Using Graphics And Equations in Microsoft Word

If you are using a Windows machine, you can download and install our Classic Edition. This is "how we have done things" since 1989. The system is old, slow. locked to Windows, and can be unreliable but, if it suits your needs, go for it.

Everyone else should use our new integration system, included in our Manifest Edition.

The introduction of FX Manifest means that integration with word is far less important than it used to be. FX Manifest is designed to be used as your main editing system even though its final output is a fully formatted Word document. This does not mean that you HAVE to use FX Manifest, it is just the most efficient way of doing things.

If you still want to use Word integration, you need to use our new, Regeneratable Question, Word toolbar. This allows you to fully utilise Efofex graphics and equations in your Word documents whilst also allowing you to edit the documents that come out of FX Manifest.

New Regeneratable Question Word Integration is Just Better

If you are using our products with Word, you should move to the new system. It doesn't matter if you are using a Mac or a Windows machine - the new system is just better. MUCH better.

Faster

Regeneratable question integration is up to three times faster to edit an existing graphic. Classic graphics are based on an old technology that wasn't really designed for speed. If you are constantly going into and out of graphics and equations, you will notice a significant improvement in your productivity.

Cross Platform

Manifest integration runs in exactly the same way on Windows and Mac machines. Classic mode cannot be ported to Macs.

Reliable

Classic Mode relies on what is now an ancient and opaque technology that is not always reliable. Manifest integration is a much more reliable technology.

Support for Efofex Parameters

Manifest integration provides support for Efofex Parameters and its speed advantage makes regeneration of an existing document feasible.

Transparent Graphics

Classic mode is restricted by the underlying technology so that it can only provide graphics with white backgrounds. This means that you cannot overlay graphics or use a coloured background. Manifest integration integration can provide graphics with transparent backgrounds.

FAQ

Q. What About My Old Documents?

A. No problem. You can convert old, Classic Mode documents to Manifest integration at the push of a button. You do need to be on a Windows machine as Classic Mode only operates on Windows. The quality of the conversion depends on how old the graphics are. If you created the graphics in recent versions of our products, the conversion will be pixel perfect. The older the graphic, the more likely you will see small differences in the output. Very old graphics (more than 20 years) may not be convertible.

Q. Do I Need To Use Regeneratable Question integration To Use Efofex Parameters?

A. Yes. While it is technically possible to use Efofex Parameters in Classic Mode, the processes are so slow and unwieldy that we have decided to only support it in Regeneratable Question integration. Having said that, the best way to create regeneratable questions is within FX Manifest.

Q. Can I Keep Using Classic Mode? I Don't Want To Learn Anything New!

A. Yes you can. The only change you will notice is that the tab in Word has been renamed "Efofex Classic". In fact, you can have both Manifest integration and Classic Mode running on your machine if you really wanted to.

Q. Are You Going To Remove Classic Mode In The Future?

A. It depends. We will not voluntarily remove Classic Mode but we will not be adding any new features to it. As we have always stated, if Microsoft removes Classic Mode support we will be forced to follow suit.

Q. Are There Any Disadvantages to Regeneratable Question Integration?

A. One. The new system uses the "Alternative Text" functionality of Word to store some crucial information. This Word feature is designed to provide textual descriptions of graphics for vision impaired people. While you can still add Alternative Text for this purpose, the Efofex data needs to be retained and will make no sense to a vision impaired user.