Screenshot to LaTeX on Mac
Printed equations in slides, papers, and textbooks are hard to retype. ClariRec Pro can send a formula screenshot to your configured vision-language provider and return LaTeX you can preview and copy.
This is a user-triggered Pro feature, not automatic OCR. Normal text recognition stays on the default System OCR path unless you choose otherwise.
What it is (and is not)
It is
- Screenshot → LaTeX for printed mathematical formulas
- Local KaTeX preview in the result window
- One-click copy of the LaTeX source
- BYOK: you bring the VLM provider and pay that provider for usage
It is not
- A free built-in math model hosted by ClariRec
- Handwriting recognition as a dedicated product promise
- Automatic — nothing is sent until you click the formula action or run a formula test
Requirements
- ClariRec on macOS 14+
- ClariRec Pro (one-time purchase), or restore purchase on another Mac with the same Apple ID
- A formula-capable BYOK provider configured: Custom Vision API / Custom API or Qwen
- A model that accepts image input and can return structured formula output reliably
Mistral AI can be used for OCR and translation in ClariRec, but not for formula recognition today.
Setup
- Open Settings → Providers → Formula Recognition.
- Configure Custom API or Qwen (API key; Base URL / model as needed).
- Run Test Formula in the panel to verify the provider returns usable LaTeX.
- Unlock or restore ClariRec Pro if needed.
- Set the formula provider as the current formula engine.
Field-by-field help: API key guide.
For Custom API, choose a vision-capable chat model. A text-only model may pass basic auth and still fail formula tests.
How to recognize a formula
- Capture the formula with
⌥S(tight selection around the equation works best). - In the result window, click the formula action.
- Wait for the provider response.
- Preview the rendered result (local KaTeX — no network request for rendering).
- Copy the LaTeX source into your notes, paper, or editor.
Only the current screenshot image for that action is sent to your configured VLM endpoint. ClariRec does not relay it through ClariRec-operated servers.
Tips for better LaTeX
- Crop tightly; avoid unrelated paragraph text in the same selection
- Prefer clear, high-contrast printed formulas over blurry phone photos
- If the preview looks wrong, adjust the selection and run formula recognition again
- Keep the LaTeX source as the source of truth — preview is for checking, not for editing glyphs by hand inside ClariRec
Privacy and cost
| Item | Behavior |
|---|---|
| When data leaves your Mac | Only when you click formula recognition or Formula Provider Test |
| Where it goes | Directly to the Custom API or Qwen endpoint you configured |
| Rendering | Local KaTeX resources bundled with the app |
| ClariRec servers | None for formula content |
| API cost | Billed by your provider, separate from the Pro purchase |
Pro unlocks the feature inside ClariRec. It does not include provider credits.
Troubleshooting
Formula provider is missing or disabled
Confirm you configured Custom API or Qwen under the Formula Recognition segment, and that Pro is unlocked.
Test Formula fails
Check API key, endpoint, model name, and that the model accepts images. Review provider quota and region limits.
LaTeX is incomplete or wrong
Retake a tighter screenshot. Try another vision model on Custom API if your current model is weak at equations.
You only needed plain text
Use normal OCR instead. Formula recognition is optional and separate from System OCR.
Related
API keys · Screenshot OCR · FAQ · Local OCR
