Research Guides: Mathematics & Statistics Resources: \(\LaTeX\) Resources

Getting started with \(\LaTeX \)

\(\LaTeX\) (usually typed out as LaTeX) is a free and open-source markup language used in Mathematics and Statistics (as well as other disciplines) and was developed to simplify the creation of well-formatted documents with mathematical notation.

Using LaTeX requires a text editor to create a .tex file and a \(\TeX\) distribution to compile the .tex into a formatted document. (TeX is another typesetting system that forms the basis for LaTeX.)

TeX distributions

MiKTeX
A cross-platform TeX distribution, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
MacTeX
A TeX distribution specifically for machines running on Mac OS.
TeX Live
A cross-platform TeX distribution for Windows and Unix/GNU/Linux.

Text editors

There are many freely-available text editors available. A few specific suggestions are provided below, along with a link to a more extensive list:

TeXworks
TeXworks is a cross-platform LaTeX editor included in MiKTeX and TeX Live. If you've installed either of those TeX distributions, you should already have TeXworks.
Texmaker
A cross-platform LaTeX editor which includes a document preview feature.
Notepad++
Not LaTeX-specific, but a good open-source text editor which includes visual formatting for .tex files.
Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a great all-purpose text editor which includes visual formatting for .tex files, but continued use requires purchasing a license.

Cloud-based LaTeX:

Overleaf
A cloud-based LaTeX editor and compiler which allows for collaboration. Provides a free-to-use tier, with some functionality reserved for paid accounts.
Authorea
Authorea is a cloud-based platform for collaborative academic writing which includes LaTeX as an option. A free membership with limited functionality is available.