Equations in Powerpoint no longer aligning at a defined character

Question

Equations in Powerpoint no longer aligning at a defined character

Ben Cheetham 0

Hi All

I teach Maths and use Powerpoint to do so, annotating over slides while explaining methods, concepts, etc.

In recent weeks, I've noticed that equations, typed using the Powerpoint's "Enter equation" are no longer aligning to the desired character (usually the equals sign) once a Poweroint file has been closed and reopened. This goes against the modelling I want to outline to students and is exceedingly time consuming to reinstate, only to lose it again when I next close the file.

I've considered trying to find a workaround using VBA (still a work in progress) and tried to establish whether this issue has arisen because of an update to Office 365, which still seems likely.

Anyone else experiencing this issue?!

Thanks

Ben

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

There is currently no Microsoft-published fix for PowerPoint for Windows losing equation alignment after save and reopen, so preserve the layout with a LaTeX equation array where supported and report the failing build to Microsoft.

Practical workaround: use one equation array

Current Microsoft 365 builds can convert LaTeX into Office Math. An align environment produces an equation array whose alignment points are preserved, although its appearance can differ slightly from native LaTeX rendering.^1^

In PowerPoint, press Alt+= to insert an equation.^2^
Set the equation input format to LaTeX, if that option is available on the Equation tab.
Enter the working as one equation:

\begin{align}
2x + 5 &= 17 \\
2x &= 12 \\
x &= 6
\end{align}

Choose Convert → Professional if PowerPoint does not convert it automatically.
Save, close, and reopen a small test presentation before converting existing slides.

The & marks the alignment point immediately before each equals sign. This avoids repeatedly applying Align at this character to separate lines.

This workflow requires Microsoft 365 Version 2606 (Build 20131.xxxxx) for Windows or later for the fully documented LaTeX feature set; earlier versions support only some features.^1^ If align is not recognized in your installed build, this workaround is not applicable.

Establish and report the regression

The current PowerPoint for Windows known-issues page does not list this exact equation-alignment persistence problem.^3^ A separate report describes equation formatting reverting after reopening, but it has no accepted or recommended resolution.^4^

Create a minimal reproducible file and include:

PowerPoint version and build: File → Account → About PowerPoint
Microsoft 365 update channel, shown under File → Account
Windows version
Whether the file is stored locally or in OneDrive/SharePoint
File format, preferably confirming it is .pptx
One slide containing a multiline equation aligned at =
The same slide after saving, closing PowerPoint completely, and reopening it

Submit it through Help → Feedback → Report a Problem, attaching the sample presentation or screenshots where the feedback dialog permits it. For a home or education subscription, Microsoft’s PowerPoint support page also directs users to Contact Us; business users can use the Microsoft 365 community or their organization’s support route.^5^

One file-format check

If Compatibility Mode appears beside the presentation name, save a copy as a modern .pptx and reproduce the issue there. Compatibility Mode makes some PowerPoint commands unavailable and changes the behavior of several presentation components.^6^ If the affected file is already .pptx and is not in Compatibility Mode, this branch does not apply.

A VBA repair routine would only reapply formatting after PowerPoint has discarded it; it would not correct the underlying save-and-reopen behavior.

References

Answer 2

Hola Ben,

I can imagine how frustrating this is when you're trying to demonstrate mathematical methods and need everything aligned correctly. Having your equations rearrange themselves every time you reopen a presentation is certainly not helpful!

I did some digging and found something interesting. In July 2026, another PowerPoint user reported that equation formatting was being lost after saving and reopening presentations. In September, someone else reported that small fractions were reverting to normal-sized fractions under similar circumstances.

Neither report describes your exact alignment problem, but they suggest that you're not alone in experiencing changes to equation formatting when presentations are reopened. I couldn't find a confirmed Microsoft fix for your particular issue.

I'd be interested in knowing whether you can reproduce this in a completely new presentation. Create a few equations, align them at the equals sign, save the file locally as .pptx, close PowerPoint, and reopen it. If the alignment disappears, that would help establish that the issue isn't specific to your existing teaching materials.

For a temporary workaround, you might consider using separate text boxes for each side of your equations, positioning the equals signs in a consistent column, and grouping the objects. It's less elegant than PowerPoint's equation editor, but it avoids relying on the alignment feature that's giving you trouble. You can still use equation objects within those groups for more complicated mathematical expressions.

Microsoft documents PowerPoint's object alignment and grouping functionality here.

I wouldn't invest too much effort in VBA just yet. If PowerPoint itself is failing to preserve the equation formatting, a macro might help restore the layout, but it wouldn't address the underlying issue.

Could you share your PowerPoint version and build number from file> Account > About PowerPoint? I'm particularly interested in whether this began immediately after an update and whether the behavior occurs in newly created presentations.

If we can establish that it's reproducible in a new file, I'd recommend reporting it through PowerPoint's feedback feature with a small example presentation.

Thanks,

James

Ben Cheetham 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T20:04:25.22+00:00

Dear James

Thank you for such a swift and concerned response.

This is a very recent phenomenon: probably noticed it for about three weeks now.

I'm hoping for a fix in a future Office 365 update but am open to trying "eqarrays" (as advised by AI) or anything else. Having different lines in different text boxes isn't impossible, but slower and less automated than what Powerpoint has been doing for years with the "right-click > math options > align at this character".

I created a completely new Powerpoint and the problem reoccurred. The inserted image shows an equation where I've used "align at this character" and then lose this setting on reopening AND on the right, using eqarrays by copying code.

The eqarray remains exactly as I'd want it but I'm not yet proficient at doing this from scratch. Plus I've got dozens and dozens of resources created over the years that don't use this option so I am praying that there'll be a fix at some point soon.

I also attached a pic of the build version. Very grateful to you for your response and happy to try anything you might advise.

Kind regards

Ben