Re: [libreoffice-users] LibreOffice MathML workflows

Hi Regina,

Thank you very much for the prompt reply - this is indeed very helpful. I
was also testing with v25.2, but on Ubuntu.

Most importantly, it appears there are good workflows for MathML
interoperability that are in active use. That is great to see.
I will do some more reading of the resources you referenced, and some more
experimenting, but am already encouraged!

Greetings,
Deyan


On Thu, Aug 14, 2025 at 5:48 PM Regina Henschel <rb.henschel@t-online.de>
wrote:

> 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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