1. MathML for NIMAC Users: The “No MathML” Download Option
October 2019

2. What is MathML?
MathML is XML code for providing math equations or scientific notation.
If conversion software understands this code, the MathML can automatically be turned into braille or digital formats that are accessible to a screen reader.

3. Math Content in NIMAS
Math equations have traditionally been supplied in print books, and also in NIMAS files, as images.
However, images cannot be automatically converted into formats such as braille or accessed by a screen reader.
Some publishers provide MathML in the NIMAS file (in addition to the images), for users who can benefit from this code.

4. Math provided in an image file
Since this math expression is an image, software may be able to display “the picture,” but will not have any way to access the actual image content.

5. The same math expression as MathML
<m:math altimg="./images/u01c01/EQp075_001.jpg" display='inline' alttext=""><m:mrow><m:mrow><m:mo>{</m:mo><m:mtable columnalign='left'><m:mtr><m:mtd><m:mo>−</m:mo><m:mn>3</m:mn><m:mi>x</m:mi><m:mo>−</m:mo><m:mn>4</m:mn><m:mi>y</m:mi><m:mo>=</m:mo><m:mo>−</m:mo><m:mn>2</m:mn></m:mtd></m:mtr><m:mtr><m:mtd><m:mn>6</m:mn><m:mi>x</m:mi><m:mo>+</m:mo><m:mn>4</m:mn><m:mi>y</m:mi><m:mo>=</m:mo><m:mn>3</m:mn></m:mtd></m:mtr></m:mtable></m:mrow></m:mrow></m:math>
Because this math is provided as tagged text, software that supports MathML can access the actual math content.
For example, BrailleBlaster software can generate braille math automatically using the MathML.

6. Software and MathML
Although MathML has always been an option (and recommended) for NIMAS, not all software and device manufacturers have developed support for it.
Your software may or may not have the ability to successfully translate MathML.
Software that is unable to work with MathML may generate an error or fail to work at all.

7. Fallback Images
The good news is that, even if your software can’t work with MathML, all files that contain MathML also include the math as image files.
These files are referred to as “fallback images” as they can be made available if your software can’t use the MathML.

8. “No-MathML” Download option
If the file provided to the NIMAC contains MathML, but your software does not support MathML, the NIMAC now offers a “No-MathML” download option.
Choosing this option will remove the MathML code from the file and provide the images instead.
Files downloaded with this option will function like any other NIMAS file.

9. How do I know if a file includes MathML?
Only files that contain MathML will show “With MathML” or “No MathML” in the download options when you select “Add to My Downloads” in the NIMAC system.
So you will always know at the point of download whether the file has MathML or not.

10. MathML metadata
The View Details page for any record in the NIMAC will also show if MathML is included.

11. MathML in the XML file
If you have already downloaded the file and are encountering a problem, you can also check to see if the file contains MathML by opening the XML file and searching for “mathml.”
If you see MathML referenced at the top of the file, this indicates that the file includes MathML code.

12. File Download Options
All files in the NIMAC provide these three download options:
Full Download (includes images)
XML Download (excludes images)
PDF-Only Download (includes PDF* only)
*The NIMAC does not receive complete PDFs for any book. The PDF download only includes the title page and copyright page for the book. These pages can be used to verify that you’ve located the correct file before downloading the file set, if you wish.

13. (File does not include MathML)

14. File Download Options: MathML
Files that include MathML can also be downloaded either with or without the images.
They can also be downloaded with or without MathML.
The four download options are:
Full Download – With MathML (includes images)
Full Download – No MathML (includes images)
XML Download – With MathML (excludes images)
PDF-Only Download (PDF* only)
*The NIMAC does not receive full PDFs for any book. The PDF download only includes the title page and copyright page for the book. These pages can be used to verify that you’ve located the correct file before downloading the file set, if you wish.

15. (Option when file includes MathML)

16. Can I download the file more than once? (Yes!)
If you download the file with MathML and then find that your software can’t work with it, you can always download the file again without MathML.
There is no limit to the number of times you can download a file.

17. MathML Downloads – My Downloads page
A file with MathML that is selected without removing the MathML will show in the My Downloads page as just “Full” or “XML.”
If you select Full Download – No MathML as the download option, this will show on the My Downloads page as Download Type “Full (Replace MathML).”
You’ll want to keep this in mind if you download the same title more than once.

18. My Downloads

19. For More Help
For any questions about using the NIMAC system, or help in working with a file, please feel free to contact us for assistance: