How to Write LaTeX Math Equations in Google Docs™, Slides™, and Sheets™
The built-in Docs™ equation tool is clunky — and Slides™ and Sheets™ have nothing at all. Here's how to write LaTeX once and insert crisp, re-editable equations in all three, with chemistry notation and equation numbering included.
Travis
Google Docs™ has a basic equation tool, but it doesn't speak LaTeX — and Google Slides™ and Sheets™ have no equation editor at all. The free Text To Table Converter add-on fixes all three at once: write LaTeX, see a live preview, and insert a crisp rendered equation that stays editable because its LaTeX source travels with it.
If you already think in LaTeX — or you're pasting formulas from a paper, ChatGPT, or lecture notes that are written in it — clicking symbols together in the built-in Docs™ equation toolbar feels like typing with mittens on. And the moment you switch to Slides™ for a lesson deck or Sheets™ for a worksheet, even that option disappears.
The add-on's Equations (LaTeX) tools work the same way in Google Docs™, Slides™, and Sheets™: LaTeX in, a clean high-resolution equation image out. The source is stored with the equation, so you can reopen and change it any time instead of re-typing it.
Quick Equation: The Fast Path in the Sidebar
Open the sidebar (Extensions > Text To Table Converter > Open Sidebar) and expand Equations (LaTeX). Type LaTeX, watch the live preview, choose Inline or Block style, and hit Insert.
The 🕒 icon keeps your last five equations one click away — handy when a worksheet reuses the same expression with small variations.
Re-Edit Any Equation Later
Select an equation you inserted earlier and the sidebar switches to edit mode: the original LaTeX loads back into the editor, and Insert becomes Apply Changes.
There's also a one-click Convert LaTeX Selection toggle: select LaTeX text in your document to render it as an equation, or select a rendered equation to turn it back into editable LaTeX text.
The Advanced Equation Editor
For longer derivations, open the full editor via Extensions > Text To Table Converter > Equations (LaTeX) > LaTeX Equation Editor. It adds a virtual symbol keyboard, a raw LaTeX code view, and a target height setting so every equation in your document renders at a consistent size.
It can also work in reverse: select an equation image — even one that didn't come from the add-on — and the editor recognizes it and extracts editable LaTeX from it.
Docs™-Only Extras for Block Equations
In Google Docs™, block equations get textbook features the other editors can't offer:
- Center Equation lays the equation out properly on its own line.
- Equation Number adds numbering like (1), with configurable alignment and format.
- Bookmark creates a Docs™ bookmark so you can cross-reference the equation from anywhere in the document.
Copy-Paste Examples to Get Started
The quadratic formula:
x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}A balanced chemical equation — chemistry notation via mhchem is supported:
\ce{CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O}The normal distribution density:
f(x) = \frac{1}{\sigma\sqrt{2\pi}} e^{-\frac{(x-\mu)^2}{2\sigma^2}}Rendered, they come out sharp enough for print:
For a deeper reference, see the Quick Equation guide and the Equation Editor guide in our documentation.
Related Reading
- Using Markdown in Google Docs™ and Slides™ - The other plain-text superpower Docs™ understands.
Get the Add-On
One add-on, and all three editors — Docs™, Slides™, and Sheets™ — speak LaTeX.
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Text To Table Converter
Write LaTeX equations for free: Use the free Text To Table Converter add-on to insert and re-edit crisp LaTeX equations in Google Docs™, Slides™, and Sheets™.