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LaTeX Math for Confluence
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Block Macro

Create prominent, display-style mathematical equations that stand out from your content using the LaTeX Math Block Macro.

What is the Block Macro?

The Block Macro renders mathematical equations in display mode - centered, larger, and separated from surrounding text. Perfect for important formulas, complex equations, and multi-line mathematical expressions.

When to Use Block Macros

Use block macros when:

  • ✅ Displaying important equations
  • ✅ Creating multi-line mathematical expressions
  • ✅ Showing complex formulas that need emphasis
  • ✅ Using matrices, systems of equations, or aligned expressions
  • ✅ Presenting theorems and proofs

Use inline macros instead for:

  • ❌ Simple variables within text
  • ❌ Short formulas in sentences
  • ❌ Inline mathematical notation

How to Add a Block Macro

  1. Open a Confluence page in edit mode
  2. Position your cursor on a new line
  3. Type: 
    /latex
  4. Select "LaTeX Math for Confluence" or "LaTeX Math for Confluence (Block)"
  5. Enter your LaTeX equation
  6. Save the macro

Method 2: Insert Menu

  1. Open a page in edit mode
  2. Click "Insert" → "Other macros"
  3. Search for "latex"
  4. Select "LaTeX Math for Confluence"
  5. Click "Insert"

Writing Block Equations

Syntax Options

The block macro supports multiple LaTeX syntaxes:

Display Math Delimiters

\[
E = mc^2
\]

Double Dollar Signs

$$
E = mc^2
$$

No Delimiters (Automatic Display Mode)

E = mc^2

The macro automatically renders in display mode

LaTeX Environments

\begin{equation}
E = mc^2
\end{equation}

Alignment Options

Block macros support three alignment modes:

Center (Default)

Equations are centered on the page.

Left Align

Equations align to the left margin.

Right Align

Equations align to the right margin.

To change alignment:

  1. Edit the macro
  2. Use the alignment buttons in the preview pane
  3. Save changes

Examples

1. Simple Equations

LaTeX:

\[
E = mc^2
\]

Result: Energy-mass equivalence displayed prominently

2. Fractions and Roots

LaTeX:

\[
x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
\]

Result: The quadratic formula in display mode

3. Integrals

LaTeX:

\[
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2} dx = \sqrt{\pi}
\]

Result: Gaussian integral

4. Summations

LaTeX:

\[
\sum_{i=1}^{n} i = \frac{n(n+1)}{2}
\]

Result: Sum of first n natural numbers

5. Matrices

LaTeX:

\[
A = \begin{bmatrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{bmatrix}
\]

Result: 2×2 matrix

6. Systems of Equations

LaTeX:

\[
\begin{cases}
x + y = 5 \\
2x - y = 1
\end{cases}
\]

Result: System of linear equations

7. Aligned Equations

LaTeX:

\[
\begin{aligned}
f(x) &= x^2 + 2x + 1 \\
&= (x + 1)^2
\end{aligned}
\]

Result: Multi-line aligned equation

8. Limits

LaTeX:

\[
\lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{1}{x} = 0
\]

Result: Limit notation

9. Partial Derivatives

LaTeX:

\[
\frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial t^2} = c^2 \frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial x^2}
\]

Result: Wave equation

10. Complex Formulas

LaTeX:

\[
\oint_C \vec{F} \cdot d\vec{r} = \iint_S (\nabla \times \vec{F}) \cdot d\vec{S}
\]

Result: Stokes' theorem

Advanced Features

Multi-line Equations

To show several lines in one block macro, put them in an environment. The lines then render as separate lines on the page and in PDF and Word exports.

Use gather* for centered lines:

\begin{gather*}
a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \\
e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0
\end{gather*}

Use align* to line the rows up on &:

\begin{align*}
a^2 + b^2 &= c^2 \\
\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta &= 1 \\
e^{i\pi} + 1 &= 0
\end{align*}

Drop the star (gather, align) to number the lines.

