How to Add LaTeX Math to Confluence in 60 Seconds
The easiest way to add mathematical formulas to documentation is by using LaTeX. However, as built-in support of LaTeX syntax is not available in Confluence, using formulas can be tricky and time-consuming. This is where on-prem tools can come in handy. In this article, we’ll show you how to insert formulas into your documentation in just a few clicks using the LaTeX Math for Confluence app and share some tips on aligning your equations with your documentation style.
LaTeX Math for Confluence is an on-prem solution that renders complex LaTeX math formulas and equations directly on Confluence pages. The app is developed by the creators of Table Filter, Charts, and Spreadsheets, with over 15k+ installs, and is hosted entirely on Atlassian infrastructure to enforce tenancy isolation and data egress restriction.
Step 1: Install the LaTeX Math for Confluence app
To start adding visually appealing formulas to Confluence pages, you’ll need to install the LaTeX Math for Confluence app from the Atlassian Marketplace.
How to Install:
- Go to the LaTeX Math for Confluence page.
- Click the Try it free button.
- Select your Confluence instance and click Start free trial.
That’s it. The app will be ready to use within a few seconds, and you can enjoy it for a month without any charges. No complex setups are required.
If you are not a Confluence admin, you can request that your administrator install it. To do this, follow the previous steps, but in this case, the Request app button will appear instead of Start free trial.
Step 2: Insert LaTeX in Confluence with a Few Clicks
After the app installation, go to your Confluence instance and open the page where you want to add math formulas. Depending on where within a text you’d like to display formulas, you can choose between two macros:
LaTeX Inline Formulas macro
The inline macro allows you to add an equation on the same line as any other text, so it appears within the paragraph. It’s perfect for adding small formulas to your sentences. Here’s what it looks like on a Confluence page:
To add this macro to a Confluence page, type the /latex shortcut and choose LaTeX Inline Formulas. Another way is to click the + icon in the page toolbar, search for ‘latex,’ and select the inline macro.
LaTeX Block Formulas macro
The LaTeX Block Formulas macro adds math equations as a separate block on their own line. This option is excellent for complex formulas, like matrices or multi-step calculations. Here’s an example of the Confluence page with block formulas:
To add this macro, follow the steps described for the Inline macro, but instead of LaTeX Inline Formulas, select LaTeX Block Formulas.
Once you have selected a macro, you can type a formula using LaTeX syntax and see a live preview of how it will look on your Confluence page.
Tip: You can use the built-in keyboard with the most popular symbols to enter formulas quickly.
Step 3: Add styling to your LaTeX math equations
The LaTeX Math app allows you to use custom styling to make your equations stand out on the pages. You can change the color of formulas, add a background, or highlight parts of the equation to keep your documentation clear and well-structured, no matter how complex the formulas are.
For more details, visit our documentation on how to add custom formatting.
Why choose LaTeX Math for Confluence?
- Accuracy: Render equations exactly as you type them using LaTeX syntax without worrying about low-quality images or broken formatting.
- Customization: Adjust your formulas’ formatting to fit the style of your documentation.
- Collaboration: Share visually appealing math formulas that your team can easily understand or update.
- Security: Control how and when data leaves Atlassian Cloud, as the app is built with Forge and fully hosted on Atlassian infrastructure
Using the LaTeX macro, you can transform your Confluence pages into math-friendly documentation in just a few clicks, and don’t worry about sharing your data with third-party services.
👉 Try LaTeX Math for Confluence for free, and simplify how you create, update, and manage formulas and equations in Confluence.
