FR: Display LaTeX formulas when embedding markdown as images

[Fkaule]

Have you searched for existing issues (including closed ones)?

• Yes, I have searched the existing issues.

Does this bug persist in a new vault with only Excalidraw installed?

• Yes, I have verified the issue persists.

Your environment

SYSTEM INFO:
Obsidian version: v1.8.9
Installer version: v1.6.7
Operating system: Darwin Kernel Version 24.3.0: Thu Jan 2 20:24:16 PST 2025; root:xnu-11215.81.4~3/RELEASE_ARM64_T6000 24.3.0
Login status: logged in
Language: en
Catalyst license: none
Insider build toggle: off
Live preview: on
Base theme: adapt to system
Community theme: none
Snippets enabled: 0
Restricted mode: off
Plugins installed: 1
Plugins enabled: 1
1: Excalidraw v2.8.3

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Community plugins: for bugs, please first try updating all your plugins to latest. If still not fixed, please try to make the issue happen in the Sandbox Vault or disable community plugins.

Your NotebookLM query

Question

Please Answer in english.
Is there a solution to my problem:
When embedding a markdown file as an image in Excalidraw, LaTeX formulas within that markdown file do not render correctly—they are simply not visible. This limits the utility of markdown embedding significantly, as I intended to use markdown primarily for creating tables (which Excalidraw itself doesn't support). However, the tables require LaTeX formulas to represent units such as mm².

Answer

The sources and our conversation history discuss embedding Markdown files as images in Excalidraw, but they don't provide a direct solution for rendering LaTeX formulas correctly within those embedded images. The sources do offer several potential workarounds and related insights:
•
Annotation of Images in Markdown: You can use Excalidraw to annotate images in Markdown notes via the Command Palette using the "Annotate Image in Excalidraw" option. This creates an overlay without modifying the original image.
•
Crop and Mask Image Action: Extract images from PDF files and use them in Excalidraw while maintaining a link to the original PDF file by using the "Crop and Mask Image" action.
•
Converting Text Fields: Convert text fields in Excalidraw into embedded Markdown files, which might allow for creating tables and LaTeX formulas.
•
Markdown View: Add and edit front matter in the Markdown view, which could be relevant for configuring LaTeX-related settings.
•
Front Matter Customization: Customize the appearance of embedded Markdown files via front matter keys (e.g., font, color, border color). However, the sources don't explicitly mention whether this affects LaTeX rendering.
•
Plugin Compatibility: Some plugins may cause incompatibilities. Consider whether any of those plugins are interfering with LaTeX rendering in Excalidraw.
•
Manual Update Workaround: Create a text field and insert the LaTeX code there. After a change, manually save with Ctrl+S to force an update.
Other relevant points from the sources:
•
Drag and Drop: Embed files into Excalidraw by dragging and dropping them from the file explorer.
•
Modifier Keys: Use modifier keys (Ctrl, Shift, Alt) when inserting files to influence the embedding behavior.
•
File Management: Excalidraw keeps file names in sync and can automatically export embedded files.
Given that the sources don't offer a direct fix, it's recommended to try the workarounds and raise an issue on GitHub to report the problem to the developer.

Describe the bug

When embedding a markdown file as an image in Excalidraw, LaTeX formulas within that markdown file do not render correctly—they are simply not visible. This limits the utility of markdown embedding significantly, as I intended to use markdown primarily for creating tables (which Excalidraw itself doesn't support). However, the tables require LaTeX formulas to represent units such as mm².

Steps to reproduce

1. Create a markdown file containing a table with LaTeX formulas, for example:

Area	Unit
Sample Area	$mm^2$

2. Embed this markdown file as an image into Excalidraw.
3. Check the resulting embedded image in Excalidraw.

Expected behavior

LaTeX expressions embedded in markdown files should be correctly rendered when these files are embedded into Excalidraw.

Additional context

No response

[zsviczian]

You mean embedding markdown as an image not as an interactive page?

[Fkaule]

You mean embedding markdown as an image not as an interactive page?

Yes!