How to Write LaTeX Using Overleaf

Writing LaTeX with Overleaf.com

One of the easiest ways to write $\LaTeX$ online is to use Overleaf. This guide shows the basic flow: create an account, start your first project, and compile your document.

Registration and Initial Setup

1. Open the Overleaf website

Visit https://www.overleaf.com/.

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2. Click Register

You will be taken to the registration page.

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Enter your email address and password, then click Register using your email. After that, confirm the account from the verification email.

Creating Your First Project

3. Click Create First Project

After signing in, Overleaf will prompt you to create your first project.

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4. Choose Blank Project

For a fresh start, select the blank project option.

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5. Name the project

Type a project name that matches your document or task.

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Writing and Compiling the Document

6. Start writing and click Recompile

The editor appears on the left side, while the compiled output appears on the right. After writing text or $\LaTeX$ commands, click Recompile to see the updated result.

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Overleaf Menus and Features

7. Understand the main editor controls

The image below highlights the main controls that are commonly used when working in Overleaf.

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Reference:

1. Main menu button.
2. Return to the project dashboard.
3. New File to create a new file.
4. New Folder to create a new folder.
5. Upload to upload files.
6. Rename to rename a file or project.
7. Delete to remove a file.
8. The main $\LaTeX$ document name with the .tex extension.
9. Change tracking for the document.
10. Share the project by email.
11. Send the document to another service.
12. Project history.
13. Collaboration chat.
14. Full-screen document view.
15. Download the document.
16. Build notifications.
17. Recompile button.
18. Fit the document to page width.
19. Fit the document to page height.
20. Zoom in.
21. Zoom out.

Practical Tips

After editing the document, get used to pressing Recompile often so you can catch errors quickly.

• Yellow warnings usually indicate minor issues and can often be ignored temporarily.
• Red warnings usually indicate fatal errors that must be fixed before the document compiles properly.
• To leave Overleaf, open the account menu and choose Logout.

That is the basic workflow for writing $\LaTeX$ with Overleaf. Once you are comfortable with the editor, you can continue with packages, images, tables, and mathematical notation.