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Problem Description
Currently, ClickUp Docs displays LaTeX math formulas only as raw source code. For example, entering a matrix:
\begin{bmatrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{bmatrix}
does not render a visual matrix; the plain text is shown instead. This makes mathematical expressions nearly unreadable and forces users to take screenshots or generate images of formulas externally, breaking the writing flow. The lack of math rendering is a major reason why engineering, data science, and research teams cannot consolidate their documentation fully into ClickUp.
Technical Feasibility
Rendering LaTeX math on the web is a solved problem with mature, lightweight JavaScript libraries:
  • KaTeX (recommended) – Developed by Khan Academy. Extremely fast, small bundle size, supports a large subset of LaTeX including matrices (\begin{bmatrix}...\end{bmatrix}). Used natively by Notion as its math engine.
  • MathJax – Offers the most complete LaTeX support, including complex AMS packages. Slightly heavier than KaTeX but highly reliable.
  • MathLive – A more advanced Web Component that provides an editable math field (<math-field>) and a static renderer (<math-span>), supporting 800+ LaTeX commands with built-in accessibility.
All three can be loaded via npm or CDN (e.g., jsDelivr) and require no server-side processing. The typical implementation pattern is:
  1. Users type LaTeX source between delimiters ($...$ for inline, $$...$$ for block) in the editor.
  2. In preview/read mode, the rendering layer scans the content and replaces the source with SVG/HTML output using KaTeX or MathJax.
  3. Edit mode could optionally use MathLive’s <math-field> to provide live preview while editing.
Competitive Landscape
A comparison with tools that teams often use alongside or instead of ClickUp:
  • Notion – Full native LaTeX support powered by KaTeX. Supports inline formulas (via Ctrl+E or $...$) and block formulas (/math), including matrices. Considered the gold standard for technical notes.
  • Confluence – No native LaTeX renderer. Users must install and pay for third-party Marketplace apps (e.g., LaTeX Math for Confluence) that use MathJax, adding cost and administrative overhead.
  • HackMD – Native LaTeX in Markdown documents, with real-time collaborative editing and instant rendering. Widely used by technical writers.
  • Obsidian – Native LaTeX formula rendering via built-in MathJax. A benchmark in the personal knowledge management space.
  • Dropbox Paper – Has robust LaTeX math rendering. Frequently cited by ClickUp users as a reference implementation for how Docs could work.
  • ClickUp Docs – No math rendering engine available. This is the current gap.
Testing Environment
  • Platform: Web
  • Browser: Microsoft Edge 147
  • ClickUp Docs version: Current production version
  • Test date: 2026-04-26
  • Steps to reproduce:
1. Create a new ClickUp Doc
2. Paste the LaTeX matrix code \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix}
3. Observe that only raw source text is shown; no rendered matrix appears
Recommended Approach
  1. Phase 1 – Integrate KaTeX and support $...$ (inline) and $$...$$ (block) delimiter syntax to cover common math expressions (matrices, fractions, integrals, sums, etc.).
  2. Phase 2 – Add a visual formula editor panel to lower the barrier for users unfamiliar with LaTeX syntax.
  3. Follow the interaction model proven by Notion: a keyboard shortcut inserts a math block, users edit LaTeX source, and the output renders in real time.
Business Impact
The absence of math rendering prevents many engineering, data, and research teams from adopting ClickUp as their single documentation hub. These users are forced to maintain documents across both ClickUp and other platforms (Notion, Obsidian, Confluence with plugins, etc.), fragmenting workflows and reducing the value of ClickUp Docs. Multiple community requests (some dating back to 2019) describe this as a “deal-breaker” – closing this gap would unlock a significant, technically skilled user segment.

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