Numbering Equations (Formulas) and Automatically Updating in Microsoft Word
For those who frequently draft documents in mathematics and physics, numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them is very essential. Many people are familiar with using MathType, while others, including myself, use the Equation tool available in Microsoft Word. The Equation tool is very convenient and user-friendly; you can simply press Alt + to access the formula input interface. Since Equation is a feature of Word, it maintains formatting standards, such as adjusting formula sizes when the document's font size changes, and preventing formulas from misaligning when rows are shifted. However, numbering equations when using Equation can be inconvenient, and many people may not know how to do it or only manage it manually, which is time-consuming and disorganized. In this article, I would like to share some of my experiences to help you automatically number equations (formulas) and update them when using Equation in Word with just a simple keystroke.
For those who frequently draft documents in mathematics and physics, numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them is very essential. Many people are familiar with using MathType, while others, including myself, use the Equation tool available in Microsoft Word. The Equation tool is very convenient and user-friendly; you can simply press Alt + to access the formula input interface. Since Equation is a feature of Word, it maintains formatting standards, such as adjusting formula sizes when the document's font size changes, and preventing formulas from misaligning when rows are shifted. However, numbering equations when using Equation can be inconvenient, and many people may not know how to do it or only manage it manually, which is time-consuming and disorganized. In this article, I would like to share some of my experiences to help you automatically number equations (formulas) and update them when using Equation in Word with just a simple keystroke.
How to number equations but not automatically update when using Equation in Word
If you are drafting a short document and do not need to change the order of equations while editing, you can number equations as follows:
To type an equation (formula) in Word, press the combination of Alt and + keys, and you will immediately access the formula input box as shown below.
![Figure 1 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word The Equation formula input box in Word](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzA6TkhtsNIKaZNLZsl0HXMAD48deXvIEDniLmn3I431DioWAfnPVHRnJLlMEbRABk8chyMwa_2DzjtUBR_cVZEEbcv1YlejW5XInZIx7iCOq3ZAF5aZIAltfaumyR1me4vIPT_ClUsvMRxbFJvGpK5BBY6vDmPYj8fYgsizFpwBeZPUkQdrBRLqj/w400-h134/Fig1.png)
After entering the formula (equation), type # and then type (1) (the number 1 or any number for the equation's sequence).
![Figure 2 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word Type # and the sequence number immediately after the formula](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiajTGNYUhHYPgHJRswqHnUI3EluSbwTIE6xDEdqeF2ZKSik_VfYKTk2nklwN1xdz_LO507k7kV1mZoenEnxmSKuSdqmCWTKzSgJZifqji51G-0aNf3qxDBqs-3gV9OBhvKGQ7fmW7JlEbfSG2q_ZETJZgeFOyj-kZ6H-r4bkGF1Ij6k_2rqtOVDw/s320/Fig2.png)
Then press Enter to get the result as shown:
![Figure 3 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word The formula has been numbered](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU2iPHib8WFca1GelfcOKLPWMvM-8B1kETDf2hs8nLtQPjwr6lH3OdSGIuXvcJNvNa54WUNOD0YuOah7XlQ-bcC6l0exOZUEiHv59KWH2l6xlqGq-PQnUpvlfgOPN8i0ri_oANggZWaq2Ls-2-ghCoNIipGC9Yzy5Ax4cH_xbxncplbu9GF5snMvl/w640-h132/Fig3.png)
In this case, if you want to add another formula before the newly typed formula, the sequence number will not automatically update; you will need to change it manually.
How to automatically update the sequence for formulas (equations) when using Equation in Word
To have the sequence number of formulas automatically update (if you add a formula before an existing numbered formula, the number will automatically increment by 1), follow these additional steps:
+ Click outside the formula (anywhere), then select the References tab, and click Insert Caption,
![Figure 4 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word Insert label for the mathematical formula](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBriWR6m4WVWTZS_Je9jVdKGh4z_3zyJvG_1kj2264lKbRzL8FBiqFqA83CJHjKVB0Nge9cGIzREhQND426FJGAt9ZPyLFzrZteM5FZQi8LfndFbRO2V3eDv1D3Ep9V92eWGokz8e7h3UmhaBFA-VOty0Pse5GzErcbwBa8a8LCPXJh-by3Vpy8C2e/w640-h338/Fig4.png)
In the Caption sidebar as shown below, select the Label as Equation and check the Exclude label from caption box, then click Ok.
![Figure 5 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word Set automatic numbering for the formula in the Caption box](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBriWR6m4WVWTZS_Je9jVdKGh4z_3zyJvG_1kj2264lKbRzL8FBiqFqA83CJHjKVB0Nge9cGIzREhQND426FJGAt9ZPyLFzrZteM5FZQi8LfndFbRO2V3eDv1D3Ep9V92eWGokz8e7h3UmhaBFA-VOty0Pse5GzErcbwBa8a8LCPXJh-by3Vpy8C2e/w640-h338/Fig4.png)
The actual number of the formula is placed at the current cursor position. Select it and cut (select and press Ctrl X), then paste it immediately after the # in the formula and press Enter.
