LaTeX Guide : Introduction
This guide includes links to software, tutorials, and templates to get you started using LaTeX typesetting and citing souces with BibTeX.
What is LaTeX?
LaTeX (pronounced "lah-tech" or "lay-tech") is a free document preparation mark-up language that allows for high quality typesetting. It is used most often for documents that are complex in structure or require typesetting of mathematics. It is an alternative to using a word processor to format your document. In LaTeX the text of the document is marked-up using LaTeX commands to determine formatting, similar to using CSS to format HTML.
LaTeX contains features for:
- Sectioning, cross-references, tables and figures
- Typesetting of complex mathematical formulas
- Advanced typesetting of mathematics with AMS-LaTeX
- Automatic generation of bibliographies and indexes
- Multi-lingual typesetting
- Inclusion of artwork, and process or spot color
- Using PostScript or Metafont fonts
Quick links
-
LaTeX ProjectLearn more about LaTeX. The LaTeX Project site includes information about LaTeX, where to get the software, and updates to the system.
-
TeX Users Group (TUG)A membership-based, nonprofit organization for TeX users. The TUG website includes guides for getting started, information on where to get help with TeX, and events for members.
-
Comprehensive TeX Archive Network (CTAN)The central repository for TeX-related software. Most packages are free to download and use.
Getting software
Linux
Check your usual software source for a TeX package; otherwise install TeX Live directly.
MacOS
The MacTeX distribution contains everything you need.
Windows
Both MikTeX and TeX Live will work for Windows.
Other options
-
Get LaTeXA variety of options for getting up and running with LaTeX, from the LaTeX project.
-
OverleafOverleaf is an online collaborative writing and publishing tool for scientific documents. Overleaf provides a LaTeX editor, real-time collaboration, and the fully compiled output is produced automatically in the background as you type.
