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Equations (LaTeX)Google Workspace add-on

Convert LaTeX Selection

Convert selected LaTeX text into rendered equation images, or images back into code, in Google Docs™, Slides™, and Sheets™.

With the Text To Table Converter Add-On, the Convert selected LaTeX button is a shortcut for Google Docs™, Google Slides™, and Google Sheets™. It turns selected LaTeX code into rendered equation images in one click, and turns equation images back into code.

Accessing Convert Selection#

  • Sidebar: Open the sidebar with Extensions > Text To Table Converter > ⚡ Launch Sidebar. Go to Insert & Create, find the Equations (LaTeX) group, and click Convert selected LaTeX.
  • Menu: Extensions > Text To Table Converter > Equations (LaTeX) > LaTeX Convert Selection.

How It Works#

It has two functions, depending on what you have selected in your document.

Converting LaTeX Code to an Image#

Use this when you have typed or pasted LaTeX code and want to see it as a formatted equation.

  1. Select the LaTeX text in your document (for example $$E=mc^2$$). You can select several equations at once.
  2. Click Convert selected LaTeX.
  3. Every equation in the selection is converted in one go and replaced by a rendered image.

If some LaTeX is invalid, the add-on skips it and shows a message with the number of skipped equations. The rest still convert.

The conversion uses your defaults from Settings, such as the delimiters and image height.

Selected text without LaTeX markers#

If the selection has no LaTeX markers, the add-on falls back to AI extraction. It reads plain-language math, such as "x squared plus 2x", and writes it as LaTeX. This fallback counts as one AI request.

Converting an Equation Image Back to Code#

  1. Select the equation image in your document.
  2. Click Convert selected LaTeX.
  3. The image is replaced by its LaTeX source code.

How does it work?: When an equation image is created, its LaTeX source code is stored in the image's "Alternative Text." Convert Selection reads that data to restore the code exactly.

Choosing the Right Tool#

Convert Selection is for quick toggling. For other tasks, use the more specialized tools.

  • Quick Insert & Edit - For creating new equations or making edits to existing code with a live preview.