Using the Workbook Canvas in Modmath 4.0

The Modmath canvas is an infinite, scrollable workspace, where you write and organize math problems. This article covers the toolbar, tools, and everything you can do on the canvas.

Navigating the Canvas

Action	How
Pan	Click and drag (mouse or trackpad)
Zoom in / out	Pinch (touch) or Shift + Scroll (desktop)

 

The Primary Toolbar

The toolbar runs along the bottom of the canvas. From left to right:

Tool	What it does	Image
Keypad	Tap a cell and enter numbers, operators, or symbols
Draw Custom Shapes	Freehand drawing with your finger or stylus, draw straight lines, or create a graph
Text Tool	Tap canvas to add text; click existing text box to edit text; adjust size using corners. Use sidebar to rotate, duplicate, or delete text.
Erase Drawing	Erase straight lines, drawn shapes, or graphs
Erase Cells	Clear individual or selected cells
Borrow and Carry	Strike through numbers and enter borrowed/carried digits
Fractions	Numerator over denominator, enter digits
Exponents	Tap cell and enter subscript number(s) above base
Negative Numbers	Tap cell with number to add negative symbol
Variables	Tap cell to enter variable next to number
Highlight Equations	Tap individual cell to highlight; tap cell again to remove highlight
Select	Tap or drag to select cells
Select Imports	Tap to select imports, drag to move, use corners to resize imports
Import Assignments	Import a file, photo, or Google Drive document onto the canvas

 

Secondary Toolbar

This toolbar appears on the right side of the canvas when the Draw Custom Shapes tool is selected.

Tool	What it does	Image
Draw Straight Lines	Hold and drag the endpoints to adjust the length and position of the line.
Draw Freehand Lines	Freehand draw lines on the canvas.
Draw Graphs	Drag to left/right to adjust the horizontal axis and drag up/down to adjust the vertical axis.
Width	Adjust the width of the line stroke; thin, medium, thick, heavy.
Color	Change the color of the lines/ graphs drawn; black, red, blue, green, yellow.

 

Writing in Cells

With the keypad tool selected, tap any empty cell on the canvas to open the keypad. Type your content using the virtual keypad. Tap another cell to move there.
 

Selecting and Moving Cells

1. Tap the Select tool in the toolbar.
2. Tap a cell to select it, or drag across multiple cells.
3. Drag the selection to move it to a new position.

Selected cells can also be erased in one step — tap the Erase cells button while cells are selected.

 

Drawing

1. Tap the Draw custom shapes tool, then tap the Draw straight lines, Draw freehand lines, or Draw graphs tool in the secondary toolbar on the right side.
2. Draw anywhere on the canvas with your finger, stylus, or mouse.

To erase a freehand stroke, switch to the Erase Drawing tool and drag over it.

 

Importing Images and Files

Tap the Import button to import content directly onto the canvas:

• File Library — Open a file from your device (image or .modmath file)
• Camera — Take a photo of a printed worksheet
• Google Drive — Select a file from Google Drive

Imported images can be moved, resized, rotated, and duplicated. You can draw on top of them.

Lines

Tap the Draw Custom Shapes tool and click the Draw Straight Lines tool to draw a straight horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line. Lines are useful for creating answer blanks, separators, angles, or equation result lines. Hold and drag the endpoints to adjust the length and position.

Annotations

The keypad includes tools for adding the following to your work:

• Fractions — Numerator over denominator
• Exponents — Superscript numbers above a base
• Highlights — Color-coded cell backgrounds
• Crossouts — Strike through numbers
• Carries — Small digit above a cell for regrouping

 

Automatic Features

Modmath does do some things for you automatically:

• Equation lines — A horizontal line appears below an arithmetic expression (e.g. an addition or subtraction column) automatically.
• Vinculum — When you type the long division symbol ⟌, a horizontal line draws above the dividend cells automatically.

 

Exporting Your Work

To save a copy of your workbook as a file, tap the Three Dots (next to Workbook name) and click the Save button. A native .modmath file is saved to your device. Native .modmath files can be shared and opened with other Modmath users, like your teacher. See Saving and Exporting Your Work for more.

To export your workbook as a PDF, tap the Three Dots and select Export. PDF files are useful when you want to share a read only version of your work. 
 

Need additional help?

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