How to write LaTeX math in Confluence Cloud

Does Confluence Cloud support LaTeX?

No. Confluence Cloud has no LaTeX engine of its own, so the editor does not turn LaTeX or dollar signs into an equation. That leaves the three options below. The first two work today without installing anything.

Option 1: an image of the formula

Draw the formula with any LaTeX tool (an online equation editor, or LaTeX on your own computer), save it as PNG or SVG, and upload the image to the page.

• Readers see a real equation, in every browser and in exports.
• Nobody can edit it on the page. To change one symbol, someone has to find the LaTeX, draw it again and replace the image.
• The text is lost. Search and screen readers see only the image, unless you add alt text.

If you go this way, put the LaTeX in the image's alt text or in a code block under it, so the next person can redraw it.

Option 2: a code block with the LaTeX

Insert a code block (type /code in the editor) and paste the LaTeX into it.

• The source is safe and easy to copy. Anyone can take the LaTeX into another tool.
• Readers see code, not an equation. Fine for a team that reads LaTeX, hard for everyone else.

This suits technical notes where the formula is reference material, not something people need to read at a glance.

Option 3: a Marketplace app that draws LaTeX

Several apps on the Atlassian Marketplace add a LaTeX macro to Confluence Cloud: you type LaTeX, and the page shows the equation. Points worth comparing:

• A preview while you type, and a clear message when the LaTeX has a mistake.
• Inline formulas, inside a sentence, as well as equations on their own line.
• Where the formula is drawn: in the reader's browser, or on the vendor's servers.
• PDF and Word export: try it on a test page if you rely on it.

Full disclosure: Dortus makes Math for Confluence, submitted to the Atlassian Marketplace and waiting for approval. What it does:

• Two macros. Math block (LaTeX) puts an equation on its own line, display or text size, centred or left. Math inline (LaTeX) puts a formula inside a sentence.
• See the equation as you type. Start from an example, or type LaTeX. A mistake shows what is wrong in plain words, with the line and column.
• Pasting is cleaned up. A formula pasted with $$ … $$ or \[ … \] around it loses the delimiters.
• KaTeX 0.19, with chemistry through mhchem: \ce{2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O}.
• Copy LaTeX in one click, and a version history of up to 20 saved versions per formula.
• Readable for everyone. Light and dark mode follow Confluence, and each equation is also written as MathML for screen readers.
• No external servers. Formulas are drawn in the browser and stay in Confluence.

Five common formulas in LaTeX

Copy the code into any LaTeX tool or app, without dollar signs. Each formula is shown under its code.

Quadratic formula

\frac{top}{bottom} is a fraction, \sqrt{…} a square root, ^ a power and \pm plus-or-minus.

x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

Mean of a list of numbers

\sum_{from}^{to} is a sum, _ a subscript and \bar{x} a bar over the x.

\bar{x} = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i

Integral

\int_{0}^{\infty} is an integral from 0 to infinity. \, adds a thin space before dx.

\int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-x^2}\,dx = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}

Matrix

Inside pmatrix, & separates columns and \\ starts a new row. \quad is a wide space.

A = \begin{pmatrix}
  a & b \\
  c & d
\end{pmatrix}, \quad \det A = ad - bc

Piecewise function

cases puts the options under each other with one brace. \text{…} writes normal words inside a formula.

|x| = \begin{cases}
  x & \text{if } x \ge 0 \\
  -x & \text{if } x < 0
\end{cases}

Which option fits

One formula that will never change: an image, with the LaTeX saved next to it. A formula as reference for people who read LaTeX: a code block. Formulas that people read at a glance and keep editing on the page: a Marketplace app.

FAQ

Questions

Spotted something wrong on this page, or an option we missed? Email support@dortus.com.

See also: How to add Mermaid diagrams to Confluence Cloud