11.2: Editing Equations

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Once an equation is entered, editing it can be tricky. We recommend first reading the help file under Contents > Getting Started > Entering and Evaluating Expressions > Editing an Expression. Here we give a few pointers, but also suggest plenty of practice and trial-and-error.

Blue Guidelines

As you type, you should notice a pair of blue lines appear and change size as you enter the expression, one as an underline and one as a vertical line. This pair of guidelines indicates the insertion point if you were to type something new. In order to move the blue guidelines to the desired spot you can try the following

Using the spacebar

Each time the spacebar is depressed, the blue guidelines increase in length and enclose more of the equation for editing. Try it.

Using the arrow keys

You can scroll through an equation using the left and right arrow keys. With the up and down arrow keys, you can move between exponents and subscripts. Give it a shot.

Using the insert key

Using the insert key, you can move the vertical blue guideline to the opposite side of the horizontal blue guideline. Once, again, you’ll figure it out by trying it.

Using the mouse

You can of course use the mouse to click within an equation or to move selected equation blocks. To edit within an equation, click at the desired location in the equation. If you want to select a variable name, try double clicking on the variable name, or highlighting it with the usual click-and-drag.

To select multiple equations into a block that can be moved or aligned, click and hold at a location outside the equation and drag the dotted box that appears to include the desired equations. Once the mouse button is released, the selected equations can be moved by putting the mouse cursor over one of the selected boxes (a small hand should appear), then click and move the entire block to the desired location.

To align a selected block of equations, do one of the following:

Use the menu: Format > Align Regions > (either Across or Down)
Click on the align Across or align Down button (as pictured).

Other Customization of Equation Blocks

One of Mathcad’s strengths is the ability of the user to make the work simply look nice. Combining text and equations along with graphs is easy to do. In addition, you can customize your equations in a number of ways:

Highlighting the equation

This is useful to make parts of the sheet stand out. If you right click on an equation, you can select Properties. From there, you can select “Highlight Region” (and select a color) or “Show Border” (around the equation).

Formatting the result

Under the menu Format > Result, you can set the number of decimal places, change the “Number format” (Decimal, Scientific, Engineering, etc.), “Display Options” (useful for tables and matrices) and customize how units are shown in “Unit Display.” You can also double click any evaluated equation to get this dialog box.