![Figure 6 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word Cut the label from outside to paste it into the formula](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3iwZZ_8ctqirAk2o10tlhjWyXg_AgmkcfB8r93NsrkmJYg_Bhz19CuluvSaTRWZGA9guPk7nXJkfhsrqJ1DGg0Pi8-9OvJhkFnvTa21FTZqktePVpnOnde2UfQ1nObRcRXRzjuaXWRP6dge-SOeHzmNNNgAxsngr42bDQmBRIXLw9L-kiHg8eLiV/w640-h168/Fig6.png)
Now, if you insert another formula before this one, it will automatically update the sequence number for you.
![Figure 7 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word The sequence number updates automatically.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVSiR0GaaxNf_RnvnL9EaWtaomlwGHkVB9joJ_UnAIV5VXwQ0HyN8NkM9Pn2h2bCmaQdKc5KEbf7bJFECPDGwIfILw4eNj7v9FIp-aPUdRBq-POCe50NHaQQtK1EdUiThXnYIdK38-y9FsWHxgf6Yy07GagVNnoxc-BMJ1gQhEDVAaDis9VPZYkp5/w640-h138/Fig7.png)
Now, if you need to reference this formula in your document, for example, you write: "From equation (2), we can deduce that...," the number (2) in this sentence should also be updated. However, this situation isn’t ideal.
But don’t worry, here comes the great part I have for you. Even though Microsoft Word doesn’t have this feature, I do, and you just need to perform a few simple steps. Let’s get started!
Quick Automatic Numbering for Equations in Word
Click here to download your file. This is a Word file, open it and you will see something like this:
![Figure 8 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word The Word file has been downloaded](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapoTPYSlCC0OnBrXaC7pUOUHx-bR43lFyyW4qpFUih9WG8Hf5c8ekzg2p08X2iryJkk_skKlhxBPANSO9aTiLHOX4zv8uwdggnHdzpW-UoTosuNVPa4O86I-gxNfSioLwHWJTcbV79OaAPixZM0TFWLOSW4pL1oORfy2AYgFY0VilBPPIgFCcobBp/w640-h206/Fig8.png)
Click on the formula box (the box with the faint text Type equation here.), and do you see the asterisk icon in the top-left corner? It's highlighted in red in Figure 9 below. Click on it.
![Figure 9 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word Click on the asterisk as highlighted in red](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiYNreL3CE2hwzisJQ-ZXSG_cuHvgKQPPX-4UQftUy8TkciaqzIVwJhVSGHAHKtkU_BRNHuFWTjggmek2jeNPluc4LFN5f8oje40uDIF5hGRomARo4U87eu2ueQ-VGJ--0O0JhuEbE2EULM5hfvu542d2o2ICZCvWCYnlxXGd-nYTG6oehs0SF9ZC/w640-h60/Fig9.png)
Then go to the File tab, select Options, choose Proofing, then AutoCorrect options..., switch to the AutoCorrect tab, in the Replace box, enter \1000kg (make sure to follow the highlighted sections), and then click Add and Ok.
![Figure 10 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word Add the formula template to Word's character library](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsulrAXkdZ-ChXVuxLr-IEITawVCqnWX3_-4-Gj2zXUG5-VJGme8wpjWYOeACl6c5s4DdIjQKfdi8bF3E3kr1spxGp5s3jO9p8yngSkWfnpaqGw9DP6aH0iJJrmMxm6yqQUnQCp1_icVDE16CNTsZV0MaHqoBXkFuHU7tNQulz9s_QrZ5_9MBySw-/w640-h528/Fig10.png)
Scroll down, select All New Document instead of Equation.docx, and click Ok to finish.
![Figure 11 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word Save it to use for all future Word files](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqlX-6KYzw3mz4wgo7cruBNM4OAK_OrA4O5aWgeBb8PdS01IAGGi2N-JdMiTwO6ZMlXX7vsiy3DRl5VN6OOcAQSn7__rp5C7u5k0B3I1huX8P80lQPW9MaR_qvKAvAUcehEaYEnoicVMWuLy2bXGhmkY-U_vEZTSW2q1KlT3BJHCEUNhE2J6yqsbH/w640-h524/Fig11.png)
You can now close the newly downloaded file. Go back to your document and enjoy!
If you need to type a formula, just type \1000kg and press the space bar.
![Figure 12 of Numbering equations (formulas) and automatically updating them when using Equation in Word The formula box is ready for you](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsAIkdbSSGr9KXrhdafq_Ph7hJPXh719wE8KjJ4OIWEzdtuNIH4goRp-g-8HQNnzOJhmVNt71QrgvCnrRMRqjKlON3GbTWneIwD8Xo60dHYNs05l9WKGtioBiMD0xO9TlA2Lx4Oq9tpseBv8cu9CufDoSxkRd0JuvT4QJc3c604D6GWcdxVFMW3vJ/w640-h72/Fig12.png)
Just click on the Type equation here. box to enter your formula.
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