Equation editing in Word 2007 is a new feature (no more Insert Object), but it needs some serious work before it’ll be OK to use. The first real problem I had with it was not being able to save my document as a .docx file when I added equations. I was editing an existing file, I added equations, hit save, and I got a save-as dialogue box (?!). I entered a new name, and eventually got an error message (?!?!?!). So, I saved the file as a Word 2003 document and the equations turned into ugly images (not editable any more).

OK, so I needed to keep adding equations to the file and I decided I’ll just save the document as a .docx, add equations, and potentially end up with images again. But, when I saved my .doc file as .docx, my original equations changed back from images into editable equations again (!?!?!?!??!?!?). Looking at Explorer, I now have a 2003 file with editable equations. Wheneven I hit save, I get this message:

However, the equations are still there!!! This level of unpredictability really worries me.

Other annoying “features”:

• You can’t delete an exponent only. You have to delete the whole expression (e.g. you can’t make a “z” from “z^-1″ without deleting the entire “z^-1″ and retyping “z”).
• If you want to delete an exponent, and realize that you’ll have to remove the entire expression, you may be tempted to first write down the new exponent-less expression or variable and then delete the one with the exponent. This won’t work. As you keep hitting delete Word will select the newly added variable. Thus, changing “z^-1″ to “zz^-1″ and then deleting the “z^-1″ part won’t work. You have to delete first, then add the new expression. Aggravating.
• If you want to add an equation in a new line, you can’t just hit “enter” while editing the equation. You have to click outside the equation.
• If you insert an exponent expression, or a bracket, the cursor is positioned outside the expression/bracket. Of course, if you inserted an exponent expression, you’re likely to be trying to enter something into this expression, e.g. the base! So now you have to click on the appropriate field and only then start typing. Wasteful.
• Word allows showing the sum operator limits below and above the operator. However, when I selected this option, the limits showed up next to the sum operator (top and bottom). When I later hit new line, the limits moved below and above the sum operator. I don’t exactly understand how to control this and that’s not good.

So, be careful if you have to add equations to a Word 2007 file and you use the built-in equation editor. It needs significant improvement. For another (perhaps a little angrier) look at Word 2007, read this post.

Andrew Kun

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