Working with Math Equations (CL Edu)

Getting Started with Documents that Contain Math

1. After Loading the file in CommonLook Edu, choose “Math” for the "Document contains math content,”  When asked to provide additional details.  This will enable CL Edu to detect math content in the document.  
   
2. If your output is going to be a Reflowed, Large Print Accessible Word file, use the slider to choose whether to use OfficeMath or MathType.
   Note: If “OfficeMath” is not set to “Yes,” the output will use MathType.
   Tip: OfficeMath may provide a better end-user experience when using Read Aloud in Word. MathType may provide a better end-user experience when using other readers.
   
3. If your accessible output will be Braille, in the “Additional Details” section of the “Choose your accessible format” screen, you’ll have the option to “Use Nemeth Code.”
   Note: This option will be turned on, automatically, in documents where the Subject was set to “Math.” In other documents, it can be toggled on if needed.
   

What CL Edu does with Math

Note:  The information below only applies when the source file is a PDF.

When CL Edu detects math in the PDF document, it’ll put it in an Equation container. As shown in the screenshot below, if the math is on its own line, in the page view, it’ll be put in an “Equation” container, indicated by an “Eq.”  If the math is inline with other content, like in a paragraph, it will show as an “inline element,” as indicated by the “i,” in its “parent” container.  

When an Equation is placed inline, opening the “parent” container will show the Equation container, indicated with the “Sum” symbol. 

Note:  PDF input to accessible Word output

If you’re converting a PDF to reflowed, large-print accessible Word, images of formulas and equations will be converted to either “OfficeMath” or “MathType,” object depending on the option you chose when providing “Additional Details.”  As a result, in the Word output, you would then be able to further edit the equations if needed.  (Note:  To edit MathType, in Word, you need to have the MathType client installed.)

Equation Descriptions

Math or Equation descriptions, in natural language, are often necessary when creating accessible documents with math content.  In a PDF output, for example, the math equation will be placed in a Formula tag, and the “Equation description” will be used as the Alternative text for the Formula tag.  In an E-text output, the “Equation description” will take the place of the equation.    

When CL Edu detects an equation in the PDF, in addition to creating the Equation container, it will automatically create the “Equation description.”  One way to easily view it is to hover your mouse over the Equation container. 

Great Feature: If you need to resize an Equation container, CL Edu automatically updates the “Equation description” as needed! 

Editing Equation Descriptions

1. Click on the Equation container.  (If it’s inline, you will have to select the “parent” container, choose “Edit Inline,” and then click on the Equation container. Alternatively, you could also click the “i” symbol to access the toolbar with functions for inline elements.)
2. With the Equation container selected, click on the “Equation” button in the toolbar (or, in the “child toolbar” if the equation is inline).
3. On the right side of the interface, below the buttons for “Page Elements” and “Reading Order,” you’ll find the “Equation description” dialog box.  Verify and edit, if needed, the “Equation description,” here. 
4. When you’re done making any edits, click “Save.”  
   

Equations as inline content 

If you have equations that are included in a list or a table, for example, then you’ll need to make sure that the “parent container” (list, table, text paragraph, etc.) is structured correctly in addition to checking your equations.  The screenshot below shows a list that contains one equation for each of its four list items. 

Make sure the List container, the List Items, and the Item Labels, are all structured correctly.  Refer to the articles on Lists in the CommonLook PDF Simplified Editor, as needed.

After verifying that the List container is correct, when you choose “Edit Inline,” you’ll be able to see the Equation containers for the equations in the list. 

Select each Equation, click the “Equation” button in the toolbar, and verify, provide, or edit the “Equation description” as needed.  Remember to hit “Save.” 

Important Note:  If you delete a “parent” container, such as a List, that has inline equations inside it, a dialog box will open telling you that the container has inline equation elements.  It will also ask you whether or not you want to keep those inline elements.  Choose “No,” create the new “parent” container as needed, then open the new “parent” container and create the new “inline” Equation container(s) as needed.  

Notes based on accessible output

If you are generating:

1. An accessible PDF, the equations will be placed in Formula tags.  The “equation description,” in CL Edu, will become the Alt text for the Formula tags.
2. An accessible, large-print Word file, the equations will be created in OfficeMath or MathType objects, based on the settings that were selected in the first steps.
3. E-text, the “equation description” will be used as the text for the equations.
4. Braille, math equations are presented in UEB braille code with Nemeth.