The EQS() function is automatically inserted when the "Show Equation" button on the XLC toolbar is used. Equation graphic are drawn over EQS() functions using the font attributes of the cell containing the EQS() function.

The EQS() function takes two parameters, a cell reference whose formula will be displayed and an equation control string . Cells containing the EQS() function can be copied like any other cell from which new equation graphics will be generated when the "Redraw Equations" button on the XLC toolbar is clicked.

The flash tutorial below shows how the appearance of an equation is controlled by XLC's EQS() function. Use the green arrows to move forward and back through the tutorial.

ADVANCED: What is the equation control string?

An example of an equation control strings is:

"Units= mm2; EqnPrefix=Eqn. ; EqnNo= 1; Multiplication= 0; ShowWorking= 0; EqnStyle= 0; Eqp 1"

Units - the units of the equation (mm² will be displayed in the above example). The default is empty or blank (i.e. no units shown in equation graphic).

EqnPrefix - defines the letter prefixing the equation number. The default is Eqn but a user default can be set by selecting the "about XLC and settings" button on the XLC toolbar.EqnNo

EqnNo - defines the equation number this is automatically set by XLC and should not be altered. Equations are numbered from left to right and from top to bottom.

Multiplication - 0 multiplication signs will be removed between variables; 1 multiplication signs will always be shown. The default is 0 but a user default can be set by selecting the "About XLC and Settings" button on the XLC toolbar. The default multiplication character is "·" (a full stop or period at mid height) but "x" or "*" may be set by selecting the "about XLC and settings" button on the XLC toolbar.

ShowWorking – 0 to show algebraic names; 1 to show numerical values. The default is 0 but a user default can be set by selecting the "about XLC and settings" button on the XLC toolbar.

EqnStyle - 0 for 'top' vertical alignment; 1 for 'mid' vertical alignment. The default is 0 but a user default can be set by selecting the "About XLC and Settings" button on the XLC toolbar. Also note that EqnStyle = 2 produces a formatted text equation string. This might be useful if you wish to copy sections of a formulae into a word-processor.

Eqp 1 - is the name of the graphic generated by the EQS() function it is automatically set by XLC and should not be altered.

The 'about XLC and settings' form