MadeToTag supports Math equations in cooperation with MathTools developer movemen

axaio software, developer of automation solutions for PDF output workflows for the publishing and printing markets as well as for accessible PDF creation, enter into a strategic partnership with the German manufacturer movemen, to support one variant of MathML (Mathematical MarkUp Language) in its tagging tool MadeToTag. The tool supports now mathematical equations and expressions in the exported PDF/UA.

Over the last few months, axaio software has been working extensively on how to handle mathematical expressions in the context of MadeToTag. There are users who need to export InDesign documents as accessible PDF documents, containing a variety of equations and other mathematical expressions. At the same time, the PDF/UA standard guidelines do not yet contain any concrete specifications as to how this type of content should be tagged or output in PDF to ensure comprehensive accessibility.

After intensive research and discussions with customers from various sectors, such as the science industry, the school and education system and the publishing industry, axaio software has come to the conclusion that there cannot be only one correct approach: the way mathematical content is consumed varies in manner and intensity, depending on the context and background of the reader, i.e. the person who finally consumes that content. Accordingly, the methods used for the accessible implementation of mathematical expressions in tagged PDF should also offer different variants.

As a result of the strategic cooperation with the German manufacturer movemen, a first variant for MathML (Mathematical MarkUp Language) support in axaio's tool MadeToTag was developed. The company movemen is the developer of MathTools, an Adobe InDesign/InDesign Server plug-in. MathTools provides a typographically correct way to create and format mathematical expressions, such as equations, directly in Adobe InDesign. The equations are displayed as text and can be edited directly with the text formatting tools in InDesign. The workaround using embedded images or objects can thus be avoided.

MathML is a markup language that describes the structure of a mathematical equation in order to better understand its semantics. With the new version 1.9.100, you can now choose in MadeToTag’s output process to place the MathML as an annotation over the mathematical expression (formulas, equations, fractions …) in the PDF/UA. The only requirement for taking advantage of this new MadeToTag feature is that you are working with equations that were previously set in InDesign by MathTools from movemen. In order to use this feature in MadeToTag, you need to set the check mark for ‘Create MathML annotations’ in processing step 7 ‘Create PDF file with tags’. Then the annotation will automatically be placed over all formulas contained in the document:

Contrary to equations which were included as embedded images or objects, the equation's semantic structure is furthermore available as MathML and can therefore be better supported by assistive technologies.

As already mentioned, axaio software has set itself an objective: implementing additional variants for representing mathematical expressions in tagged PDF/UA in the future.

Learn more on the MadeToTag help page: here.

The single user license of MadeToTag costs € 599 (excl. VAT).

A free MadeToTag 30-day trial is available on the axaio website:

Practical tutorials are available here.

axaio streamlines PDF creation, printing and content correction workflows for Adobe InDesign, InCopy, Illustrator and QuarkXPress environments. Its flagship product, MadeToPrint, vastly enhances the reliability of PDF creation, print output processes as well as export to other file formats and seamlessly integrates into editorial environments based on vjoon K4 and WoodWing Enterprise Studio. Another topic axaio software is focusing on is the generation of accessible documents, a theme of growing importance. axaio solutions are being used by publishing houses, advertisement agencies, prepress service providers and packaging companies all over the world. axaio software actively supports the international PDF standards and is member of the PDF Association.

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