How To Write Equations In Google Slides

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When it comes to creating engaging and informative presentations, there’s no tool better than Google Slides. But, when your topic is more academic or technical, there’s a high chance you’ll need to include some mathematical equations. It could seem a bit daunting at first, but have no fear, as Google Slides is equipped to handle this task. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to write equations in Google Slides.

Using The Special Characters Tool

The simplest way of inserting equations in Google Slides is by using the ‘Special Characters’ tool in the toolbar. Here’s how you can do that:

  1. Open your Google Slides presentation and select the slide where you want to add an equation.
  2. Click on the ‘Insert’ tab on the top bar, then scroll down and select ‘Special Characters’.
  3. A dialog box will open with a wide array of symbols. You can either scroll to find the symbol you need or you can draw the symbol in the drawing box, and Google will find it for you.
  4. Click on the symbol you want, and it will appear in your slide.

Using The Equation Toolbar

For more complex equations, Google Slides doesn’t have a dedicated equation editor. However, there is a workaround to this problem by using the Equation Toolbar in Google Docs which can be accessed through Google’s App Scripts. Here’s how:

function onOpen() {
  DocumentApp.getUi() 
      .createMenu('Custom Menu')
      .addItem('Show equation toolbar', 'showToolbar')
      .addToUi();
}

function showToolbar() {
  DocumentApp.getUi() 
      .alert('The equation toolbar has been enabled.');
}

Then, write your equations in Google Docs, and copy them into Google Slides.

Using Add-ons

Another effective method for writing equations in Google Slides is to use add-ons like ‘EquatIO’ or ‘MathType’. These add-ons offer a more streamlined experience for creating and inserting mathematical equations and scientific formulas.

Using EquatIO

  1. Go to ‘Add-ons’ then ‘Get add-ons’ and search for ‘EquatIO’.
  2. Click on ‘Free’ to install it, and then give permission for the add-on to access your Google Slides.
  3. Open the EquatIO toolbox by clicking on the icon in the bottom right corner of your screen.
  4. Use the tools available to create your equation, then click ‘Insert Math’ to add it to your slide.

Whether you’re a teacher explaining a complex mathematical concept, a student presenting a science project, or a professional showcasing data analysis, equations can be a vital part of your presentation. While Google Slides doesn’t offer a built-in equation editor, these methods provide effective workarounds to add equations to your slides. So, get going and make your presentations more informative and interactive with equations!