Use keyboard commands to enter symbols, navigate math structures, select content, and edit equations in Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Excel.
This article explains essential keyboard workflows for editable equations in supported desktop versions of Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Excel. It covers how to create equations, enter Unicode math symbols, navigate structured mathematical content, select equation components, edit common math objects, use assistive technology, and troubleshoot unexpected navigation behavior. components, edit common math objects, use assistive technology, and troubleshoot unexpected navigation behavior.
Note
- Commands can differ by app and operating system. Each section identifies where a command applies.
In this article
Understand structured equations
Structural navigation works with editable, built-up equations. It doesn't work with equations you insert as images or with expressions you type as ordinary text.
An equation contains nested math objects. A fraction contains a numerator and denominator. A radical contains a radicand and might contain a degree. A script object contains a base and one or more scripts. Keyboard navigation follows this structure. Use the Left and Right arrow keys to move through editable positions in reading order. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to move between structurally related components, such as a fraction’s numerator and denominator. and may contain a degree; a script object contains a base and one or more scripts. Keyboard navigation follows this structure.
Keyboard navigation follows an equation’s nested structure. Use Left and Right arrow key to move through editable positions in reading order, and use Up and Down arrow key to move between structurally related components, such as a fraction’s numerator and denominator.
Note
The exact stopping position depends on the math object and whether a component is empty.
Create an equation and enter symbols
Create equations and enter symbols using Unicode values or Math AutoCorrect.
Create a new equation
In Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote for Windows, press Alt+= to insert a new equation at the cursor. An equation box opens so you can type or build the expression. In Excel, on the Insert tab, select Symbols, and then select Equation tab, select Symbols, and then select Equation.
Convert a Unicode value to a symbol
Type the hexadecimal Unicode value without the U+ prefix. For example, type 221A.
Press Alt+X. Word converts the value to the corresponding character. In this example, 221A becomes √.
Enter symbols with Math AutoCorrect
In an equation, type a Math AutoCorrect code and press the Spacebar to insert the corresponding symbol. For example, type \infty and press the Spacebar to insert the infinity symbol.
Math AutoCorrect codes are case-sensitive and are available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote on Windows and Mac.
To find the code or Unicode value for a symbol, go to Quick start guide to Math AutoCorrect commands and symbols.
Look up a character's Unicode value
Select the character, or place the insertion point immediately after it.
Press Alt+X. Word replaces the character with its hexadecimal Unicode value. Press Alt+X again to convert it back.
Tip
- If other hexadecimal characters appear immediately before the value, select only the code before you press Alt+X. If the converted character doesn't display correctly, try a font that includes the character.
Use the keyboard to navigate an equation
Use the keyboard to enter and leave an equation and move through its components.
Enter and leave an equation
Use Left or Right arrow key in the document until the insertion point reaches the equation.
Continue in the same direction to move into the equation and through its first or last component.
At the boundary of the outermost math object, press the arrow key again to leave the equation and return to the surrounding document text.
Move in reading order
Press Right arrow key to move forward and Left arrow key to move backward.
The app visits the editable positions within each object, then moves to the next or previous object. For example, moving forward through a fraction visits the numerator before the denominator.
Move by math object
In Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote for Windows, use unmodified arrow keys to move among editable positions inside a built-up math object.
At the object boundary, use Ctrl+Right arrow key or Ctrl+Left arrow key to move by word units. A fraction, radical, matrix, or scripted expression is treated as one word unit.
- Ctrl+Right arrow key stops at the start of the next math object. Press it again to move past the entire object.
- Ctrl+Left arrow key from immediately after a math object moves to the start of that object.
Move between vertically related parts
Use Up and Down arrow key when the current object has vertically related components:
- In a fraction, move between the numerator and denominator.
- In an expression with scripts, move between the base area and a superscript or subscript when a corresponding target exists.
- In a matrix or array, move between cells in the same column.
- In a stacked or n-ary structure, move to the structurally related component above or below.
