Add Math Equations to PowerPoint Presentations in PHP

Overview

PowerPoint stores equations as Office Math Markup Language (OMML). With Aspose.Slides for PHP via Java, you can create the same kind of math content programmatically: fractions, radicals, functions, limits, N-ary operators, matrices, arrays, and formatted math blocks.

In PowerPoint, users normally add equations from Insert > Equation:

$PowerPoint Insert tab with the Equation command selected$

The result is editable math text on the slide:

$A PowerPoint slide containing an editable math equation$

Aspose.Slides builds that math text through three main objects:

A math shape, created with addMathShape, is the shape that contains the equation.
MathPortion stores math content inside the shape text frame.
MathParagraph contains one or more MathBlock objects.

Most examples below use MathematicalText and the fluent methods from MathElementBase to keep the code short and readable.

For MathML export scenarios, see Export Math Equations from Presentations in PHP via Java.

Create an Equation

This example creates a math shape and adds the Pythagorean theorem:

$The equation c squared equals a squared plus b squared$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 120);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $equation = (new MathematicalText("c"))
        ->setSuperscript("2")
        ->join("=")
        ->join((new MathematicalText("a"))->setSuperscript("2"))
        ->join("+")
        ->join((new MathematicalText("b"))->setSuperscript("2"));

    $mathParagraph->add($equation);

    $presentation->save("pythagorean-theorem.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

addMathShape creates a shape that already contains a math paragraph. Access the first MathPortion, get its MathParagraph, and add math blocks or math elements to it.

Add Fractions

Use divide to create a fraction. You can choose a fraction style with MathFractionTypes.

$A skewed math fraction showing one divided by x$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 100);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $fraction = (new MathematicalText("1"))
        ->divide("x", MathFractionTypes::Skewed);

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($fraction));

    $presentation->save("fraction.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

For a stacked fraction, use MathFractionTypes::Bar:

$stackedFraction = (new MathematicalText("x + 1"))->divide("y - 1", MathFractionTypes::Bar);

Add Radicals

Use radical to create a square root, cube root, or other root. The current element becomes the base, and the argument becomes the degree.

$An n-th root radical expression with x under the radical sign$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 100);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $radical = (new MathematicalText("x"))
        ->radical("n");

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($radical));

    $presentation->save("radical.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Add Functions and Limits

Use asArgumentOfFunction or function for functions such as sin(x), log(x), or custom function names. For limits, put lim in a MathLimit or use setLowerLimit.

$The limit of x as x approaches infinity$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 100);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $limit = (new MathematicalText("lim"))
        ->setLowerLimit("x\u{2192}\u{221E}")
        ->function("x");

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($limit));

    $presentation->save("functions-and-limits.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

For a custom function name, make the function name the current element:

$customFunction = (new MathematicalText("f"))->function("x + 1");

Add N-ary Operators and Integrals

Use nary for summations, unions, intersections, and other large operators. Use integral for integrals. Both methods let you set lower and upper limits.

$A summation with lower and upper limits$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 120);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $summationBase = (new MathematicalText("x"))
        ->setSuperscript("k")
        ->join((new MathematicalText("a"))->setSuperscript("n-k"));

    $summation = $summationBase->nary(MathNaryOperatorTypes::Summation, "k=0", "n");

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($summation));

    $presentation->save("nary-operators.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

N-ary operators are for large operators with optional limits. Simple operators such as +, -, and = are usually added as MathematicalText and joined into the expression.

For an integral, use integral:

$integralBase = (new MathematicalText("x"))->join((new MathematicalText("dx"))->toBox());
$integral = $integralBase->integral(MathIntegralTypes::Simple, "0", "1");

Add Matrices

Use MathMatrix for rows and columns. Matrices do not include brackets by default, so enclose the matrix when you need parentheses, brackets, or braces.

$A two-row math matrix with one empty cell$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 120);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $matrix = new MathMatrix(2, 3);
    $matrix->set_Item(0, 0, new MathematicalText("1"));
    $matrix->set_Item(0, 1, new MathematicalText("x"));
    $matrix->set_Item(1, 0, new MathematicalText("x"));
    $matrix->set_Item(1, 1, new MathematicalText("2"));
    $matrix->set_Item(1, 2, new MathematicalText("y"));

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($matrix));

    $presentation->save("matrix.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Add Equation Arrays

Use toMathArray when you need aligned equations or a vertical stack of expressions.

