Equation Structure Content Unexpectedly in Text Mode When Created While in LaTeX Linear Mode

[brichwin]

eDAD tracking ticket for this issue is Accessibility 228597

Description:

If the current equation input mode to "LaTeX Input" in the Conversions group on the Equation ribbon, then input typed into a structure's content holders behaves as if it is in "Text Mode" instead of "Math Mode".

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Open Microsoft Word 365 (Desktop version).
2. Create a new document.
3. Set the default document language to "English (United States)"
4. Press "Alt+=" to bring up the equation editor
5. In the "Conversions" group on the "Equation" ribbon, select "LaTeX" input.
6. In the "Structures" group, select "Fraction", and then "Stacked Fraction"
7. Navigate to the numerator's placeholder and type "a+b"
8. Navigate to the denominator's placeholder and type "1-5"
9. Navigate to the right to leave the stacked fraction and then press "Enter" to leave the expression.
10. Note that the variables 'a' and 'b' are not converted into the "math font" and the "1-5" is not converted into math (no spacing is placed around the '-' character and the size of the '-' character is unchanged.
11. Use the Read Aloud feature to read the expression.
12. Note that the 'a' is spoken with the soft 'a' sound instead of the long 'a' sound. Also note that the denominator is read aloud as "One to five" instead of "One minus five".
13. Move the input cursor into the expression and attempt to convert the expression into the "Professional" form one or more times. Note that the expression remains unchanged.

Expected Behavior:

When in "LaTeX" input mode, content placed into a structure's content placeholders should behave the same as it does when not in a structure's content place holder.

Version Information:

• OS Version:
  -- OS Name: Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise
  -- Version: 10.0.22631 Build 22621
  -- Locale: United States
• Microsoft Word Version:
  -- Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO
  -- Version 2402 Build 16.0.17328.20346 64-bit

Video Demonstration

Video: Equation Structure Placeholder Content Unexpectedly in Text Mode When Created While in LaTeX Linear Mode (4 minutes)

[jkhurdan]

I was able to reconstruct this is issue, here was my findings:

On Windows:

• The formula did not enter correctly, as described above, using the equation editor verse latex input. (Please note, you need to ensure that the equation editor is set to latex opposed to unicode input).
• It did not read the 1-5 correctly, as described above, using the Read Aloud feature
• It did read correctly however (both versions) using NVDA and JAWS

On Mac:

• We had identical results with word, both in how the equation was written and how it read using the read aloud feature
• The MacOS TTS did NOT read the second equation correctly either

[MurrayIII]

Word's LaTeX input mode doesn't have formula autobuildup enabled. So, when you're done entering LaTeX, type Ctrl+= to build up the equation. Or click on "Professional" on the context menu. For the present example that uses a ribbon structure, when ready to build, build down with Shift+Ctrl+= and then back up with Ctrl+=. This is a work around; it should work correctly as entered in the repro steps.

[ways2read]

Response from eDAD:

We have investigated and found that when in "LaTeX" input mode, content placed into a structure's content placeholders is behaving the same as it does when not in a structure's content place holder. Please refer to the provided video for more information.