If there isn't a structurally related component in the requested direction, the insertion point stays in place. Use Left or Right arrow key to continue in reading order or to leave the current math object.
Keyboard shortcuts for inserting and converting equations
Before converting an equation, select the linear input format that matches your expression:
- UnicodeMath for Office-style linear notation.
- LaTeX for LaTeX commands. Enter or paste the linear expression, use the conversion shortcut for your app and operating system, and confirm that the expected linear format is active if the result is unexpected.
Note
On Windows, Ctrl refers to the Control key. On Mac, shortcut names use the labels printed on the keyboard: Control, Command, and Option.
PowerPoint now includes keyboard shortcuts that make it faster and easier to insert and edit native Office Math, similar to the shortcuts available in Word. These commands are especially helpful for people who can't easily use a mouse or other pointing device.
They're also useful for people who use LaTeX because conversion between linear input and professionally formatted math doesn't occur automatically as you type.
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Insert or toggle math | Alt+= in Word or PowerPoint | Control+= in Word Control+Option+= in PowerPoint |
| Convert linear format (UnicodeMath or LaTeX) to professional format | Ctrl+= in Word Ctrl+Alt+= in PowerPoint |
Command+= in Word Command+Option+= in PowerPoint |
| Convert professional format to linear format (UnicodeMath or LaTeX) | Ctrl+Shift+= in Word Ctrl+Alt+Shift+= in PowerPoint |
Command+Shift+= in Word |
Edit equation content
Move the insertion point to the content you want to change, and then type to insert new content.
Press Backspace to remove the character or math object before the insertion point.
Press Delete to remove the character or math object after the insertion point.
When a complete math object is selected, typing replaces the selection. Press Backspace or Delete to remove it.
Keyboard reference
Use these keyboard commands to navigate and select equation content.
Navigation commands
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Right arrow | Move forward to the next insertion position or equation component. |
| Left arrow | Move backward to the previous insertion position or equation component. |
| Ctrl+Right arrow | Move forward by a word unit. At a math-object boundary, stop at the start of the object. Press again to move past the entire object. |
| Ctrl+Left arrow | Move backward by a word unit. From immediately after a math object, move to the start of that object. |
| Up arrow | Move to a structurally related component above the current position. |
| Down arrow | Move to a structurally related component below the current position. |
| Home | Move to the beginning of the current line or applicable equation context. |
| End | Move to the end of the current line or applicable equation context. |
Select equation content
Hold Shift while using a navigation key to extend the selection through the equation:
Selection commands
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Shift+Right arrow | Extend the selection forward. |
| Shift+Left arrow | Extend the selection backward. |
| Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow | Extend the selection forward by a word unit. |
| Ctrl+Shift+Left arrow | Extend the selection backward by a word unit. |
| Shift+Up arrow | Extend the selection toward a related component above. |
| Shift+Down arrow | Extend the selection toward a related component below. |
Tip
Structured selection can include an entire math object when the selection crosses its boundary. This feature is useful when replacing a complete fraction, radical, matrix cell, or scripted expression.
Navigate common equation structures
Use the keyboard to navigate common equation structures, including fractions, superscripts and subscripts, radicals, matrices, and n-ary operators.
Fraction
Use Left or Right arrow key to enter the fraction.
Move through the numerator in reading order.
Press Down arrow key to move from the numerator to the denominator.
Press Up arrow key to return to the numerator.
Use Right arrow key at the end of the fraction to continue to the next object.
Superscript and subscript
Move to the scripted expression with Left or Right arrow key.
Use the vertical arrow that corresponds to the script's position to enter it.
Use the opposite vertical arrow to return toward the base.
Continue horizontally to move beyond the entire scripted object.
For an expression such as x with both a subscript and superscript, the available vertical destinations depend on the current component and the structure of the script object.
Radical
Move horizontally into the radical.
Navigate through the radicand in reading order.
