How to Write in LaTeX? | LaTeX in 15 Minutes

If you’ve ever spent hours adjusting the margins of a Word document, only to have an equation break the formatting at the last moment, you know the struggle. It’s frustrating. You’re not just writing; you’re fighting with your tools.

Now imagine a system where you could write without worrying about formatting, where citations, tables, and equations align perfectly without manual intervention. That’s exactly what LaTeX offers—a way to focus on content while the system takes care of the rest.

I first encountered LaTeX when I needed to write a research paper. At first, it felt like learning a new language—commands instead of toolbars, compilation instead of instant previews. But once I got past the syntax, everything clicked. Suddenly, I wasn’t formatting; I was structuring. I wasn’t manually numbering equations or adjusting page breaks; LaTeX handled it automatically.

And that’s the key: LaTeX isn’t just a tool; it’s a way of thinking about document creation. Instead of treating a document like a digital piece of paper, LaTeX treats it as structured content that follows logical rules.

But what exactly is LaTeX, and why do researchers, engineers, and technical writers still prefer it over modern word processors? Let’s break it down

What is LaTeX? (And Why It’s More Than Just a Tool)

Most people, when they first hear about LaTeX, assume it’s just another word processor—like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but with more complexity. That’s the first mistake. LaTeX isn’t a word processor. It’s a typesetting system designed for precision, structure, and automation.

To understand LaTeX, you need to step away from the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) mindset that traditional word processors follow. Instead, LaTeX works on the principle of markup-based document preparation—you write in plain text, embedding formatting commands, and then compile it into a beautifully structured document.

The Origin of LaTeX: Why It Exists

The story of LaTeX begins with TeX, a typesetting system developed by Donald Knuth in the late 1970s. At the time, Knuth, a renowned computer scientist, was frustrated with how poorly typeset mathematical documents looked when printed. He wanted a system that could produce high-quality text, particularly for scientific and mathematical writing, without the inconsistencies of traditional typesetting.

TeX was a breakthrough, but it was also low-level and complex. In 1985, Leslie Lamport built upon TeX to create LaTeX, a more structured and user-friendly version that introduced templates, automation, and logical document structuring.

Since then, LaTeX has been the gold standard for anyone who needs precise, well-structured, and scalable documents—particularly in academic publishing, engineering, research, and technical documentation.

How LaTeX Differs from Traditional Word Processors?

LaTeX follows a content-first approach. Instead of formatting your text as you type, you write in a plain-text file using LaTeX commands, and only during the compilation process does it get converted into a formatted document.

Let’s break down what this means.

1. Separation of Content and Formatting
   • In a word processor like Microsoft Word, formatting is manual. If you change the font size of one heading, you might have to adjust others manually.
   • In LaTeX, you define the document structure at the beginning (\documentclass{article}), and the system ensures consistency throughout.
2. Markup-Based Writing (Not GUI-Based Editing)
   • Traditional word processors use visual editing (bolding, italics, font size adjustments via toolbars).
   • LaTeX uses commands like \textbf{} for bold text and \section{} for section headings.
3. Automated Numbering, References, and Bibliographies
   • With word processors, you manually number equations, tables, figures, and citations.
   • LaTeX automates all of this. If you add a new equation at the top of the document, everything renumbers automatically—no broken references.
4. Precision in Typesetting (Perfect for Technical Documents)
   • Word processors struggle with complex equations, citations, and multi-column formatting.
   • LaTeX is built for this. It follows TeX’s advanced typographical rules, making it the best tool for academic writing, research papers, and scientific documentation.

Where is LaTeX Used?

LaTeX is not a general-purpose writing tool like Word or Google Docs. It excels in areas where high precision, structure, and automation are necessary.

1. Academic Research & Scientific Publishing
   • Most mathematics, physics, and computer science journals require submissions in LaTeX format.
   • Universities provide thesis and dissertation templates in LaTeX due to its standardization and precision.
2. Engineering & Technical Documentation
   • Engineering manuals, technical reports, and patent documents are often written in LaTeX.
   • Multi-column layouts, intricate equations, and schematics are handled better in LaTeX than in word processors.
3. Books, Reports, and Legal Documents
   • Many technical books and textbooks are formatted using LaTeX because of its scalability.
   • Legal contracts benefit from LaTeX’s consistent formatting and automatic numbering.
4. Resumes, CVs, and Presentation Slides
   • Many professionals prefer LaTeX-based resumes because they are clean, structured, and easy to update.
   • The beamer package in LaTeX is used to create high-quality presentation slides.

