How to Export LaTeX to PDF in Confluence (Without Broken Formulas)
If you’ve ever tried to export LaTeX to PDF in Confluence, and instead of formulas got something like “formula rendering error”, you’ve probably faced the same issue many people in the Atlassian Community report:
“The app displays formulas correctly on pages, but it doesn’t support LaTeX PDF export in Confluence.”
This guide explains exactly why it happens on Confluence Cloud, which LaTeX apps support reliable PDF export, and how to export your pages with the built-in Confluence exporter or Scroll Exporter apps — including how to migrate from a LaTeX app that doesn’t support PDF export.
Why LaTeX formulas break during PDF export in Confluence Cloud
Most users assume that exporting a Confluence page to PDF is essentially the same as printing what’s on the screen. If the formula renders correctly in the browser, surely it should render correctly in the exported document.
But Confluence Cloud doesn’t work that way.
When you export a page to PDF, Confluence doesn’t take a visual snapshot of the browser view. Instead, the system re-renders the entire content in a separate export pipeline. If the LaTeX app you use isn’t built to plug into that pipeline, the formula macros are either replaced with an error placeholder or skipped.
That’s why the root cause is rarely LaTeX syntax or your formula. It’s almost always that the LaTeX app you have installed wasn’t designed with the Cloud export pipeline in mind.
A simple way to export LaTeX to PDF in Confluence
When looking for apps that can render formulas in Confluence, pick the one that works well with Confluence Cloud and supports exporting LaTeX formulas to PDF.
One of them is the LaTeX Math for Confluence app. It is built on Atlassian Forge, which means it runs directly on Atlassian’s infrastructure, uses native Atlassian components for a smooth experience, and is fully compatible with Confluence Cloud.
The app supports not only PDF export, which works in Confluence by default, but also PDF, Word, and HTML export via third-party apps: Scroll PDF Exporter, Scroll Word Exporter, and Scroll HTML Exporter for Confluence.
How to Export LaTeX from Confluence to PDF
Let’s have a quick look at how to export LaTeX formulas from Confluence to PDF with the LaTeX Math for Confluence app. (Spoiler: it’s actually very simple.)
Step 1: Add your LaTeX formula
After installing LaTeX Math for Confluence from the Atlassian Marketplace:
- Open the Confluence page where you want the formula
- Type /latex and select the macro you need:
- LaTeX Inline Formulas — for equations within a sentence
- LaTeX Block Formulas — for standalone equations
- Enter your LaTeX code in the modal editor
- Save — your formula renders instantly on the page
Need help with syntax? See how to write LaTeX equations in Confluence.
Step 2: Export using Confluence’s built-in PDF exporter
- Open the page containing your LaTeX formulas
- Click the More actions menu (three dots, top-right)
- Select Export → Export to PDF
- Download the file
That’s it. All LaTeX formulas appear in the exported PDF exactly as they do on the page.
Step 2 (alternative): Export LaTeX with Scroll PDF, Word, or HTML Exporter
If your team uses Scroll PDF Exporter or Scroll Word Exporter, by K15t for advanced templates, LaTeX Math for Confluence works with them out of the box:
- Open the page with your formulas
- Click the More actions menu → Apps
- Select one of:
- Export with Scroll PDF Exporter
- Export with Scroll Word Exporter
- Export with Scroll HTML Exporter
- Configure your export settings and run
All LaTeX equations are preserved in the resulting PDF, Word, or HTML document.
Migrating from another LaTeX app that doesn’t export to PDF
If you currently have a LaTeX app installed that fails on PDF export, you don’t have to rewrite your formulas to switch. LaTeX Math for Confluence supports migration of equations from other LaTeX apps for the most common formula types — our team helps with the transfer to ensure your specific setup works as expected.
The high-level flow:
- Install LaTeX Math for Confluence from the Marketplace (30-day free trial, no credit card)
- Follow our documentation or contact our team — we’ll walk you through the migration of your existing equations
- Verify that a few sample pages export correctly to PDF
- Uninstall the previous app
The most common reason teams switch is exactly the one this article opens with: PDF export not working on Cloud.
Final Thoughts
Exporting LaTeX to PDF in Confluence Cloud isn’t difficult — it just requires a LaTeX app that was actually built for the Cloud export pipeline. If your current app fails on export, it’s almost always a Cloud architecture limitation, not a problem with your formulas.
LaTeX Math for Confluence is built on Atlassian Forge specifically for Confluence Cloud, supports the built-in PDF exporter and Scroll Exporter apps, and includes a migration path from other LaTeX apps.
Start your 30-day free trial, and no longer worry about the “it worked on the page but disappeared in the PDF” scenario. Or contact our team if you’re migrating from another LaTeX app and want to walk through the equation transfer with us.
More guides on LaTeX in Confluence
If you are just getting started with LaTeX in Confluence, here are some guides that will help you avoid the most common mistakes:
- How to Choose a Secure App for LaTeX Formulas in Confluence
- How to Fix LaTeX Formula Size in Confluence
- How to Add Inline LaTeX Formulas in Confluence
- How to Write Math Equations in Confluence
FAQ
Does Confluence Cloud support LaTeX export to PDF natively?
Confluence Cloud has a built-in PDF export, but it doesn’t render LaTeX — you need a LaTeX app installed. The app must be designed to support PDF export, like LaTeX Math for Confluence by Stiltsoft. Not every LaTeX app on the Marketplace does this.
Why do my LaTeX formulas work on the Confluence page but not in the exported PDF?
Confluence Cloud re-renders the page during export rather than capturing the browser view. If the LaTeX app you’re using only renders formulas in the browser (client-side) and doesn’t support the exporting process, the export falls back to error placeholders or just skips formulas.
How can I export LaTeX from Confluence to Word, not just PDF?
Exporting LaTeX from Confluence Cloud to Word is available with the Scroll Word Exporter app by K15t, combined with LaTeX Math for Confluence.
Will switching LaTeX apps break my existing formulas?
If you use a LaTeX app with automated migration (like LaTeX Math for Confluence), equations transfer without manual rework. Without an automated migration tool, you’d need to rewrite each formula in the new app’s macro — manageable for 10 pages, painful for 100+.
Does LaTeX Math for Confluence support chemistry equations in exported PDFs?
Yes. Chemistry notation via the mhchem package is supported both on the page and in PDF export. This is useful for biotech, pharmaceutical, and chemistry teams documenting reactions, structures, and equilibria.
