MathLive Plugin for Obsidian

MathLive helps you write math in Obsidian faster. Instead of manually typing every LaTeX command, you can open a visual math editor, build the expression you want, and insert it directly into your note.

It can also turn a copied formula image into LaTeX, either through a hosted OCR service or your own local OCR server.

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Why Use It

• Write inline math and display math without leaving your note.
• Edit existing formulas in a visual math field instead of raw LaTeX only.
• Convert pasted formula images into LaTeX when you do not want to retype them.
• Stay inside Obsidian for everyday note-taking, class notes, and problem solving.

What You Can Do

Visual math editing

Use MathLive when you want to:

• insert new inline math like $x^2 + y^2$
• insert display math blocks like $$\int_0^1 x^2 dx$$
• tweak an existing expression in a friendlier editor

Formula OCR

If you copy an image of a formula to your clipboard, MathLive can try to convert it into LaTeX and add it to the editor for you.

This is useful for:

• screenshots from PDFs or slides
• handwritten or typeset formulas you want to reuse
• getting a draft expression quickly before cleaning it up

Installation

1. Open Obsidian.
2. Go to Settings -> Community plugins.
3. Click Browse and search for MathLive.
4. Click Install.
5. Click Enable.

Getting Started

Insert or edit math

1. Open any note.
2. Open the command palette with Ctrl/Cmd + P.
3. Run Add inline math or Add full-line math.
4. Type in the MathLive editor and click Insert.

If you already selected text first, MathLive uses that selection as the starting content, which makes editing existing formulas quicker.

Set a hotkey

If you use math often, assign a hotkey to the MathLive commands in Settings -> Hotkeys. That makes the plugin much faster to use during note-taking.

OCR Setup

MathLive supports two OCR modes.

Cloud OCR

Best for most users. No local setup required.

1. Create an API key at mathlive.danz.blog.
2. Open Settings -> MathLive.
3. Paste the key into API key.
4. Make sure Self hosted is turned off.

Self-hosted OCR

Best if you want to run OCR on your own machine.

1. Set up a compatible OCR server such as LaTeX-OCR so it is available at http://localhost:8502.
2. Open Settings -> MathLive.
3. Turn on Self hosted.
4. Enter any non-empty value in API key if your local server does not require one. The scan button is only enabled when that field has a value.

Self-hosting is more technical and usually only makes sense if you are already comfortable running local services.

How To Scan A Formula Image

1. Copy a formula image to your clipboard.
2. Open MathLive with Add inline math or Add full-line math.
3. Click Scan MathJax from Clipboard.
4. Wait for the recognized LaTeX to appear in the editor.
5. Clean up anything that needs correction, then click Insert.

Notes

• MathLive is desktop-only.
• OCR results are a starting point, not a guarantee. You may still want to fix symbols or spacing.
• Cloud OCR is usually the simplest option if you just want the feature to work.

Support

Issues and feature requests: github.com/danzilberdan/obsidian-mathlive

Acknowledgements

• MathLive for the visual editor
• LaTeX-OCR for OCR support