Designer Help Develop your Unit Features and Tools The Equation Editor Interface

Equation Editor Links: [Equation Editor] [Equation Editor Interface] [Common Interface Elements] [Creating an Equation] [Saving and Submitting an Equation]

Common Interface Elements

• Template Icons
• Editing Tools
• Editing Area Starting Point
• Symbols Palette

Template Icons

The Template Icons allow you to create the basic structure of your equation by adding templates to the editing area. Shortcut keys can be helpful for those who use the Editor often. Shortcuts are only available for some icons, and are the same for Macintosh and PC's. Macintosh users should use the Ctrl key.

Icon	Meaning	Keyboard Shortcut
	Division or Fraction	Ctrl [shift] / or Ctrl [shift] F
	Square Root	Ctrl [shift] Q
	General Root	Ctrl [shift] R
	Subscript	Ctrl [shift] _ or Ctrl [shift] B
	Superscript	Ctrl [shift] ^ or Ctrl [shift] P
	Sub Superscript
	Underscript
	Overscript
	Under Overscript
	Sum notation
	Product notation
	Integral
	2 x 2 Matrix
	Parenthesis	Ctrl [shift] P

Editing Tools

These tools allow you to perform basic editing functions on your equations.

Icon	Meaning	Keyboard Shortcut
	Cut - Allows you to cut highlighted text.	Ctrl [shift] X
	Copy - Copies the last inserted template or highlighted text.	Ctrl [shift] C
	Paste - Pastes last cut or copied information into editing area.	Ctrl [shift] V
	Undo - Allows you to undo the previous action.	Ctrl [shift] Z
	Magnify - Increases the size of the equation view.	Ctrl [shift] +
	Minimise - Reduces the size of the equation view.	Ctrl [shift] --

Editing Area Starting Point

To begin a new equation, select the red highlight and either type in an alphanumeric character, select a template from the Template Icons or choose a symbol from the Symbols Palette.

Symbols Palette

To open the Symbols Palette:

• Click on the Symbols Palette icon

The Symbols Palette opens in a new window, which will remain open until you click the Close button.

To insert a symbol from the palette to your equation:

• In your equation select the position in which you would like to place the symbol.
• Click on the Symbols Palette Icon.
• Click on the symbol you wish to insert.

The symbol you click will automatically insert itself into the position you selected.

Click the Close button, or keep the symbols palette open to use again.