1.226 FAQ-991 How to add equations and special characters in Graph?Add-Equations-Characters-in-Graph
Last Update: 3/29/2023
Origin provides three ways to help user insert equation or special characters in Graph.
LaTeX Equation
To insert LaTeX equation in graph
- When a graph is active, click Insert Equation button
from the Tools toolbar.
- Click at the desired position on the graph. The LaTeX Equation Editor will open allowing you to select a built-in funtion or enter your equation in the edit box and preview the rendered equation in the bottom panel.
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You can also insert LaTeX equation in axis title, legend, or any text objects:
- Double click on the text object to enter in-place edit mode.
- Right click and select Insert: LaTeX Equation from context menu, or press Ctrl + L to open the LaTeX Equation Editor.
To insert LaTeX equation to workbook cell
You can insert LaTeX equations to worksheet metadata area (e.g. Long Name, Units, Comments, etc.) and data area,
- Click desired worksheet cell and select Insert LaTeX button
on the pop-up mini toolbar. This will insert a LaTeX equation enclosed by a \q() escape sequence.
- If you also want the LaTex equation to be shown in workbook, select the column label row and set Data Style to Rich Text
Note: LaTeX equation inserted into worksheet column label rows (e.g. Long Name, Units and Comment) will be auto-rendered in axis title and legend.
To insert LaTeX equation to Notes window
- Double click in the Notes window to switch to Origin Rich Text syntax.
- Right click and select Insert: LaTeX Equation from context menu.
Insert Equation Tool
How to use the Insert Equation App
- Click Insert Object button
on the Tools toolbar.
- In the Insert Object dialog that opens, select MathType Equation from the Object Type list and click OK button.
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OR,
- Set system variable @MKX = 1 and @IEE = -1. See this FAQ of how to change the value of system variable.
- With a graph active, click Insert Equation button
from the Tools toolbar
- Click NO when you saw the dialog.
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- Edit equations with MathType or Equation Editor dialog
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 | To use the tool, you need to install the corresponding software/plug-in in advance
MathType (Not free)
or
Microsoft Equation Editor(Not available if you installed January 2018 Office Update (PU))
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Text Tool with Unicode Support
How to add equations or special characters with text tool
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Which font should be used for math equations
For simple equations, we can use text tool with math font. Usually we recommend following three popular math font
- Times New Roman (Same font as MathType and some Tex tool)
- Cambria Math (Same font as Equations in Microsoft Office)
- Latin Modern Math (Same font as some Tex Tool)
Time New Roman (Italic)
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Cambria Math (Italic)
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Latin Modern Math (Italic)
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How can I find the unicode of special characters I need
- Method 1: Refer to other Unicode Webpage
- Browser webpage for unicode reference, such as the one below
- https://unicode-table.com/en
- Search the character you want such as keywords as combining dot
 | Combining characters can work together with other character to create special character.
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- Method 2: Use Windows App - Character Map
- Search and Open the Window App: Character Map
- Choose the Font such as Times New Roman and Character Set as Unicode
- Set Group by = Unicode Subrange
- Choose desired subrange and find the symbol you want.
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Keywords:Unicode, ALT+X, Greek, ASCII, Extended ASCII, ANSI, mu, pi, delta, alpha, beta, epsilon, lambda, degrees, superscript, subscript, extended character, escape sequence, overline, tilde, dot, rich text, angstrom, math, umlaut, worksheet header, column label, legend
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