# Is it possible to get LyX to display non-standard symbols?

I currently need the symbol \mapsfrom, available in the package stmaryrd. If I input \mapsfrom in math-mode, then it is not replaced by a graphical representation of the symbol.

Is it possible to get LyX to display such "non-standard" symbols, and if so, then how?

A method that does not use Tools > Preferences... > Display > Display Graphics would be preferable :)

• Out of curiosity, why are you nixing Tools / Prefs / … / Display Graphics? – Sean Allred May 14 '14 at 17:00
• What version of LyX are you using? Under LyX 2.1.0 \mapsfrom is replaced by a graphical representation of the symbol. – Werner May 14 '14 at 18:24
• @Werner: LyX 2.0.6 on Ubuntu. I see this is different in the daily version (2.2.0dev): \mapsfrom is replaced by (graphical \leftarrow)mapsfromchar. @Sean: I prefer not to have the graphics shown in general -- that the representation changes when I enter/exit math annoys me a little :) – Rasmus May 14 '14 at 18:52
• @Rasmus: Then update and live happily ever after... – Werner May 14 '14 at 18:54
• @Werner: I update to the stable version 2.1, and indeed, it looks neat :) But if LyX 2.1 is short of a graphical representation, is there something I can do? – Rasmus May 14 '14 at 19:16

The characters are defined in lib/symbols and lib/unicodesymbols. These are just text files and are easily editable. It takes a little bit of time to understand how to add support, but everything you need to know (examples and instructions) are in those files.