NVDA and MathType

[Liz Holmes]

Hello,

Since updating NVDA (to 2025.1.2) we seem to have lost the ability for NVDA to read equations written in MathType via MathPlayer. We are using MathType 7.8.2.441.

Any ideas where we're going wrong?

Thank you,

Liz (currently working with a blind student doing GCSE Maths and Further Maths).

Advisory Teacher (VI)

[kers...@montana.com]

Hello,

 

Have you tried the MathCAT addin? I am using MathCAT and have a great MathML reading experience. I have stopped using MathType and use the native math support in word.

 

I also have a backup machine running the beta insider build that is showing excellent results with math in Word. The current release on my main machine is showing some problems, which are fixed in the beta.

 

Best

George

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[Oriol Gómez]

Hi,

Have you tried to Microsoft Office and Gogole Docs Addon/Add-in?

Hth.

[Derek Riemer]

> Have you tried to Microsoft Office and Gogole Docs Addon/Add-in?

Can you clarify for the user what the addon is called, and where to get it? Also, how it helps with mathtype support, as I believe that so long as mathtype is installed, it's natively supported.

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[Oriol Gómez]

Hi,

The Add-in for MT is independent from mathtype 7, it works more like a web app. It can convert mt7 equations though.

IT does have some qwirks but it's more usable than mt7 itself.

I haven't used it in over 2 years though, hopefully nothing  has changed.

I believe it's this one.

https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/product/office/wa104381909?tab=overview

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CADvgMs-cQHYbB2Pd1tk0bgymqzX1Bcf9v8VN6-d%3DgBLwEiRzgA%40mail.gmail.com.

[kers...@montana.com]

Hi,

 

The WordToEPUB add-in for Word is freely available from:

https://daisy.org/activities/software/wordtoepub/

 

This will convert Word’s internal math objects to MathML and export to HTML or EPUB. It does not rely on MathType.

 

I copy and paste MathML form HTML pages and EPUB titles into Word. I also use the linear input mode which  can use LaTex or Unicode characters, e.g.,\sqrt will produce the square root symbol.

 

I use this all the time to convert Word documents to EPUB and HTML. There is also a EPUB to Word feature that gets installed.

 

Best

George

 

 

Best

George

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAEW4DcADM5mHt9yqaDFf98Cq722qLeS51b3giictx33JsnMS5g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Noelia]

Hello:

Also, I think it may be useful to quote a releted section of the user guide, from NVDA 2025.2beta2:

***

## Reading Mathematical Content {#ReadingMath}

NVDA can read and navigate mathematical content on the web and in other applications, providing access in both speech and braille.

However, in order for NVDA to read and interact with mathematical content, you will first need to install a Math component for NvDA.

There are several NVDA add-ons available in the NVDA Add-on Store that provide support for math, including the [MathCAT NVDA add-on](https://nsoiffer.github.io/MathCAT/) and [Access8Math](https://github.com/tsengwoody/Access8Math).

Please refer to the [Add-on Store section](#AddonsManager) to learn how to browse and install available add-ons in NVDA.

NVDA also can make use of the older [MathPlayer](https://info.wiris.com/mathplayer-info) software from Wiris if found on your system, though this software is no longer maintained.

### Supported math content {#SupportedMathContent}

With an appropriate math component installed, NVDA supports the following types of mathematical content:

* MathML in Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Google Chrome.

* Microsoft Word 365 Modern Math Equations via UI automation:

NVDA is able to read and interact with math equations in Microsoft Word 365/2016 build 14326 and higher.

Note however that any previously created MathType equations must be first converted to Office Math.

This can be done by selecting each and choosing "Equation Options", then "Convert to Office Math" in the context menu.

Ensure your version of MathType is the latest version before doing this.

Microsoft Word provides linear symbol-based navigation through the equations itself and supports inputting math using several syntaxes, including LateX.

For further details, please see [Linear format equations using UnicodeMath and LaTeX in Word](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/linear-format-equations-using-unicodemath-and-latex-in-word-2e00618d-b1fd-49d8-8cb4-8d17f25754f8)

* Microsoft Powerpoint, and older versions of Microsoft Word:

NVDA can read and navigate MathType equations in both Microsoft Powerpoint and Microsoft word.

MathType needs to be installed in order for this to work.

The trial version is sufficient.

