft Word from a desktop application.
How to Edit Equations in Word Online?
In Symbols, you can select all the symbols from the library in the order you would like to view them on the Word document. This includes basic math symbols and some complicated ones. This section is supposed to have all you need to edit, solve, and create an equation.
You can edit the equation in Word online by clicking the pencil icon and changing the values. But ensure you are not changing the formulas, or the message will pop up as the formula is wrong.

You can edit the symbols once inserted in the Word document. Click on the equation, and you can type the values for which you want to edit the equation.

Once the equation is ready, you can select Insert on Page. This will ensure that your equation is on your Word online page.
How to Insert Equations in Word Online on an Android Device?
Similar to a PC, you can also insert Equations in Word Online on an Android device.
- Open the Word document you want to add the equation.
- Keep the cursor precise where the equation needs to be inserted.
- Click on the edit option to have a menu at the bottom of your screen.

- Click on the arrow near home to reveal the menu.
- Select Insert. This will open a menu at the bottom.
- Please scroll down to see the Equation and select it.
- You will see a blank space blinking on your screen.
- You can then insert the equation you choose. Either type out the equation or select them from the options available.

- The editor lets you edit parts of the equation or all of it using Math Options.
- The phone keyboard options are sufficient to edit as it has most of the symbols in the numbers and symbols section. if you are still looking for options, choose the pre-installed equations.

- Clicking this gives you two additional options: Professional and Linear. Choose the option required and make the necessary changes to the equation.
The equation can be added to a Word document by doing this on mobile.
How to Insert Equations in Word Online on iOS?
You can add an equation to a Word document from your Apple device.
- Open the document that requires the equation.
- Click on the spot where the equation needs to be added.
- From the menu, choose the Insert option.
- Scroll down to equations.
- You can edit the equation by clicking on the blank space on the screen.
- Use symbols from the keyboard.
- Ready equations are available in the menu, and you can select the one you require.
- Click on the check mark to save the changes made to the equation.
This is how to add an equation editor in Word online from an iOS device.
Read How to insert shapes in Microsoft word online?
Equation Editor greyed out in Word 365 or Word Online
The reason you cannot add the equation in Word 365 or Word Online is explained below.
- Make sure you are in the editing mode instead of viewing mode. If you are in the reading mode, you cannot make any changes in the Word document.
How to Enable Editing Mode in Word Document
Below are the steps to enable editing mode in Word documents.
- Click the Insert option and click Editing at the top right corner. If your document is in Editing mode, then the Editing option will show first. If it is in reviewing or viewing mode, then that will show in the display.

This is how to enable equations in Word Online and fix the equation editor greyed out in the Word 365 issue.
After clicking on Install click the + sign next to the office tools. Now click the arrow next to Equation Editor to select. Select the Run All option from My Computer and then select Update Now.
Yes, you can insert an equation to the Word document you are working on by pressing Alt and = together. This will insert an equation at the position of the cursor. It will also open the editor so that you can make the desired changes to the equation.
Conclusion
This tutorial taught you how to add equations in Word Online and desktop applications. Also explained how to edit the equation and how to write the equation manually as well. This tutorial also discussed how to add equations in Android and iOS mobile applications.
This article took you through
- How to insert equations in Word online?
- Inserting an equation in Word online
- How to edit equations in Word online?
- How to insert equations in Word online on an Android device?
- How to insert equations in Word online on iOS?
- Why is the equation editor selection greyed out?
Related Microsoft 365 Word online tutorials.
- How to add page numbers in word online?
- How to delete a document in word online?
- Check word count in word online
- How to insert a table of content in word online
- How to insert an online video on word online

My name is Carissa Gudino and I am an expert in word online, using Word Online in my day-to-day tasks. In this blog, I will share with you tips and tutorials on how to use word online to its fullest potential. I work for various clients in various countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc. My tutorials are designed to help beginners, as well as more experienced users, learn new tricks and tips on Microsoft word online. Check out more.