$A vertical math array with x above y$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 140);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $equationArray = (new MathematicalText("x"))
        ->join("y")
        ->toMathArray();

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($equationArray));

    $presentation->save("equation-array.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Add Trigonometric Functions

Use asArgumentOfFunction when the argument is the current element and the function name is known.

$The trigonometric function cos applied to 2x$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 100);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $cosine = (new MathematicalText("2x"))
        ->asArgumentOfFunction(MathFunctionsOfOneArgument::Cos);

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($cosine));

    $presentation->save("trigonometric-function.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Add Subscripts and Superscripts

Use the subscript and superscript helpers for indexes and powers. When the indexes must appear on the left side of the base, use setSubSuperscriptOnTheLeft.

$A capital Y with left-side subscript 1 and superscript n$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 100);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $scripts = (new MathematicalText("Y"))
        ->setSubSuperscriptOnTheLeft("1", "n");

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($scripts));

    $presentation->save("subscript-superscript.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Add Delimiters

Use enclose to put an expression inside delimiters. You can also set a separator character for delimiter expressions that contain several elements.

$A delimiter expression containing x, y, and z separated by vertical bars$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 100);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $delimiter = (new MathematicalText("x"))
        ->join("y")
        ->join("z")
        ->enclose(new Java("java.lang.Character", "<"), new Java("java.lang.Character", ">"));
    $delimiter->setSeparatorCharacter(new Java("java.lang.Character", "|"));

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($delimiter));

    $presentation->save("delimiters.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Add a Border Box

Use toBorderBox when the equation itself should be framed.

$A boxed equation showing a squared equals b squared plus c squared$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 100);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $boxedEquation = (new MathematicalText("a"))
        ->setSuperscript("2")
        ->join("=")
        ->join((new MathematicalText("b"))->setSuperscript("2"))
        ->join("+")
        ->join((new MathematicalText("c"))->setSuperscript("2"))
        ->toBorderBox();

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($boxedEquation));

    $presentation->save("border-box.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Group Terms

Use group to place a grouping character above or below an expression. Add a limit to label the grouped terms.

$The expression x plus y grouped with the label any text below it$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 120);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $grouped = (new MathematicalText("x + y"))
        ->group(new Java("java.lang.Character", "\u{23DF}"), MathTopBotPositions::Bottom, MathTopBotPositions::Top)
        ->setLowerLimit("any text");

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($grouped));

    $presentation->save("grouped-terms.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Format Math Elements

Use formatting helpers only where they clarify the formula. For example, overbar places a bar above a math element.

$A math expression ABC with an overbar$

$presentation = new Presentation();
try {
    $slide = $presentation->getSlides()->get_Item(0);

    $mathShape = $slide->getShapes()->addMathShape(20, 20, 700, 100);
    $mathParagraph = $mathShape->getTextFrame()->getParagraphs()
        ->get_Item(0)->getPortions()->get_Item(0)->getMathParagraph();

    $overbar = (new MathematicalText("ABC"))->overbar();

    $mathParagraph->add(new MathBlock($overbar));

    $presentation->save("overbar.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
} finally {
    if (!java_is_null($presentation)) {
        $presentation->dispose();
    }
}

Quick Reference

Task	Main API
Create math text	MathematicalText
Combine elements	join
Create fractions	divide
Add superscript or subscript	setSuperscript, setSubscript
Add functions	function, asArgumentOfFunction
Add radicals	radical
Add limits	setLowerLimit, setUpperLimit
Add left-side scripts	setSubSuperscriptOnTheLeft
Add summations and integrals	nary, integral
Add matrices	MathMatrix
Add equation arrays	toMathArray
Add delimiters	enclose
Add bars and borders	overbar, toBorderBox
Group terms	group

FAQ

Can I edit an existing PowerPoint equation?

Yes. Open the presentation, find the shape that contains a MathPortion, get its MathParagraph, and update the math blocks in that paragraph.

Are equations saved as editable PowerPoint math?

Yes. When you save to PPTX, Aspose.Slides writes the equation as editable Office math content.

Can I export equations to LaTeX?

Aspose.Slides exports math equations to MathML. If you need LaTeX, export to MathML first and then convert MathML with a tool that supports your target LaTeX dialect.

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