LaTeX is not just software; it’s a way of thinking about document preparation. Unlike word processors that encourage direct styling, LaTeX forces you to define structure first, leading to better organization, consistency, and professionalism.

Using LaTeX, you shift from a manual formatting mindset to a logical document structuring approach. You spend less time adjusting fonts and layouts and more time focusing on content and clarity.

But to truly understand how LaTeX works, you need to see it in action. Let’s break down the core principles of LaTeX and how it transforms plain text into professionally formatted documents.

How LaTeX Works?

At first glance, LaTeX might seem unusual. You don’t get a toolbar filled with font styles, alignment buttons, or color palettes. Instead, you write in plain text, embed commands, and let LaTeX handle the rest. It’s a shift in mindset—from formatting as you write to structuring content first and formatting later.

This section breaks down the core principles of LaTeX: how it processes documents, why it separates structure from appearance, and how this approach makes document preparation more efficient, scalable, and error-free.

1. Markup-Based Writing Instead of WYSIWYG

Most word processors follow the What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) approach—where you see text formatted in real time. LaTeX, however, follows a markup-based approach.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• In Word, you might select a title, set the font to 16px, and make it bold.
• In LaTeX, you define the structure in plain text using commands like: \section{Introduction} LaTeX then compiles the document and ensures all headings have a uniform style. If you decide later that all headings should be in a different font or size, you change it once in the document class settings, and it applies everywhere automatically.

This principle ensures that you never have to manually adjust formatting—it’s built into the document structure.

2. Compilation Process: From Plain Text to a Professionally Formatted Document

Unlike word processors that display text as you type, LaTeX follows a two-step process:

1. Write in Plain Text
   • You write content using LaTeX commands in a .tex file.
   • Commands define structure, sections, equations, and formatting.
2. Compile to Generate the Final Document
   • When you run LaTeX (e.g., pressing “Compile” in Overleaf or using pdflatex in a terminal), LaTeX interprets your file and produces a well-formatted PDF.
   • Any structural changes (like adding a new figure, reference, or equation) are automatically adjusted—no need for manual numbering or reformatting.

3. Why LaTeX Separates Content from Formatting

LaTeX follows the principle of separating content from presentation, which offers three major advantages:

• Consistency: Once you define a document style, every section, figure, and reference follows it automatically.
• Scalability: Whether you’re writing a one-page resume or a 500-page dissertation, the formatting remains structured and predictable.
• Error Reduction: No accidental font changes, inconsistent numbering, or misplaced images—LaTeX ensures the output remains clean and professional.

For example, in a research paper, you might need a standard IEEE format. Instead of manually adjusting font sizes, margins, and headings, you define it once in LaTeX:

\documentclass[conference]{IEEEtran}

Now, no matter how long the document becomes, it will always follow IEEE standards—without manual intervention.

4. A Simple LaTeX Document: The Basic Structure

To understand how LaTeX works, let’s look at the bare minimum code for a LaTeX document:

\documentclass{article}  % Defines the document type
\usepackage{graphicx}     % Enables image handling

\begin{document}         % Start of the document

\title{Understanding LaTeX}
\author{Your Name}
\date{\today}

\maketitle              % Generates the title

\section{Introduction}
LaTeX is a powerful document preparation system...

\end{document}         % End of the document

Here’s how this works:

• \documentclass{article} → Defines the document type (could also be report, book, etc.).
• \usepackage{graphicx} → Loads a package for handling images.
• \begin{document} ... \end{document} → Marks where the actual content starts and ends.
• \title{}, \author{}, and \date{} → Define the title, author, and date, which are rendered using \maketitle.
• \section{Introduction} → Creates a formatted section heading.

When compiled, this generates a structured PDF document—without any need to adjust spacing, fonts, or styles manually.

5. Key Concepts That Make LaTeX Powerful

Once you understand the basics, you can start leveraging LaTeX’s real strengths:

• Automated Numbering → Sections, equations, figures, and citations update automatically when changes are made.
• Reference Management → BibTeX or BibLaTeX handle citations without manual formatting.
• Mathematical Notation → Inline and block equations are formatted with precision.
• Document Modularity → Large documents can be split into multiple files for better organization.

