Re: [libreoffice-users] LibreOffice MathML workflows

Hi Deyan,

Deyan Ginev schrieb am 14.08.2025 um 21:52:
> Hello everyone,
>
> In our W3C meeting today a question was raised if new versions of
> LibreOffice have made any updates to the MathML workflows, and what may be
> the recommendations for productive use.
>
> We may need more details if there is a specific concern, but testing with
> v25.2 Writer, it seems possible to
>
> 1. create math via Insert / OLE object / Formula object

LibreOffice uses "OLE object" not only in Writer but in Calc, Draw, and 
Impress as well. The editing is "in place". Not all UI options are 
available in this mode. To get the full set of options use the Math 
module directly, in start center on left side "Math Formula", or from 
menu File > New > Formula. The saved result can then be inserted in 
other documents via Insert > OLE > from file.

> 2. export to MathML, via File / Export / type XHTML (.html;.xhtml)

In module Math you can save in OpenDocument Format Formula (*.odf) or 
save as standalone MathML 2.0 (*.mml).

The export to XHTML uses an XSL-transformation.

> I did not succeed in getting the following import recipe work:
> 3. File / New / Formula  then Tools / Import MathML from Clipboard

What do you have in the Clipboard and what version of LibreOffice do you 
use? Best is, if the clipboard contains a standalone MathML including 
the <?xml ...?> prolog. The current LibreOffice versions import as well, 
if the clipboard starts with the <math> element. But it must contain the 
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"; attribute.

> Which appears to not lead to any behavior after copying some MathML. I got
> the same lack of change when I ran "Tools / Import Formula..." from a file.

In which LibreOffice version do you try it? It works here without 
problems in LibreOffice 25.2.5.2 on Windows 11. You find the version 
info in menu Help > About. Click on the button there to put the info 
into Clipboard. You can import a standalone MathML *.mml file, an 
OpenDocument Format *.odf file or the formula files that where created 
by OpenOffice.org 1.0 (*.sxm).

> I was also wondering why the "File / Send / Create HTML Document" path
> creates images for the formulas rather than MathML, which seems different
> than the Export path.

Saving to HTML uses very old code and is no longer active maintained. It 
uses images because the native support for MathML by browsers was not 
given at that time.

> Are there workflows that I am missing?

The workflow for using "Math Formula" in text document needs additional 
considerations in regard the fact, that the formula is a shape object. 
That is, how it is anchored, or how the text wraps around the object, or 
its vertical position relative to the surrounding text, for example.

When a formula is embedded in a document, you need to consider the font 
size of the surrounding text. In a presentation you likely need a larger 
size then in a text document. You can adapt the font size that is used 
inside the formula via Format > Font Size. But that is not 
interoperable, because the size is stored in the settings of the OLE 
object and not directly in the MathML markup. For better 
interoperability you should set the font size directly inside the 
formula via the size attribute. Then you get a <mstyle mathsize="..."> 
element in the markup.

It is possible to have Math objects as AutoText. An example is included 
in LibreOffice as "Formula Numbering" AutoText.

You can get more info about the formula editor in LibreOffice by the 
online help
https://help.libreoffice.org/master/en-US/text/smath/main0000.html?DbPAR=MATH
or by the "Math Guide". Look at 
https://documentation.libreoffice.org/en/english-documentation/ for 
download or view in browser.

And of cause ask here on this list or ask on 
https://ask.libreoffice.org/c/english/5.

Kind regards,
Regina

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