If the radical has a degree, use structural navigation to move between the degree and radicand when that destination is available.
Move horizontally beyond the radical to leave the object.
Matrix or array
Use Left and Right arrow keys to move between positions and cells in reading order.
Use Up and Down arrow keys to move between cells in the same column.
At an outer boundary, continue horizontally to leave the matrix or move to the adjacent equation object.
N-ary operators, integrals, and limits
Operators such as sums and integrals might contain lower and upper limits as well as an operand. Use horizontal navigation for reading order and vertical navigation to move among structurally related limit components when available. limit components when available.
Use equation navigation with assistive technology
A screen reader announces the math object, its role, and the component at the cursor. Spoken output varies by screen reader, verbosity settings, the app, and the math accessibility support available in Microsoft 365.
Use Office sounds for equation boundaries
Office sounds provide an audio cue when the insertion point enters or exits an equation. This csn helps screen reader users confirm the equation boundary while navigating.
Turn on Office sounds in Windows:
In the Office app, select File > Options.
Select Accessibility or Ease of Access.
Under Feedback Options, select Provide feedback with sound.
Keyboard-only: Press Alt, F, T to open Options. Use the arrow keys to select Accessibility or Ease of Access, press Tab to reach Provide feedback with sound, and press Enter to select it.
Note
- This setting affects Microsoft 365 programs that support Office sounds.
- Investigate whether the equation enter-and-exit sound works in Office for Mac and document the applicable setup steps.
Navigate equations with a screen reader
- Listen for structure: Pay attention to announcements such as “fraction,” “numerator,” “denominator,” “superscript,” “subscript,” “radical,” “matrix,” “row,” and “column.”
- Move deliberately: Press one arrow key at a time and pause for the announcement before continuing.
- Recover your position: If an expression is difficult to understand, move to the outer boundary and re-enter it in reading order.
- Confirm before editing: Verify both the announced component and the insertion point before typing or deleting.
Troubleshoot navigation
Use these troubleshooting suggestions to resolve common issues when navigating equations.
Common navigation issues
| Issue | What to try |
|---|---|
| An arrow key doesn't move where you expect. | The requested structural destination might not exist. Try the opposite vertical arrow, and then use the Left or Right arrow key to re-enter the object. |
| The insertion point skips an empty component. | Navigate to the containing object and use the corresponding vertical arrow. Empty placeholders might behave differently from components that contain content. |
| Selection includes more than one symbol. | You might have crossed a math-object boundary, which causes the structured object to be selected. Release Shift and move without selecting to inspect the position. |
| The screen reader doesn't announce equation structure. | Confirm that the expression is a built-up Microsoft 365 equation rather than an image or plain text. Also verify that the app and screen reader are up to date. |
| Navigation unexpectedly leaves the equation. | You might be at the boundary of the outermost object. Reverse direction to return, or use the nearest document position to re-enter. |
Quick practice
Use this exercise to practice the guide’s main workflow: create an equation, enter and convert a symbol, navigate a built-up structure, and select an equation component. The completed equation contains a fraction inside a radical and a scripted variable. Starting before the equation:
Press Alt+= to create a new equation, type 221A, and press Alt+X to insert √.
With the insertion point immediately after √, press Alt+X to reveal 221A; press Alt+X again to restore the symbol.
Press Right arrow key repeatedly and notice the order in which Word visits the components.
Inside the fraction, use Up and Down arrow keys to switch between numerator and denominator.
Move to the scripted variable and use vertical navigation to enter and leave its script.
Hold Shift with an arrow key to select a component, then press the same arrow without Shift to inspect the resulting position.
Continue with Right arrow key until you leave the equation.
Summary
- Use the app-specific command to create an equation and enter symbols with Math AutoCorrect or Unicode conversion. conversion.
- Use horizontal arrows for reading order, vertical arrows for related components, and add Shift to extend a selection.
- If navigation is unclear, return to the outer boundary of the math object and move through it one step at a time.