For instance, let’s say you need to include mathematical equations in a document. Instead of struggling with alignment in Word, LaTeX makes it seamless:

\begin{equation}<br>E = mc^2<br>\end{equation}

LaTeX automatically numbers the equation and ensures it appears correctly formatted within the document.

6. Why This Approach is More Efficient for Large-Scale Documents

LaTeX is designed for scale. Whether you’re writing a five-page report or a 500-page technical book, it ensures:

• No formatting inconsistencies
• Automatic handling of references, citations, and numbering
• Separation of structure and appearance for better maintainability

Compare this to a Word document where:

• Adding a new section can shift tables and break formatting.
• Equation numbers must be manually updated if new ones are inserted.
• Large documents become slow and prone to crashes.

LaTeX avoids all of these issues by ensuring that once you set the structure, the formatting takes care of itself.

7. What Happens When You Compile a LaTeX Document?

Every time you compile (pdflatex document.tex or press “Compile” in Overleaf), LaTeX performs multiple steps:

1. Parses the LaTeX code → Reads and processes document structure.
2. Handles cross-references and citations → Ensures that numbering and references are updated.
3. Typesets the text → Applies typography rules for professional formatting.
4. Generates the final PDF output → Produces a polished, structured document.

If any errors occur (e.g., missing a package, syntax errors), LaTeX provides a log file with debugging information.

Now that you understand how LaTeX works and why its approach is different from traditional word processors, let’s explore how to start writing in LaTeX—covering everything from text formatting to citations, tables, and equations.

Writing in LaTeX: The Essentials

Once you understand how LaTeX processes documents, the next step is learning how to write effectively using its commands. Unlike traditional text editors, where you manually apply formatting, LaTeX requires you to define structure and let the system handle the presentation.

This section covers the essentials—text formatting, document structure, equations, tables, images, and citations—all while keeping everything scalable and automated.

Structuring a LaTeX Document

Every LaTeX document follows a structured format. You don’t just open a blank file and start typing; you define what kind of document you’re working on first.

The simplest structure looks like this:

\documentclass{article}  % Defines the document type
\begin{document}         % Marks the start of content
Hello, this is my first LaTeX document!
\end{document}           % Marks the end of content

This is enough to generate a valid document. The \documentclass{} command sets the document type. If you’re writing a research paper, you might use report or book instead of article.

Sections, Subsections, and Paragraphs

Instead of manually adjusting font sizes or bolding headings, LaTeX structures documents using predefined sectioning commands:

\section{Introduction}  
This is an introduction.  

\subsection{Background}  
This is a subsection.  

\subsubsection{Details}  
This is a sub-subsection.

Each section is automatically numbered and formatted based on the document type. If you add or remove sections, LaTeX renumbers everything for you.

To create paragraphs, simply add a blank line between text blocks:

This is the first paragraph.

This is the second paragraph.

Formatting Text

Basic text formatting in LaTeX follows a command-based approach:

• Bold: \textbf{This is bold text}
• Italic: \textit{This is italic text}
• Underline: \underline{This is underlined text}
• Typewriter font (for code snippets): \texttt{This is monospaced text}

You can also combine formatting:

\textbf{\textit{Bold and italic text}}

Unlike word processors, where formatting is manually applied, in LaTeX, you specify the formatting logically, ensuring that all similar elements follow the same style.

Mathematical Equations

One of the most powerful features of LaTeX is its ability to handle mathematical notation with precision. Unlike other editors where inserting equations can be cumbersome, LaTeX allows you to write them naturally within the text.

Inline Equations

For short equations that appear within text, use \( ... \):

Einstein's famous equation is \( E = mc^2 \).

Block Equations

For standalone equations, use the equation environment:

\begin{equation}
E = mc^2
\end{equation}

This automatically numbers the equation. If you don’t want numbering, use \[ ... \] instead:

\[
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
\]

Complex Equations

LaTeX supports advanced mathematical formatting:

\begin{equation}
x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
\end{equation}

The system ensures proper spacing, alignment, and readability, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.

