Microsoft Word/Mathtype to LaTeX Coversion

  • Context: LaTeX 
  • Thread starter Thread starter 'AQF
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    Latex Mathtype
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods for converting Word documents containing MathType equations into LaTeX format. Participants explore various tools, techniques, and personal experiences related to this conversion process, addressing both the challenges and potential solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks an easy and free method to convert Word documents with MathType equations to LaTeX format.
  • Another participant mentions that MathType has a built-in LaTeX translator, suggesting manual translation of equations.
  • Some participants express doubt about converting entire .doc files, emphasizing the effectiveness of MathType's translator.
  • A user shares their experience of using Word and MathType for homework and papers, indicating they are also looking for a solution.
  • One participant suggests learning LaTeX as a potentially more efficient alternative to conversion.
  • Another participant argues that writing in MathType can be faster than writing in LaTeX, highlighting the speed of equation writing in MathType.
  • One user points out that their university requires .tex files, not PDFs, for submissions.
  • A suggestion is made to use Word2TeX, which can convert .doc files to .tex format, although the user has not personally tried it.
  • Some participants discuss their preferences for MathType versus LaTeX, with differing opinions on the efficiency of each method.
  • Another participant shares their experience with keyboard shortcuts in both MathType and LaTeX, asserting they can type faster with MathType.
  • One user recommends downloading tools like Technicenter or MikTeX to assist with LaTeX usage, sharing their historical perspective on the evolution of these tools.
  • A Linux user suggests Kile as a suitable LaTeX editor, while cautioning about potential library conflicts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the best approach to convert Word documents to LaTeX. While some advocate for using MathType's built-in features, others suggest learning LaTeX directly or using specific conversion tools. No consensus is reached on a single best method.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note limitations in the conversion process, such as the inability to convert entire documents seamlessly and the dependency on specific software capabilities. There are also references to personal preferences and experiences that may influence the effectiveness of the suggested methods.

'AQF
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Does anyone know of an easy, effective, and preferably free way to convert Word (*.doc) documents with Mathtype 5.2 equations to standard, compliable LaTeX format (*.tex).

This is very important.

Thanks.
 
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I don't know about that but Mathtype itself has a built-in LaTeX-translater, so you can always translate your equations manually with Mathtype.
 
Thanks. Any other ideas?
 
I doubt you can convert the whole .doc file, but Mathtype has a very good translator by itself.
 
I use the same combo (MS word/ MathType) for my HW and papers. I have been just printing to PDF and meanwhile looking for that exact fix.

*You are not alone 'AFQ*
 
...you could always just learn LaTeX and make the .tex files yourself. It seems like it would be more work to convert a .doc to a .tex.
 
the reason he wants to convert is probably because writing Mathtype is much faster than writing in tex. Writing in Mathtype can even be faster than writing the equations by hand.
 
[QUOTE='AQF]Does anyone know of an easy, effective, and preferably free way to convert Word (*.doc) documents with Mathtype 5.2 equations to standard, compliable LaTeX format (*.tex).
This is very important.
Thanks.[/QUOTE]
Why do you want Word documents converted into Latex format :confused:
Are you trying to convert them into pdf files ?
If so, you could try Open Office (free to download from somewhere).
You can open Word documents (with Mathtype eqns) into Open Office. It has a button that directly converts its documents into pdf files.
 
No. Only TEX files are supported by the University Publishing System. Thus, I must convert to TEX, not PDF.
 
  • #10
I have MathType, and I know LaTex :smile:

But if you do not know LaTex, go to the menu bar, and under "Preferences", click on "Translators".

Rather than use the "Equation Object", click on "Translation to other language" and selected LaTex.

:wink:
 
  • #11
tmc said:
the reason he wants to convert is probably because writing Mathtype is much faster than writing in tex. Writing in Mathtype can even be faster than writing the equations by hand.

are you on crack? There is a reason that AMS uses latex. inline equations make it easier and faster to write a mathematically rich paper. having to click around for the stupid math editor all the time is a pain and makes you change focus from writing to constructing and object.
 
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  • #12
[QUOTE='AQF]Does anyone know of an easy, effective, and preferably free way to convert Word (*.doc) documents with Mathtype 5.2 equations to standard, compliable LaTeX format (*.tex).

This is very important.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Word2TeX ( www.word2tex.com ) does this job and it seems quite good, although I haven't used it. You just Save As.. your .doc file in .TeX format and it has plenty of options, including image convertion.

I don't recommend Word for writing papers - I prefer using MathType so that you can see what you 're writing and then copy-paste the equations to LaTeX using the tip bomba923 said. MathType has also keyboard shortcuts for most of the symbols and customization flexibility. But it 's worthwhile to spend a few hours learning LaTeX - it's easier than general relativity anyway! :rolleyes:
 
  • #13
ComputerGeek said:
are you on crack? There is a reason that AMS uses latex. inline equations make it easier and faster to write a mathematically rich paper. having to click around for the stupid math editor all the time is a pain and makes you change focus from writing to constructing and object.

I've mastered using keyboard shortcuts with MathType 5.2 (copying and pasting onto with MS Word) and with LaTeX. I don't need to use a single mouse click with either method. I am definitely a faster typer with MathType 5.2 and am also much more confident with what I am actually typing with the WYSIWYG interface of MathType. In fact, I type faster with MathType then I write out a solution by hand, simply because I can copy and paste long expressions and often repeat themselves in a solution. However, if I were to publish a work, I would have to use LaTeX. On the other hand, I could always convert MathType to LaTeX with WordtoLaTeX.
 
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  • #14
Download a copy of technicenter (http://www.toolscenter.org/) or miktex (http://www.miktex.org/ ) and use their guis. I used Word2TeX and it is ok, better than retyping everything. The gui's have come a long way to help speed and productivity, when I started using TeX back in '88, there were none and you typed in everything from scratch and spent hours and hours debugging and spell checking to get everything to compile and run. forget getting a pdf file, they didn't exist and you has to use postscript.

If you are using linux, try kile (http://kile.sourceforge.net/) , it is the best out there on that platform, but watch out, one of the libraries will overwrite a library for Fedora Core 3 and you will not be able to completely upgrade your system.
 
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