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Using Overleaf for LaTex

Overleaf is a popular LaTeX/Rich Text-based online collaborative scientific writing and publishing tool for students and researchers. It is designed to make the process of writing, editing, and producing scientific papers quicker and easier for authors.

Getting Started!

To create a new project, click on the New Project button on the left-hand side, then select Blank Project. 

overleaf screenshot with new project menu opened and blank project selected

 

Click New Project on the left-hand side. See the templates among the choices in the New Project menu.

screenshot overleaf new project menu open and highlight to template area.

 

View the Gallery to select a template.

Screenshot Overleaf Homework Gallery

 

Once you have selected a template, choose Open as Template.

screenshot of an overleaf template page and an arrow pointing to the Open at template button

 

Once you've either created a new project or opened a template, the editor will pop up. On the left-hand side, you can make edits, and on the right-hand side, you'll see the edits update in real-time.  This image shows LaTex editing on the left-hand side.

screenshot overleaf editing page

Click on the Rich Text button on the left-hand side (top), to view the left-hand side in Rich Text instead of LaTex.

screenshot Overleaf editing page with an arrow to Rich Text at the top of the left-hand side editor.

 

To add to the project (such as uploading an image), look to the blue menu all the left. You'll find a file icon (upload a file), a folder icon (create a new folder), and an upload icon).

screenshot overleaf editng page with the alf tag showing under the new file icon.

 

 

 

There are 3 ways to share your project:  send a pdf, add a collaborator, and share via link. 

Add a collaborator

1. Click on the Share button and add collaborators using their email addresses.  Note the free account only allows sharing with one collaborator.

2. Find the share button in the very top menu,  towards the middle of the page. 

Screenshot overlead menu with arrow pointing to the share button.

3. Add your collaborator by email address address and choose the permissions you'd like to give them.

screenshare overleaf share pop-up

 

Share via link

1. Click Share in the top menu,

screenshot overleaf with red arrow to sharing button

 

2. Click the Turn on link sharing link

overleaf-share window popup

3.  Select the appropriate link for sharing

overleaf screenshot link sharing options