Tables

Tables in LaTeX follow a structured approach using the tabular environment:

\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|}
\hline
A & B & C \\  
\hline
1 & 2 & 3 \\  
4 & 5 & 6 \\  
\hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{Example Table}
\label{table:example}
\end{table}

Each column is defined within {|c|c|c|}:

• | → Draws vertical lines
• c → Centers content (use l for left-align, r for right-align)

The \hline command creates horizontal lines, ensuring clear separation.

If you reference this table later using \ref{table:example}, LaTeX automatically updates the numbering.

Including Images

Images are handled through the graphicx package:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{graphicx}

\begin{document}

\begin{figure}[h]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{image.png}
    \caption{Example Image}
    \label{fig:example}
\end{figure}

\end{document}

Key points:

• \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{image.png} → Adjusts the image width to half the page width
• \caption{} → Adds a caption
• \label{} → Allows referencing the image

When compiled, LaTeX ensures proper image placement without breaking layout consistency.

Citations and References

Managing citations manually in a long document is a challenge. LaTeX automates this with BibTeX, a reference management system.

First, create a .bib file containing citations:

@article{einstein1905,
  author = {Albert Einstein},
  title = {Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper},
  journal = {Annalen der Physik},
  year = {1905},
  volume = {17},
  pages = {891-921}
}

Then, in your LaTeX document, reference the citation using:

\cite{einstein1905}

And at the end of the document, include:

\bibliographystyle{plain}
\bibliography{references}

LaTeX automatically generates a formatted bibliography, ensuring all references follow the required citation style.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of writing in LaTeX, let’s explore how to take LaTeX further—using custom layouts, automation, and document management techniques.

Going Deeper: LaTeX Beyond the Basics

Once you’re comfortable with LaTeX’s essential commands, the next step is unlocking its full potential. What makes LaTeX powerful is its ability to scale efficiently, automate complex formatting, and handle large documents without breaking consistency.

This section explores advanced features, including packages, macros, modular document handling, and version control, making LaTeX a robust solution for writing technical documents, research papers, and books.

Expanding LaTeX with Packages

One of LaTeX’s biggest strengths is its extensibility through packages. Packages allow you to add new functionality—whether it’s formatting, additional fonts, or specialized layouts.

To use a package, include it in the preamble:

\usepackage{graphicx}   % Enables image support
\usepackage{amsmath}    % Adds advanced math symbols
\usepackage{hyperref}   % Allows clickable hyperlinks

Some useful packages:

• geometry → Controls page margins and layout
• xcolor → Enables custom text colors
• fancyhdr → Customizes headers and footers
• minted → Provides syntax highlighting for code snippets

For example, if you need custom page margins, the geometry package makes it simple:

\usepackage[a4paper, margin=1in]{geometry}

Automating Formatting with Custom Commands (Macros)

If you find yourself using the same formatting repeatedly, you can create custom commands to simplify your workflow.

Instead of writing:

\textbf{Important:} Always back up your LaTeX files.

You can define a macro in the preamble:

\newcommand{\important}[1]{\textbf{Important:} #1}

Now, you can reuse it anywhere:

\important{Always back up your LaTeX files.}

This ensures consistency and saves time when working with large documents.

Handling Large Documents Efficiently

LaTeX is built to manage long documents like books, theses, and technical reports. Instead of writing everything in a single .tex file, you can split your content into smaller sections and include them dynamically.

1. Create separate files:

main.tex  
chapters/  
  chapter1.tex  
  chapter2.tex  
  conclusion.tex  

2. Use \include{} or \input{} in main.tex:

\documentclass{book}
\begin{document}

\include{chapters/chapter1}
\include{chapters/chapter2}
\include{chapters/conclusion}

\end{document}

The difference between the two:

• \include{} starts each file on a new page
• \input{} inserts content without page breaks

This approach keeps the document organized and prevents slow compilation times when working on large projects.

Version Control with Git and Overleaf

Unlike traditional documents, LaTeX files are plain text, making them ideal for version control. If you’re working on a collaborative project or want to track changes, Git can manage revisions.

For online collaboration, Overleaf provides a Git-enabled LaTeX editor where multiple people can edit simultaneously.

1. Clone an Overleaf project using Git:

git clone https://git.overleaf.com/your-project-id

2. Track changes with commits:

git add .
git commit -m "Updated chapter 3"
git push

This ensures that previous versions are recoverable, and formatting conflicts are avoided.

