MathType 6.9b Product Report MathType 6.9b is a legacy version of the professional equation editor used for creating mathematical notation in word processors, presentations, and e-learning platforms. While it has largely been succeeded by subscription-based models, it remains a common requirement in specific academic and publishing workflows. Product Overview
Purpose: An interactive editor for Windows and Mac that generates equations for Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, TeX, LaTeX, and MathML.
Developer: Originally developed by Design Science, the software is now part of the Wiris product suite.
Compliance: Supports keyboard navigation and screen readers, maintaining compliance with WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards. Version 6.9b Specifics
Security Update (6.9c): Version 6.9b was famously succeeded by a security patch labeled 6.9c. Users should note that even after updating to 6.9c, the "About" screen in the Microsoft Word tab may still incorrectly report the version as 6.9b, while the standalone MathType application will correctly show 6.9c. mathtype 6.9b
Publishing Requirements: Major publishers like Springer Nature specifically mandate the use of MathType 6.9b or higher for equation submission to ensure compatibility with their layout processes. Common Issues & Solutions
Clipboard & Rendering: Users transitioning to new hardware often face issues where equations are pasted as uneditable images. This is typically resolved by re-installing the truetype.exe font package included with the official MathType 6.9b installer.
Symbol Conversion: Some users report difficulty converting specific bullet characters from Microsoft's native OMML format into MathType 6.9b format, which may require manual adjustment. Current Availability
MathType has transitioned to a cross-platform subscription model. You can find current versions for modern workflows at the following locations: MathType 6
Google Workspace: Available as an add-in for Docs and Slides via the Google Workspace Marketplace.
Microsoft Office: Modern versions (Office 2019/365) integrate MathType via the Office Store under "Add-ins".
If compatibility issues or activation hurdles make 6.9b impractical, consider these modern replacements:
| Tool | License | Key Feature | |------|---------|--------------| | MathType 7+ | Subscription | Cloud sync, Office 365, Google Workspace | | Equation Editor (Word 365) | Free (with Office) | Basic, built-in, modern UI | | LaTeX (Overleaf / TeXstudio) | Free | Best for complex documents, fully scriptable | | LibreOffice Math | Free (Open Source) | Decent for occasional use | | MyScript Math | One-time / Free tier | Handwriting recognition | Alternatives in 2025 If compatibility issues or activation
MathType 6.9b is a specific point-release iteration of the popular equation editor developed by Design Science (later acquired by Wiris). While the major version 6.9 was released to integrate with the then-new Microsoft Office 2016/2019 and Windows 10 ecosystems, the "b" sub-version represents a stability and compatibility maintenance update.
This report evaluates the software’s architecture, feature set, compatibility scope, and security posture within the context of legacy and modern software environments.
Before hunting down a copy, there are important downsides to consider: