Univeristy of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Univeristy of Wisconsin-Green Bay

The Cowbell

News and Resources from UW-Green Bay's Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

Digital Accessibility Tip: Working with Equations

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Looking to expand your knowledge of digital accessibility and learn quick strategies that you can easily integrate into your workflow? CATL’s blog post series on digital accessibility catalogues some helpful tips and tricks we’ve shared in our Teach Tuesday e-newsletter!

In this tip, we’ll discuss how you can convert handwritten equations into digital text with Copilot and LaTeX.

Converting Handwritten Equations into Digital Format

Many instructors have engaged in STEM teaching that involves writing equations or formulas by hand. How can faculty make those materials digitally accessible (or even just “digital”)? In this tip, we’ll walk you through one potential solution to make this process manageable for instructors.

There are two primary tools used in this process: LaTeX, a typesetting system and markup language used to write and display complex mathematical equations, and Microsoft Copilot, a generative AI tool. Use the directions below to convert your handwritten equations into LaTeX with the assistance of Copilot.

  1. Upload an image of your hand-drawn equation to Copilot or another text-based GAI tool. Using a prompt like “What is this equation?”, have the GAI tool identify the text.
    • Review the output by Copilot to make sure it has correctly interpreted the symbols in your equation. If there are mistakes, ask for revisions as needed.
  2. Use a follow-up prompt like “Please convert this equation to LaTeX so I can paste it into a LaTeX editor” to generate a version written in LaTeX. Copy the LaTeX output.
    • If Copilot produces an output that spans multiple lines with additional document formatting information, copy only the line of text that contains the equation. For example, the ion product constant of water can be expressed in LaTeX like this: K_w = (K_a)(K_b) = [\text{H}^{+1}][\text{OH}^{-1}] = 1.00 \times 10^{-14}
  3. Paste the LaTeX equation into your application of choice and convert the LaTeX back into display text. The processes for doing this in Canvas or Microsoft Word are detailed in the next sections. The text below was inserted into a Microsoft Word document using the example LaTeX from step 2:
the ion product constant of water equation (K_w) rendered with proper exponents, subscripts, and, variables

Inserting LaTeX into Canvas

You can insert LaTeX into Canvas pages using the Equation Editor in the Rich Content Editor.

  1. In Canvas, navigate to a page, assignment, quiz, discussion, or announcement where you’d like to add an equation. Select the Edit button to open the Rich Content Editor.
  2. In the menu bar of the Rich Content Editor, go to Insert > Equation.
    Canvas Rich Content Editor showing the Insert menu with the Equation option highlighted
  3. Paste the LaTeX equation into the textbox below the symbol keyboard.
    Canvas Equation Editor with a keyboard of symbols and a textbox containing the K_w equation written in LaTeX
  4. A preview of the equation will be displayed at the bottom of the pop-up window. If you need to edit the LaTeX, you can turn on the “Directly Edit LaTeX” toggle to make changes. If it looks correct, select Done to insert the equation, then Save your work in the Rich Content Editor.

Inserting LaTeX into Microsoft Word

You can insert LaTeX into a Microsoft Word document using the Equation Tools function. The process is slightly different depending on whether you are using the desktop app or the online Office 365 app.

  1. In Microsoft Word, navigate to a document where you’d like to add an equation.
  2. In the menu bar, select Insert > Equation.
    • For the desktop app:
      • Paste the LaTeX equation into the textbox with no formatting (Ctrl + Shift + V).
      • Select the LaTeX button from the equation menu, then Convert (the ex button).
        Microsoft Word desktop application Equation Editor toolbar Convert button and LaTeX highlighted
    • For the online app:
      • Paste the LaTeX equation into the Equation Tools editor.
      • Review the equation to confirm it looks correct. Then select Insert on page to add the equation to your document.
        Microsoft Word web application Equation Tools with pasted K_w equation written in LaTeX

Looking for More Tips?

Explore even more quick tips in our Digital Accessibility Tips post, where you’ll find a growing list of strategies to help make your course materials more accessible.

Further Accessibility Training

Ready to dive deeper into digital accessibility? Essentials of Accessibility for Faculty and Staff is a free, self-paced, online course that will teach you the basics of digital accessibility and accessibility best practices for several key applications that UW-Green Bay employees may use in their daily work. We encourage you to self-enroll in the course to learn practical approaches for remediating digital accessibility issues in a variety of use cases and applications.

Connect with CATL

You are not alone in your accessibility journey! While CATL cannot advise on the legal specifications of Title II, instructors are always welcome to schedule a consultation with us or stop by our office (CL 405) to discuss the accessibility of your teaching materials.