Using Bibliography Management with BibTeX

Handling citations manually in a research paper is a hassle. LaTeX automates this using BibTeX, where all references are stored in a separate .bib file.

Example of a BibTeX entry:

@article{einstein1905,
  author = {Albert Einstein},
  title = {Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper},
  journal = {Annalen der Physik},
  year = {1905},
  volume = {17},
  pages = {891-921}
}

To cite this in your document:

Einstein’s work \cite{einstein1905} revolutionized physics.

At the end of the document, include:

\bibliographystyle{plain}<br>\bibliography{references}

This automatically generates a formatted bibliography, ensuring all references follow the correct citation style.

Customizing Headers and Footers

By default, LaTeX uses simple headers and footers, but you can customize them using the fancyhdr package.

1. Load the package:

\usepackage{fancyhdr}<br>\pagestyle{fancy}

2. Define header and footer content:

\fancyhead[L]{My Document}
\fancyhead[R]{\thepage}
\fancyfoot[C]{Confidential}

This places:

• The document title on the left
• The page number on the right
• The word “Confidential” in the footer

Using Colors and Custom Fonts

To add colors, use the xcolor package:

\usepackage{xcolor}
\textcolor{red}{This is red text.}

For custom fonts, use the fontspec package (requires XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX):

\usepackage{fontspec}<br>\setmainfont{Times New Roman}

This ensures your document maintains a professional appearance while allowing for personal customization.

Now, let’s see how LaTeX is used in professional environments, from academic research to technical documentation.

Why Professionals Still Rely on LaTeX?

Despite the emergence of various word processing tools, LaTeX remains a cornerstone in professional and academic settings. Its sustained usage is attributed to its unparalleled precision, flexibility, and the quality of documents it produces. This section delves into the reasons behind LaTeX’s enduring presence, supported by data and trends observed up to 2025.

The user base of LaTeX has seen consistent growth over the years. A significant indicator of this trend is the increasing number of users on Overleaf, a popular online LaTeX editor. The platform’s user statistics are as follows:

This upward trajectory indicates a robust and growing community of LaTeX users.

LaTeX in Academic Publishing

LaTeX is widely used in academia for the communication and publication of scientific documents and technical note-taking in many fields, owing partially to its support for complex mathematical notation.

While exact percentages are challenging to ascertain, discussions within academic communities suggest that LaTeX is predominantly used in fields requiring extensive mathematical notation, such as physics, mathematics, and computer science. In contrast, disciplines like biology and humanities tend to favour traditional word processors.

Professional Preferences and Community Insights

Community discussions reveal that while LaTeX offers superior formatting capabilities, its adoption varies across disciplines. Anecdotal evidence suggests that approximately 93% of researchers may not use LaTeX, highlighting a significant portion relying on alternative tools.

Despite this, professionals who require precise control over document formatting, especially for complex equations and structured documents, continue to prefer LaTeX. Its ability to handle large documents, maintain consistency, and integrate seamlessly with version control systems makes it indispensable for many.

LaTeX’s sustained relevance among professionals is a testament to its capabilities in producing high-quality, structured documents. While its adoption varies across disciplines, the consistent growth in its user base underscores its importance in fields where document precision and complexity are paramount.

Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

LaTeX offers precision and automation, but for beginners, the learning curve can feel steep. Many new users struggle with compilation errors, formatting inconsistencies, and inefficient workflows. These issues often stem from misunderstanding LaTeX’s markup-based approach and the way it processes documents.

This section highlights common beginner mistakes, explains why they happen, and provides practical solutions to avoid them.

1. Not Understanding Compilation Errors

Unlike word processors that display changes instantly, LaTeX compiles a document before rendering output. If something is incorrect, LaTeX does not generate a readable document—it shows an error message instead.

Common mistakes that cause compilation errors:

• Forgetting \begin{document} or \end{document} → LaTeX requires clear document boundaries.
• Missing closing brackets or braces → Every { must have a matching }.
• Using reserved characters without escaping them → Characters like #, %, _, and & have special meanings in LaTeX.

Solution:

• Always check the error messages in the log output after compiling.
• Use an editor like Overleaf or TeXworks, which highlights errors.
• If an error is unclear, comment out recent changes and recompile to isolate the problem.

Example of a common mistake:

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

This is an incorrect # symbol.

