Our last update on the subject of eXtyles, Word, and math was posted in April of 2008 (http://www.inera.com/word2007update.shtml). Since then, most Windows users and publishing operations have upgraded to Word 2007 or Word 2010, so we're revisiting our previous recommendations.

In April 2009, Microsoft released Word 2007 SP2. This service pack included a major rewrite of their transform from Equation Builder (OMML format) to MathML. The MathML results of this transform were greatly improved over the previous version. Further changes were made to the transform for Word 2010.

While the transform is now far better than it was, we have ongoing concerns about use of Equation Builder math in an XML publishing workflow. Our concerns arise from these issues:

1. Microsoft still has not provided a method to create EPS or GIF image files of the equations in a Word document. For many publishing workflows, it is essential to include images of equations as well as (or sometimes in place of) the MathML.

2. The MathML produced by Microsoft's OMML to MathML transform is different from the MathML produced by MathType's transform. Although the differences may be benign, we are concerned that in some cases having two different "flavors" of MathML in an XML archive may lead to rendering issues.

3. While Equation Builder has many very compelling features, it also lacks some very useful tools found in MathType for publishing workflows, including the ability to apply a predefined style sheet to all equations in a file with the push of a single button.

Because of these issues, we recommend that the most robust workflow for working with Equation Builder math is to convert all such equations to MathType. This conversion can be completed with Word 2007/2010 and MathType 6.5 or later. Because this conversion relies on Microsoft's OMML to MathML transform, we recommend using Word 2010 with MathType 6.7 to achieve the best results. After completing this transform, we recommend proofing all converted equations. Once the conversion is complete, all equations can be run through a common workflow with MathType.

Should your operations adopt this recommendation, we advise updating your instructions to authors. The instructions may include directions on how to use Microsoft Equation Editor 3.0 (the slimmed-down version of MathType that has shipped with Microsoft Office for 15+ years) in Word 2007/2010, or they may recommend using MathType. These instructions will minimize the conversion work necessary in editorial or production operations. Note that in Word 2007/2010, eXtyles Font Audit will notify you when Equation Builder math is found in the Word file.

Should you prefer to keep Equation Builder math in its native format, eXtyles will convert these equations to MathML during export to XML.