# Modifying the shortcuts in Microsoft Word Equation Editor?

Microsoft Word 2010 enables equation editing through the Equation Editor.

It is possible to use shortcuts similar to LaTeX code in order to enter equations in a more fluent manner than clicking on the toolbar for each symbol. One of these shortcuts, for ⟺, is \longleftrightarrow but this symbol is in very frequent use for me and I want to use \iff instead of the current very long "short"-cut. I was unable to find a standard way of modifying this shortcut or adding a new one. How can I go around this issue?

You can use AutoCorrect to create additional shortcuts, specifically Math AutoCorrect.

In my Word:

 File -> Options -> Proofing -> AutoCorrect Options (near the top) -> Math AutoCorrect


Find the symbol you want (the list is alphabetical, so look for \Longleftrightarrow), then type in your desired shortcut (\iff), and hit the "Add" button.

I just did this and it worked.

Software: Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010; version 14.0.6129.5000

• Too bad I saw this only now and I don't realize how I missed that option. I hope this will be of help in the future. Thanks! – shwarto Aug 19 '13 at 16:00

Use AutoHotkey. You can replace any string of entered characters with any other string of characters (in any application). Simply place the first string (called a Hotstring) between two double-colons and follow that by the second string:

For example:

::_iff::\Longleftrightarrow

::_qe::x=(-b+-\sqrt(b^2-4ac))/2a

1) Go to https://autohotkey.com/

3) Install the app

4) Right-click in Windows Explorer > New > AutoHotkey script

5) Name the new file

6) Right-click the file > Edit

7) Paste the above three lines into the script*