\end{document}

This throws an error because # is a reserved character. The correct way:

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

This is a correct \# symbol.

\end{document}

2. Manually Numbering Sections, Equations, or Figures

Beginners often manually number equations, figures, or sections, which leads to inconsistencies when changes are made.

Incorrect approach:

\section{Introduction}
\section{1. Background}  % Manual numbering (incorrect)

Correct approach:

\section{Introduction}
\section{Background}  % LaTeX automatically numbers it correctly

For equations, never write numbers manually. Let LaTeX handle it:

\begin{equation}
E = mc^2  % Correct way to number equations
\end{equation}

If you need to reference an equation later, don’t hardcode the number—use labels:

\begin{equation}
E = mc^2
\label{eq:einstein}
\end{equation}

Equation \ref{eq:einstein} is Einstein’s mass-energy equation.

This ensures that if you add another equation above, LaTeX renumbers everything automatically.

3. Using Spaces and Empty Lines Incorrectly

LaTeX ignores multiple spaces and single line breaks. Some beginners expect extra spaces to appear in the output:

This     sentence has extra spaces.

LaTeX ignores extra spaces, so the output is:

This sentence has extra spaces.

To insert real spacing, use \quad, \hspace{} or similar commands:

This\quad sentence\quad has\quad extra\quad spaces.

For line breaks, a single enter key does nothing. Instead, use a double line break or \\:

This is the first paragraph.

This is the second paragraph.  % Correct way to create a new paragraph

This is the third paragraph.\\  % Creates a new line, but not a new paragraph

4. Not Using \usepackage{} Correctly

Many LaTeX features require external packages. Beginners often:

• Forget to load necessary packages
• Load conflicting packages

For example, if you try to insert an image without the graphicx package:

\includegraphics{image.png}  % This will fail without \usepackage{graphicx}

The correct way:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{graphicx}  % Enables image support

\begin{document}
\includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{image.png}
\end{document}

Solution:

• Always check package documentation for compatibility.
• Load packages before \begin{document}.
• Avoid loading redundant packages (e.g., babel and polyglossia together).

5. Overusing Manual Formatting Instead of Structural Elements

A common beginner mistake is treating LaTeX like a word processor—manually bolding text, adjusting font sizes, and spacing.

Wrong approach:

\textbf{Chapter 1:} \textit{Introduction}

Correct approach:

\section{Introduction}

Similarly, beginners often use \textbf{} for headings instead of the proper \section{} or \subsection{} commands. This defeats LaTeX’s automation and creates inconsistent formatting.

6. Improperly Handling Citations

Citations in LaTeX should be managed through BibTeX or BibLaTeX, but beginners often:

• Manually type references
• Forget to include a .bib file
• Misspell citation keys

A correct citation workflow:

1. Create a .bib file:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{graphicx}  % Enables image support

\begin{document}
\includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{image.png}
\end{document}

2. In your LaTeX document, cite the reference:

Knuth introduced TeX in 1986 \cite{knuth1986}.

3. At the end of the document, include:

\bibliographystyle{plain}
\bibliography{references}

LaTeX automatically formats citations based on the selected bibliography style.

7. Ignoring Log Files When Debugging Errors

When LaTeX encounters an error, it generates a log file with useful debugging information. Many beginners:

• Ignore error messages and try random fixes
• Miss critical information in the log output

For example, if a package is missing, LaTeX clearly states:

LaTeX Error: File `graphicx.sty` not found.

This means you need to install the graphicx package. In Overleaf, packages are handled automatically, but in TeX Live or MiKTeX, you may need to install missing packages manually.

Now that we’ve covered the most common errors, let’s look at how to start using LaTeX in real-world projects, from setting up an environment to writing your first document.

Should You Use LaTeX in 2025?

Over the years, I’ve seen countless developers, researchers, and writers ask the same question: “Is LaTeX still worth learning?” With modern tools like Notion, Markdown editors, and AI-assisted writing platforms, it’s a fair concern. After all, LaTeX isn’t the easiest system to pick up.

But here’s my answer: It depends on what you need from your documents.

If you’re writing casual notes, blog posts, or non-technical content, you don’t need LaTeX. Markdown or Google Docs will do just fine. But if you’re dealing with structured, technical, or large-scale documents, there is still nothing that matches LaTeX’s power, and I don’t see that changing in 2025 or beyond.