It can be downloaded from the [MathType presentation page](https://www.wiris.com/en/mathtype/).

* Adobe Reader:

Note that this is not an official standard yet, so there is currently no publicly available software that can produce this content.

* Kindle Reader for PC:

NVDA can read and navigate Math in Kindle for PC for books with accessible math.

When reading a document, NVDA will speak any supported mathematical content where it occurs.

If you are using a braille display, it will also be displayed in braille.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/00a101dbf08d%242ab8a300%248029e900%24%40montana.com.

[Liz Holmes]

I'd love to know more. Thank you, Oriol.

Liz

[kers...@montana.com]

MathCAT is alive and well in NVDA, integrated into Jaws, EasyReader, and in other applications.

 

Best

George

 

From: Liz Holmes <lizmho...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2025 7:32 AM
To: NVDA Screen Reader Discussion <nvda-...@nvaccess.org>
Cc: kers...@montana.com <kers...@montana.com>
Subject: Re: [NVDA] NVDA and MathType

 

Thanks George. I'd heard that MathCat was no longer supported - is this incorrect?

Liz

[kers...@montana.com]

Hello,

 

WordTo EPUB can convert the document to EPUB or HTML, the default is EPUB. You then use an EPUB reading system like Thorium on Windows to read the EPUB. In the case of HTML, you use a browser. The math in the Word is converted to MathML, which MathCAT reads perfectly.

 

Best

George

 

 

From: Liz Holmes <lizmho...@gmail.com>

Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2025 7:28 AM
To: NVDA Screen Reader Discussion <nvda-...@nvaccess.org>
Cc: kers...@montana.com <kers...@montana.com>

Subject: Re: [NVDA] NVDA and MathType

 

This is really interesting. Thank you. Once converted, does this then get read by NVDA?

Liz

[Derek Riemer]

Can you give me exact instructions for how you set up mathplayer, and the access 8 math thing? I recommend mathcat over anything else, it's quite and actively maintained by someone who really knows a lot about math accessibility. advanced.

On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 7:27 AM Liz Holmes <lizmho...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks Derek. We have MathPlayer and Access8 as Add-ons but still no success.

[Liz Holmes]

Thanks George. I'd heard that MathCat was no longer supported - is this incorrect?

Liz

On Tuesday, 8 July 2025 at 17:22:09 UTC+1 kers...@montana.com wrote:

[Liz Holmes]

Thanks Derek. We have MathPlayer and Access8 as Add-ons but still no success.

On Wednesday, 9 July 2025 at 02:10:51 UTC+1 Derek Riemer wrote:

[Liz Holmes]

This is really interesting. Thank you. Once converted, does this then get read by NVDA?

Liz

On Wednesday, 9 July 2025 at 05:51:45 UTC+1 kers...@montana.com wrote:

[Oriol Gómez]

Hi,

The Add-in for Microsoft Word is independent from MathType 7. It has a different equation editor, and it's supposed to be more accessible (I haven't tested the new version of their editor).

You should be able to read equations in Word documents from that Add-in though it might read the MathML at the end, such is the nature of alt text in images.

You don't need MathPlayer or MathType in this case.

I know it's not ideal, I used to work for Wiris a few years ago and we were figuring out solutions to this problem, though nothing concrete had been implemented yet. I'm still in touch with them so I can relay stuff, though I'm not sure how high of a priority this would be. I know they still care about accessibility, this much I'm aware.

Hth.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/7a446c27-ba55-465a-a0b6-8370c1443acan%40nvaccess.org.

[Derek Riemer]

I'm replying on my phone so this could be a little choppy. Please bear with me. Please go to the tools menu in nvda. Then, look for the the tool that fixes your installation, it used to be called com registration fixing tool, but I believe it got renamed and I don't remember to exactly what. Try running this tool and it may fix whatever broke math player or math type. Let me know if this helps. Sorry, without exact instructions it's kind of hard to pin down what could be going wrong exactly. If you can record audio of the issue occurring and the steps you took when installing that could really help. If you simply updated your installation and it broke, this is the first thing we should try to fix it running the tool built into nvda for fixing things. Otherwise we're going to have to do some more advanced debugging.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAEW4DcDRi1Pr4%2B3UAVCWM%2Bt2h4RMKs2Ge_usUzcv62mqzgUc2A%40mail.gmail.com.