2021. 01. 20.

Math equation formats – iTecTec

Math equation formats

equations file format openoffice

I need to store equations in a text file, in a source format that can be converted to
something that can be rendered (e.g. mathML). I like the format used in OpenOffice. I
don't want to use TeX, or at least I don't want to pull in all the baggage of interpreting
TeX. What format does OpenOffice Equation Editor use, and are there 3rd party
command-line converters that will process this format? I don't want to have to run
OpenOffice every time I need to render/convert my equations.

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 Best Answer
What format does OpenOffice Equation Editor use?

LibreOffice Math (and OpenOffice Math) both use MathML to represent mathematical
markup.

Just save any equation using Math and simply unpack it (it is ZIP packed). For example if
you create famous [E=mc²] and save it, then in content.xml inside your .odt file you will
find something like this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">
<semantics>
<mfenced open="[" close="]"><mrow>
<mi>E</mi><mo stretchy="false">=</mo><msup><mi
mathvariant="italic">mc</mi><mn>2</mn></msup>
</mrow></mfenced>
<annotation encoding="StarMath 5.0">left[ E=mc^2 right]</annotation>
</semantics>
</math>

As you see, Math stores equation in own format annotation section, but you can use
plain MathML as input format.

… command-line converters that will process this format

I believe, you can use Python API for Libre (Open) Office.

You can put your own equation in annotation (in StarMath's format). Looks like Math
builds equation based on how it is represented in annotation and the rest of MathML file
is just for representation/compatibility.

If MathML doesn't look like made from StartMath it will propose to "repair" the file and it
will work just fine after this.

https://itectec.com/superuser/math-equation-formats/ 1/1