Does the equation editor in MSWord2007 suck?

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The discussion revolves around the challenges and alternatives to using the new equation editor and Equation Editor 3.0 in Microsoft Word. Users note that while the new editor is adequate, it requires an adjustment period. Key limitations include the inability to change fonts, as users are restricted to Cambria Math, and the lack of compatibility with other applications like PowerPoint, where equations paste as low-resolution images. Alternatives such as MathCad and MathType are suggested, with MathCad offering live links for automatic updates in reports, while MathType allows direct LaTeX input in Word. Users express frustration over specific features, such as difficulty typing Greek letters, but some are willing to adapt to the current tools until further changes are necessary.
pellman
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Or do I just need to work at getting used to it?

Is there a third option to using the new editor or using Equation Editor 3.0?
 
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It isn't the best, but it is entirely adequate. Yes, it takes some getting used to.

Other options? You might look into 'MathCad', if you need to do lots of reports with embedded equations. MathCad has the advantage of including live links to the mathematical 'guts' of the program inside the report editor, so you can change input values and the report updates all the calculations automatically.
 
I thought 2007 version looks better than the old one, I like that I can type stuffs like x^2 or a_2 and it will convert it, instead of having to click for the boxes to insert the power and subscript etc. Of course nothing beats good old LaTeX :P
 
pellman said:
Or do I just need to work at getting used to it?

Is there a third option to using the new editor or using Equation Editor 3.0?

It does take some getting used to, but a couple of disadvantages are that you can't change the font (you're stuck with Cambria Math) and you can't use it anywhere besides Word -- like PowerPoint, etc. It's true that you can copy an equation from Word and paste it into PPT or elsewhere, but it pastes as a crappy-looking low-resolution, uneditable image rather than a nice-looking equation that you can edit if you want.

Other options? There are several, MathType being one. MathType let's you type LaTeX directly into Word, and convert it into a graphical equation with the shortcut Alt+\.
 
bobm said:
It does take some getting used to, but a couple of disadvantages are that you can't change the font (you're stuck with Cambria Math)

yeah. I can't figure out how to type a greek letter.

2007 supports equation editor 3.0. To get it started you just have to copy an existing equation created with 3.0. I'm just going to live with that until I can't use it anymore.

Thanks for your views.
 
Actually you can get to Equation Editor 3 by clicking on the Insert tab, then click on Object (it's in the Text group). "Microsoft Equation" is listed there.
 

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