LaTeXiT for MAC
Free LaTeX equation editor for Mac: type LaTeX, get a clean equation as PDF or image, for your documents. Needs a LaTeX installation.
LaTeXiT Overview
LaTeXiT is a small equation editor for the Mac. It is a graphical interface on top of a LaTeX engine: instead of creating a .tex file, compiling it, cropping the result and pasting it into your document, you type the equation and LaTeXiT does the rest. Equations come out as PDF by default and can be converted to images or exported as SVG or MathML (MathML is experimental). As far as possible, the LaTeX code is kept inside the result, so you can reopen an equation later and change it.
LaTeXiT does not include a LaTeX engine. It needs a working LaTeX installation with pdflatex and GhostScript, which you install yourself, so you can add any package and update LaTeX on your own schedule. It is made by Pierre Chatelier and is freeware under the CeCILL license, with source code on its site. Version 2.16.6 opens .tikz files and fixes SVG selection. The download page lists macOS 10.9 or later and Apple Silicon support was added in version 2.16.0, but the developer's compatibility page only names versions up to macOS 11, and this release is a few years old, so newer macOS versions are not confirmed.
Key Features
LaTeXiT takes the repetitive steps out of LaTeX equations.
- Instant equations: type LaTeX and get a cropped result.
- Exports: PDF by default, images, SVG and experimental MathML.
- Editable results: LaTeX code stays embedded where possible.
- Editing help: syntax coloring, a dictionary and error messages from LaTeX logs.
- History and libraries: reuse equations and share your collections.
- Palettes: common symbols ready to insert, and you can create your own.
- Your own LaTeX: any package, any distribution, and custom scripts.
- Services and Automator: convert equations from other apps or in batches.
What’s New in Version 2.16.6
LaTeXiT 2.16.6 adds .tikz support and a fix.
- Opens *.tikz files as *.tex files
- Fixes a context menu that prevented selecting SVG when it is available through pdftocairo
LaTeXiT FAQ
Is LaTeXiT free?
Yes. LaTeXiT is freeware under the CeCILL license, and its source code is available from its download page. The developer accepts donations.
What do I need to use LaTeXiT?
A working LaTeX installation with pdflatex and GhostScript (gs). LaTeXiT does not include a LaTeX engine; it uses the one you installed.
Which macOS version does LaTeXiT need?
The download page lists macOS 10.9 or later. The developer's compatibility page only names versions up to macOS 11, so newer versions are not confirmed.
Does LaTeXiT run on Apple Silicon Macs?
Apple Silicon support was added in version 2.16.0, according to the developer's version history.
Which formats can LaTeXiT export?
Equations are PDF by default and can be converted to images. SVG export needs pdf2svg or pdftocairo, and MathML export is marked experimental.
Can I edit an equation after exporting it?
Often, yes. LaTeXiT embeds the LaTeX code inside the equation as far as possible, so you can reopen it. There are limitations when the export is not PDF.
Does LaTeXiT work with other apps?
Yes. Through the macOS Services menu it can detect and transform equations in other apps that allow text to be replaced by an image. Keynote does not. Automator handles batches.
Why is LaTeXiT showing in French?
Its native language is French. The developer's fix: in System Preferences, Language and Region, add French and put English at a higher priority.
Can I install LaTeXiT with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install --cask latexit.
Where does the LaTeXiT download on latexit.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official LaTeXiT download page at https://pierre.chachatelier.fr/latexit/latexit-downloads.php?lang=en. latexit.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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