"Word cannot edit the MathType Equation 3.6" Error Message 

The information in this document applies to:

Issue

MathType for Windows users may try to open a Microsoft Word document containing equations created with MathType 3.6 or 3.7 for Macintosh and receive the error message below,

Reason

MathType 3.6 and 3.7 for Macintosh equations are all considered different types of graphics by Windows than equations created by MathType 3.5 for Windows or MathType 4.0 for Windows. To edit the MathType for Macintosh equations, you must register MathType 3.5 or 4.0 for Windows as the editor used to open MathType 3.6 equations.

Note: You cannot edit MathType 4.0 for Windows equations with MathType 3.5 for Windows or Microsoft Equation, the equation editor included with Microsoft Office.

Solution

You can correct your registry settings so that Windows will edit MathType 3.6 or 3.7 for Macintosh equations with MathType 3.5 or 4.0 for Windows. Equations created by MathType 3.6 and 3.7 are considered the same type of graphic by Windows. The way to register MathType 3.5 or 4.0 for Windows registered as the editor used to open MathType 3.6 and 3.7 equations depends on the which version of MathType for Windows you are using.

1. MathType 4.0 and 5.0 for Windows users

2. MathType 3.5 for Windows users

MathType 4.0 and 5.0 for Windows users

When you install MathType 4.0 or 5.0 for Windows, they register themselves as the appropriate editor for MathType 3.6 and 3.7 for Macintosh equations. If you are receiving the error notice shown earlier, you can correct this problem by changing your registry settings using the Equation Conversion Manager which is included with MathType.

1. Quit all word processors which are currently running on your computer.
2. Quit MathType and make sure that MathType is not running in Server Mode. If MathType is running in Server Mode, you will see a small icon below the clock in the corner of your computer screen. If MathType is running in server mode, double-click on the icon to open the MathType Server and click on Exit.
3. Choose Programs from your Windows Start menu and launch the Equation Conversion Manager from the MathType program group.
4. Under "Show equation types for", choose "all MathType compatible editors". You should see the following:

5. Under "Do not convert", click on "MathType Equation 3.6" to select it.
6. Click on "<< Move" to move it into the "Convert to MathType 4.0 equation" column.
7. Click Close.

Note: Windows considers both MathType 3.6 and 3.7 graphics to be of the type "MathType Equation 3.6".

You should be able to edit equations created by MathType for Macintosh 3.6 or 3.7 by double-clicking on them thereafter.

If you have Microsoft Word, you can use the Convert Equations in the MathType menu of Microsoft Word to convert all the MathType 3.6 and 3.7 for Macintosh equations in a document to MathType 4.0 or 5.0 for Windows equations.

If you do not have Microsoft Word, you will need to update each equation individually by double-clicking on it.

MathType 3.5 for Windows users

You will need a registry patch from the link below. In order to insure that this file is downloaded instead of viewed, please follow the instructions listed below:

1. Right-click on the following link

dsmt36ole.reg

2. Save the file on your desktop with the default filename off  dsmt36ole.reg.
3. Double-click on dsmt36ole.reg.
4. The dialog below should appear,

5. Click Yes.  
6. Once the file is imported into the registration database, Windows will display the message below to indicate the entry has been successfully added to your registry,

You should no longer experience any problems editing MathType 3.6 and 3.7 for Macintosh equations by double-clicking on them.

If you have Microsoft Word and have installed the MathType macros, you can simply choose Update Equations from the Tools menu of Microsoft Word to convert all the MathType 3.6 and 3.7 for Macintosh in a Word document to MathType 3.5 for Windows equations. If you have not installed the macros in MathType 3.5 for Microsoft Word, please see our technical notice about installing the MathType macros.

If you do not have Microsoft Word, you will have to update each equation individually by double-clicking on it.

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