Export Math Equations from Presentations in Python

Introduction

Aspose.Slides for Python via .NET allows you to export math equations from presentations. For example, you may need to extract equations from specific slides and reuse them in another program or platform.

You can export equations to MathML, a widely used standard for representing mathematical content on the web and in many applications.

Save Math Equations as MathML

Although humans can easily write LaTeX, MathML is typically generated automatically by applications. Because MathML is XML-based, programs can read and parse it reliably, so it is commonly used as an output and printing format across many fields.

The following sample code shows how to export a math equation from a presentation to MathML:

import aspose.slides as slides
import aspose.slides.mathtext as math

with slides.Presentation() as presentation:
    slide = presentation.slides[0]

    auto_shape = slide.shapes.add_math_shape(0, 0, 500, 50)
    math_paragraph = auto_shape.text_frame.paragraphs[0].portions[0].math_paragraph

    math_paragraph.add(
        math.MathematicalText("a").
            set_superscript("2").
            join("+").
            join(math.MathematicalText("b").set_superscript("2")).
            join("=").
            join(math.MathematicalText("c").set_superscript("2")))

    with open("mathml.xml", "wb") as file_stream:
        math_paragraph.write_as_math_ml(file_stream)

FAQ

What exactly is exported to MathML—a paragraph or an individual formula block?

You can export either an entire math paragraph (MathParagraph) or an individual block (MathBlock) to MathML. Both types provide a method to write to MathML.

How can I tell that an object on a slide is a math formula rather than regular text or an image?

A formula lives in a MathPortion and has a MathParagraph. Images and regular text portions without a MathParagraph are not exportable formulas.

Where does the MathML come from in a presentation—is it PowerPoint-specific or a standard?

The export targets standard MathML (XML). Aspose uses Presentation MathML—the presentation subset of the standard—which is widely used across applications and the web.

Is exporting formulas inside tables, SmartArt, groups, etc., supported?

Yes, if those objects contain text portions with a MathParagraph (i.e., genuine PowerPoint formulas), they are exported. If a formula is embedded as an image, it is not.

Does exporting to MathML modify the original presentation?

No. Writing MathML is a serialization of the formula’s content; it does not modify the presentation file.