Align by equal sign? There's finally a button for that!

Here at Texthelp, we value the input of our users, especially since they’re often the ones finding new and innovative ways to use our tools. So, when EquatIO users asked for increased intuitiveness and better usability within the product (particularly for aligning multiple equations), we jumped straight on it. Here’s a quick rundown of all the new enhancements we’ve made.  

User interface updates to EquatIO

When you open up EquatIO, you’ll see  two new buttons on the main palette. The first one, ‘My Favorites’,

 allows users to save their commonly used formulas, math sequences, matrices, and other math structures for easy access in the future. Once a ‘favorite’ has been saved, it can then be accessed via the ‘More’ palette button.

The second addition to the EquatIO palette is the ‘More’ feature, 

which allows users to access commonly used items in math and STEM classes. Within the ‘More’ button, you’ll find:

• The ‘General’ tab for text formatting options like Bold, Underline, Italics, & Strikethrough
• The ‘Symbols’ tab for operation symbols like greater than & less than signs, fractions, absolute value, superscripts, subscripts, etc.
• The ‘Layout’ tab for matrices so users can solve long division, multi-digit addition or multiplication, problems with parentheses or brackets, etc.
• The ‘Formulas’ tab for easy access to our rich database of formulas
• The ‘My Favorites’ tab for easy access to all your frequently used maths structures

You can see all the new enhancements in this quick demo: 

Less Keyboard Shortcuts = A Happier User Experience

In addition to the palette updates,  we’re also excited to introduce an easier user experience when it comes to keeping your math items aligned.

EquatIO users may be familiar with the keyboard shortcut ‘Shift + Enter’ to create a new line.  Now, you can simply hit ‘Enter’ on the keyboard and it will take you to the next line to make new math.  This provides an experience similar to Word processing.  On moving to the next line, you’ll be presented with more alignment options, including the much requested align by equal sign!

Here’s a whistlestop tour of the new alignment features: 

Free vs. Premium Features

Here's a quick rundown of what kind of subscription you'll find these new additions under.

Free

Premium

General

✔

Symbols

✔

Formulas

✔

Layouts

✔

My favorites

✔

Alignment tools

✔

To give everyone the chance to try the premium enhancements listed above, we’re turning them all on for every user through the end of December. So, if you or your students are using the free version of EquatIO, be sure to make some time to explore the premium tools before January 1...

Don’t forget to tell us what you think

As you explore, we would love to hear your feedback on these latest updates, as well as any future development you would like to see. If you have suggestions, please feel free to add them in the comments below.  Nothing makes us happier than hearing from our customers!