General ⇒ Using LaTeX equations in other programs

[jkh107]

Is there a way of exporting LaTeX equations as pictures for use in other programs (like those not-so-nice WYSIWYG) word processors?

[pumpkinegan]

OOoLaTeX (for OpenOffice) looks like what you are looking for; although it looks quite complicated to get working on Windows: http://ooolatex.sourceforge.net/

[Ted]

The options for doing this in Windows are lousy. As mentioned, you can use OpenOffice.

You can also use Auroa, which used to be called Ribbit (both Ribbit and Auora cost money ($45), though I think there's a student discount ($35)). It's the closest thing to being convenient for Windows users:

Aurora lets you use LaTeX in Microsoft® Word, PowerPoint®, Visio®, Excel®, and many other programs. It makes sure that your formulas look good, print prettily, and play nice with the rest of the text. Aurora takes care of the little things like numbering equations and positioning them on the page, and stays out of your way the rest of the time.

For other OS's, there are too many options to count (abiword is a good alternative if you don't like OpenOffice). I am a huge fan of the FREE LaTeX Equation Editor for OS X, which allows you to drag a LaTeX equation into any application that supports images. There are lots of other similar programs for OS X. There are similar (though not as nice) options for UNIX.

So imagine that -- MORE software options if you just ditch Windows... huh? Who knew?