If I understand the question correctly, I think the answer is true. My reasoning is that each formula for the molecules used in a reaction are set and can't be modified to make it easier to balance or else the reaction would change fundamentally.
an example of this is H₂+1/2O₂⇒H₂O. You can't change the H₂O to H₂O₂ to make the reaction cleaner. Water and hydrogen peroxide are two different chemicals and therefore can't be interchanged with out changing the fundamental qualities of the reaction