The MathType menu is missing from Word 2008 and there is only an "Insert equation" button in the Word toolbar. Unlike MathType and earlier versions of Microsoft Office, many of the MathType commands are not available in Microsoft Word 2008. These commands include:

Set Equation preferences

Insert Display Equation

Insert Numbered Equation

Insert Equation Number

Insert Equation Number Reference

Insert/Modify Chapter or Section breaks

Format or update Equation Numbers

Format Equations

Convert Equations

Export Equations

Publish to MathPage

Reason:

MathType's toolbar and menu are implemented using Microsoft Office's VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) programming language. Unfortunately, Microsoft has left out VBA support in Office 2008. They have promised to bring it back in the next major version of Office. You can read more about this by visiting So what's the story with MathType and Microsoft Office 2008?

Solution:

Since Microsoft Office 2004 has full VBA support and can be installed side-by-side with Office 2008 on a single computer, we recommend that you continue using Word 2004 with MathType for all of these functions and use Word 2008 as appropriate too. This insures the greatest compatibility with others with whom you may be sharing documents. Or simply continue using Office 2004 until Microsoft releases its next major version of Office for the Mac.

For tips and other information about using Office 2004 and Office 2008 together visit Microsoft's Best practices for using Office 2004 and Office 2008 on the same computer.

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