If you prefer to wrap the formula in \[ ... \], use aligned or gathered inside a single \[ ... \] instead.

Avoid these, because the page shows the line break but exports put everything on one line:

  • Two separate \[ ... \] blocks in one macro
  • A bare \\ line break without an environment

For formulas that are not related to each other, use a separate block macro for each one.

Matrices and Arrays

Every bracket style, determinants and augmented matrices are in matrices in LaTeX.

Multiple matrix styles are supported:

% Regular matrix
\begin{matrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{matrix}

% Parentheses
\begin{pmatrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{pmatrix}

% Brackets
\begin{bmatrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{bmatrix}

% Vertical bars (determinant)
\begin{vmatrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{vmatrix}

Chemical Equations

Write reactions with \ce. Arrows, charges and states are covered in chemical equations in LaTeX.

\[
\ce{CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3}
\]

Text in Equations

\[
f(x) = \begin{cases}
x^2 & \text{if } x \geq 0 \\
-x^2 & \text{if } x < 0
\end{cases}
\]

Best Practices

✅ Do's

  1. Use for important equations - Make key formulas stand out
  2. Add spacing - Leave blank lines before/after block macros
  3. Organize content - Use one equation per block for clarity
  4. Test rendering - Preview before saving
  5. Use proper environments - Choose the right LaTeX environment

❌ Don'ts

  1. Don't overuse - Too many blocks can overwhelm readers
  2. Avoid inline delimiters - Don't use $...$ in block macros
  3. Don't mix content - Keep equations separate from text
  4. No excessive whitespace - Clean LaTeX is better

Editing Block Macros

Edit Existing Macro

  1. Hover over the equation block
  2. Click the edit icon (⚙️)
  3. Modify your LaTeX in the editor
  4. Use Live Preview to verify changes
  5. Save when satisfied

Change Alignment

  1. Open the macro editor
  2. Click alignment buttons in the preview pane:
    • Left align button
    • Center align button
    • Right align button
  3. Save changes

Mixed Content

You can combine text and equations in a single block:

Consider the equation:
\[
E = mc^2
\]
where $E$ is energy, $m$ is mass, and $c$ is the speed of light.

Note: Inline equations ($...$) within block macros work as expected.

Troubleshooting

Equation Not Centering

Problem: Block equation appears left-aligned

Solution:

  1. Open the macro editor
  2. Check alignment setting in preview pane
  3. Select Center alignment
  4. Save changes

Line Breaks Not Working

Problem: Multi-line equations appear on one line, often only in PDF or Word exports

Solution:

  1. Put the lines in an environment such as align* or gather*
  2. Use \\ for line breaks within that environment
  3. Don't put two separate \[ ... \] blocks in one macro; use one block macro per formula instead
  4. Don't use \n or \newline
  5. See Multi-line Equations

Matrix Not Rendering

Problem: Matrix shows as text

Solution:

  1. Verify you're using \begin{matrix}...\end{matrix}
  2. Check for proper \\ line breaks
  3. Use & for column separation
  4. Ensure balanced braces

Spacing Too Tight

Problem: Equations too close to text

Solution:

  1. Add blank lines before/after the macro in Confluence
  2. Don't add extra LaTeX spacing commands
  3. Let Confluence handle paragraph spacing

Performance Considerations

  • ✅ Block macros handle complex equations efficiently
  • ✅ Multiple blocks on one page are supported
  • ⚠️ Very large matrices (>10×10) may slow rendering
  • ⚠️ Limit to 20-30 block macros per page for best performance

Common Use Cases

1. Textbook Equations

Display important formulas prominently in educational content.

2. Research Documentation

Present theorems, proofs, and derivations clearly.

3. Engineering Specifications

Show calculations and formulas in technical docs.

4. Scientific Papers

Format equations according to academic standards.

5. Data Science

Display statistical formulas and models.

Need Help?

Guides for LaTeX Math for Confluence

Stuck on something this page does not cover? Ask the developers.