Getting started with LaTex
  1. If you already have an Overleaf account, then you can go to the next step.
    If you do not have an Overleaf account, then register for a (free) Overleaf account by going to Overleaf/register.
    Follow the register instructions (just need email address and password).
  2. Watch the 2 minute video at Writing a basic LaTeX document with overleaf.
  3. Create an Overleaf Project called HWtemplate.
    1. Log into your Overleaf account at Overleaf.
    2. Select the New Project icon (left column tool bar with green background), and then from the drop down selction chose Blank Project.
      A window should pop up asking you to name your "New Project".
    3. Name your New Project HWtemplate.
      Then click the Create icon (botton right with green background).
    4. Your new project will pop up and look similar to the video for Step 2. You should see 3 columns: file list, editor, and recompile. If needed, adjust your 3 columns widths so that you see all 3 columns. You might just want to make your brower window wider.
  4. Download our course homework LaTex template to your computer.
    Our course homework Latex templete (a Latex file ending in .tex, e.g. template.tex) is on the course page in the LaTex section.
    Warning. You proabaly will not be able to open (read/see) this Latex (.tex) file on your computer.
    Don't worry, you don't need to. There are several ways of to download and what works for you will depend on, e.g.: which type of computer you use, how you have your computer set up, and which web browser you are using. Note in both ways, on your computer, the Latex file is never actually opened but is rather just saved.
    Way 1:
    1. On the course homework page, left mouse click on the Latex file, which will (might) save it somewhere on your computer (usually to the "Downloads" folder).
    2. Check your "Downloads" folder to see if the Latex file is there. If you are using a a file manager , it might help to sort by "modified-or-time" rather than "Name".
    Way 2:
    1. On the course homework page, right mouse click on the Latex file
    2. from the pull down menu that pops up, left mouse click on "Save Link as ..."
    3. a file manager window pops up up allowing you to save the LaTex file (FileName.tex) to your computer in a folder of your choice.
  5. Upload our course homework LaTex template from your computer to your HWtemplate Overleaf project.
    1. On Overleaf, go to your HWtemplate project. From the 2nd-from-the-top horizontial bar, left click on the "upload" icon (has an uparrow above a filing box).
    2. A pop-up window pops up. From the left column, under "Add Filed", using a left click select "Upload".
    3. On the right column of this pop up window, there is a choice of two way: (just one one way):
      • "Drag here" (good if your file manager is already open)
      • "select from your computer" (will open your file manager for you).
    4. On Overleaf's first column, left click to select the .tex file you just put into Overleaf. In Overleaf's middle column, the Latex template your just uploaded should appear.
    5. In Overleaf's last column's top bar, hit the green "(Re)-compile" button and the PDF file correcsponding to the Latex file should appear.
  6. Personalize your HWtemplate.
    1. On the first few lines of the source file (in middle column) there are some questions marks (for items such as your name). Replace the question marks with the needed information (as well as you can now). Recompile and look at the header (top of the page). Your personal information should now be there.
    2. Delete the main.tex auto-generated file (we will not be using it).
Congratulations!   You now are all set up to use Overleaf.
  • By double clicking (with left mouse key) at a place in the PDF file, Overleaf indicates the corresponging place in the TeX file. This feature makes it easy to navigate between the LaTex input and PDF output.
  • Don't forget, if so needed, click the Recompile icon.
  1. Creating your first LaTex homework and exporting your homework PDF to your computer.
    • As explained at Overleaf Help Copying a project, copy your HWtemplate project to a project for your new HW.
      Since the name you give your project will the be name used when exporting your completed homework, give your new project a descriptive name such as HW1 (or ER1.2.3).
    • Working in your HW1 project on Overleaf, do HW1.
    • As explained at Exporting your work from Overleaf, export your project as a PDF file to your computer.
  2. If your class is submitting the HW via Blackboard, upload (the PDF file) of your HW to Blackboard.
    If your class is submitting HW in class, then print (one-sided) your HW's PDF file from your computer to turn in.
    You do NOT hand in the Latex file.
  3. Do you thinking land on paper before you go to Overleaf.
  4. Don't forget there are Latex Resources on the course homepage for additional Latex help.
  5. You need to use the provided course homework Latex template's formating.

Findable from URL: http://people.math.sc.edu/girardi/