Where LaTeX Still Excels?

For all its quirks, LaTeX remains the gold standard in fields where precision, automation, and scalability matter. If you work in:

1. Academia and Research Publishing
   • Most major scientific journals still require LaTeX submissions.
   • Research papers with heavy mathematical content are significantly easier to manage.
   • Citation management with BibTeX is far superior to manually inserting references in Word.
2. Engineering and Scientific Documentation
   • LaTeX’s math rendering engine is unmatched for complex equations and symbols.
   • Multi-column layouts, diagrams, and figure placement are handled automatically.
3. Technical Books and Long-Form Writing
   • Unlike Word, which struggles with large files, LaTeX can compile a 500+ page book efficiently.
   • Structured writing with \include{} and \input{} makes collaboration seamless.
4. Resumes, CVs, and Professional Documents
   • Many professionals still prefer LaTeX for clean, structured, and ATS-friendly resumes.
   • Formatting remains consistent, regardless of the document length.
5. Presentation Slides (Beamer) and Reports
   • The beamer package makes LaTeX a viable alternative to PowerPoint.
   • Automated section numbering and structured slide design eliminate manual adjustments.

Where LaTeX Falls Short in 2025?

LaTeX is powerful, but it’s not perfect. In 2025, several areas still make it frustrating for beginners:

1. Steep Learning Curve
   • Even today, LaTeX has no real visual interface. You write code and compile—there’s no “live preview” unless you use Overleaf.
   • The syntax requires effort to learn, especially for those coming from Word or Google Docs.
2. Limited Collaboration Features
   • Google Docs allows instant co-editing, while LaTeX requires Git or Overleaf for real-time collaboration.
   • Commenting and editing features are less intuitive than in modern WYSIWYG tools.
3. Installation and Maintenance Issues
   • Setting up LaTeX on Windows or macOS still requires downloading large TeX distributions.
   • Package management can be frustrating when dealing with dependencies.
4. AI-Assisted Writing is Not Integrated
   • Tools like ChatGPT, Notion AI, and Grammarly are becoming essential for writing workflows.
   • LaTeX editors do not natively integrate with AI-assisted grammar and formatting tools.

What’s the Future of LaTeX?

I don’t see LaTeX going away. Its adoption is still growing in specific fields. Overleaf, one of the largest LaTeX platforms, continues to see millions of new users each year.

That said, LaTeX needs to evolve if it wants to remain relevant beyond technical circles. Some possible improvements:

• Better integration with AI-powered writing assistants (for grammar, style suggestions, and automated citations).
• Live preview features in more offline editors (similar to what Overleaf does online).
• Easier package management to reduce dependency conflicts.

Even in 2025, LaTeX remains the best tool for structured, technical, and scalable writing—but it’s not for everyone.

Should You Learn LaTeX?

If you’re in academia, research, or engineering, then yes—learning LaTeX is still worth the effort. The long-term benefits in automation and document control far outweigh the initial learning curve.

If your writing is non-technical and you prioritize ease of use, LaTeX may not be necessary. Alternatives like Markdown, Google Docs, or AI-assisted tools might be better suited for your workflow.

But if you’re someone who values control, precision, and efficiency in document writing, LaTeX is still the best tool available. And in my experience, once you understand its logic, you’ll never go back.

Conclusion

Learning LaTeX can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re used to traditional word processors. Unlike tools that prioritize ease of use, LaTeX demands that you understand structure before style—a shift that takes time to appreciate. But once you get past the initial learning curve, it becomes clear why professionals continue to rely on it.

For structured, technical, and large-scale documents, LaTeX still offers unmatched precision and automation. Researchers, engineers, and technical writers trust it because it eliminates formatting inconsistencies, manages citations effortlessly, and ensures that documents scale without breaking.

That said, LaTeX isn’t for everyone. If you only need basic text formatting and collaborative writing, modern tools like Google Docs or Markdown editors might serve you better. But if you’re working on research papers, academic writing, technical books, or mathematical documents, there’s no real alternative that provides the same level of control.

The question isn’t just “Should I use LaTeX?”—it’s “Do I need a system that prioritizes structure over appearance?” If the answer is yes, then learning LaTeX is an investment that will pay off for years to come.

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