WPS Formula Recognition helps you recognize formulas from photos, albums, or files and insert them into a document as editable content; it includes 2 core tasks, 0 available without membership, and 2 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 2 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 0 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 2 | Matches the number of membership-required rows in the index |
| Version limit | None | Stated in the feature details |
About This Feature
Overview
Formula Recognition is a formula recognition feature in WPS for iOS documents. It converts formulas in images into editable formulas and inserts them into the current document.
Core tasks include:
- Capture a formula with the camera and insert the recognized result into the document.
- Import a formula from Photos or Files and insert the recognized result into the document.
This feature is useful for class notes, homework entry, research excerpts, and lecture handout editing. When a formula is difficult to type manually, you can recognize it first, then review and continue editing it in the document.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | An iPhone or iPad that can run WPS Office normally |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office for iOS |
| Network | A stable internet connection is recommended for recognition and membership verification |
| Other | Camera, Photos, or Files access permissions are required; this feature also requires a signed-in account with an active membership |
Download & Installation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Installation method | Use the WPS download center to reach the iOS download entry, or search for WPS Office in the App Store and install it |
| Post-installation check | Open a document, tap Tools, then Insert, and confirm that Formula Recognition is available |
Source: WPS Download Center
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | On iOS, WPS can recognize formulas from the camera, Photos, or Files and insert the result into a document. It supports common formulas used in math, physics, and chemistry. | Word on mobile can insert and edit equations in linear format. Microsoft also documents Ink to Math for converting handwritten equations into formatted equations, mainly in Office experiences that support pen or touch input. | Google Docs lets you use equations, but its official iPhone and iPad help page states that to edit equations, you need to open the document on a computer. | Notion supports block equations and inline equations, rendered with KaTeX, which is suitable for typing equation content directly. | Acrobat focuses on OCR and PDF workflows. Adobe states that OCR can recognize mathematical equations, but accuracy can vary, especially for complex handwritten symbols. |
| Official Source | — | Write an equation or formula; Write and edit equations in Word on a mobile device | Use equations in a document - iPhone & iPad; Use equations in a document - Computer | Math equations | Convert handwriting to text easily with OCR; What’s new in Adobe Acrobat on desktop |
Advantage: WPS is designed for recognizing formulas from images and inserting them into a document.; It provides both camera capture and import-based recognition on mobile, which is practical when you need to bring paper or screenshot formulas into an editable iOS document.
Overall Conclusion
WPS is a practical choice when your main goal is to bring formulas from paper, screenshots, or saved images into an iOS document quickly. If you mainly type equations manually, Microsoft, Google, and Notion each provide their own equation editing approach. If your work centers on scanned PDFs and OCR workflows, Adobe is more oriented toward document processing.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable Users | Main Pain Point | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Organizing classroom board notes | Students, teachers | Many formulas on the board take time to retype | Capture the formula and insert it into class notes |
| 2 | Entering homework and question banks | Students, tutors, educators | Formula-heavy questions are difficult to type manually | Import a screenshot from Photos and recognize the formula |
| 3 | Extracting research material | Researchers | Formulas in paper screenshots are hard to recreate | Import an image or file and insert the recognized formula |
| 4 | Editing handouts and notes | Teachers, trainers | Need to add formulas quickly on mobile | Place the cursor and recognize a formula directly into the document |
| 5 | Reviewing recognized formulas | All users | Complex nested formulas may still need correction | Preview the result, then check and adjust it after insertion |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Capability | Free | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Formula Recognition | Not available | Available |
| Basic document viewing and editing | Available for basic use | Available |
| Additional advanced features and template benefits | Some features are limited | More advanced features are available based on account benefits |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Usage Scenario | Recommended Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional viewing and editing of regular documents | Free | If you do not need formula recognition, the basic document features may be enough |
| Frequent entry of textbook, test, or research formulas | WPS Premium | Formula Recognition requires membership and is more suitable for frequent formula work |
| Ongoing formula organization on mobile | WPS Premium | It can reduce manual input time and makes it easier to continue editing and reviewing formulas |
How to Subscribe
- Subscription page: Get WPS Premium
- To review current plans and benefit details, visit the official WPS purchase page.
Source: WPS Office pricing page