LibreOffice Math Formula Syntax Rules

LibreOffice Math uses a dedicated markup language to convert plain-text commands into formatted mathematical expressions. Writing formulas in LibreOffice Math relies on a specific set of syntax rules covering token separation, grouping, operators, brackets, and literal text formatting. Understanding these fundamental rules ensures formulas render accurately across LibreOffice applications such as Writer, Calc, and Impress.

Whitespace and Grouping

LibreOffice Math ignores regular spaces, tabs, and line breaks within the code pane when rendering the visual formula. Spaces are solely used to separate distinct tokens, commands, and variable names.

• Explicit Spacing: To add visible spacing between elements in a formula, use the grave accent (`) for a small space or a tilde (~) for a large space.
• Grouping Braces: Curly brackets {} define logical groups and enforce order of operations without appearing in the final rendered formula. For example, x^{a + b} renders \(a + b\) as a unified superscript, whereas x^a + b only places \(a\) in the superscript.

Case Sensitivity and Identifiers

• Keywords: Built-in keywords, operators, and commands are case-insensitive. For example, SQRT(x), sqrt(x), and Sqrt(x) produce the identical square root symbol.
• Variables and Characters: Variables are rendered in italics by default and preserve their casing. Entering x and X will display distinct lowercase and uppercase italicized symbols.

Basic Operators and Structures

Math provides straightforward keywords for common mathematical operations:

• Fractions: The over operator creates standard vertical fractions: {numerator} over {denominator}.
• Subscripts and Superscripts: The underscore _ generates subscripts, while the caret ^ generates superscripts: a_i^2.
• Roots: The sqrt keyword generates square roots (sqrt{x}), while nroot n x creates the \(n\)-th root of an expression.
• Multiplication and Division: Use cdot for a multiplication dot, times for a multiplication cross, and div for a division symbol.

Brackets and Delimiters

Parentheses () and square brackets [] typed directly into the code pane render static, fixed-size delimiters.

• Scalable Brackets: To make brackets automatically scale to the height of the enclosed expression (such as fractions or matrices), prepend them with left and right. For example: left( {a over b} right).
• Mismatched or Open Brackets: Every left keyword must have a corresponding right keyword. If a bracket is only needed on one side, use the none keyword on the opposite side: left[ {a over b} right none.
• Literal Curly Brackets: Because {} are reserved for grouping, literal visible curly braces must be written using lbrace and rbrace, or escaped as \{ and \}.

Special Characters and Greek Letters

Greek letters and special symbols require a percent sign (%) prefix:

• Lowercase Greek: %alpha, %beta, %pi, %theta.
• Uppercase Greek: %ALPHA, %BETA, %PI, %THETA.
• Special Symbols: %infinity for \(\infty\), %tendto for an arrow \(\to\), and partial for partial derivatives.

Literal Text, Alignment, and Line Breaks

• Text Strings: Any word not recognized as a command is treated as a variable and italicized. To display standard upright text, enclose the string in double quotes: "Total" = x + y.
• Line Breaks: Standard line breaks inside the editor do not split the rendered formula. To force a new line within an equation, use the newline command.
• Alignment: By default, multi-line formulas are center-aligned. Line alignment can be modified globally using alignl (left alignment), alignc (center alignment), or alignr (right alignment) at the start of a line.