Introduction to LaTeX paper formatting: Tool selection and basic steps

Key points of this article

If you already have a school or journal template, confirm the template source and delivery form first. Changing the content is usually more time-consuming than configuring the environment from scratch.
Import the LaTeX main file in the UniDoc web editor, modify it just like editing a normal document, and then export the source code after modification.
After importing, first check the title, chapter numbers, formulas, tables and pictures, make sure they are correct and then modify the text paragraph by paragraph.
The exported source code must be compiled in a LaTeX environment to generate PDF, and then cross-references and references must be checked.
The translated version needs to be checked against the original text paragraph by paragraph. Machine translation may make mistakes, especially terminology and data.

Many science and engineering students first come into contact with LaTeX when their tutors or schools require them to write their graduation thesis. There are many formulas, many references, and chapter numbers need to be automatically generated. It is easy to mess up the formatting of these contents using ordinary word processing software. So "paper formatting tool LaTeX" has become a common search term. What everyone really wants to know is: what tool should be used to write, and how to retain the formatting effect of LaTeX after writing and modify it like an ordinary document.

This article is written for two types of readers: one is graduate students and undergraduate students who have just started writing papers in LaTeX, and the other is people who already have the .tex source code in their hands and need to switch back and forth between editing and publishing. After reading, you can decide which working method is suitable for you, and follow the steps to import a LaTeX paper into an editable document, and then export it back to the source code after modification.

The following will give the conclusion first, and then talk about the preparation before starting, specific operations and inspection before submission.

How to choose a tool for writing LaTeX papers? One sentence conclusion

Let me answer in one sentence first: If you just write a paper and submit it, it is easier to change the content directly in the editor if you already have a template; when you need to frequently debug macro packages and do automated builds, you can configure the local TeX environment.

your situation	Recommended practices	reason
The school or tutor has provided the `.tex` template, just fill in the content	Correct the text in the online editor or local editor without changing the document class	The template has been formatted. The fewer changes you make, the less likely it is to cause formatting problems.
Not familiar with LaTeX commands and want to see the effect while writing	Write as an editable document in the UniDoc web editor and export to LaTeX when needed	The threshold for graphical editing is low, and formulas and tables can still be retained.
The `.tex` source code has been formed and needs to be modified or edited by collaborators.	Import and edit round-trip through LaTeX, and export the source code after modification	There is no need to change the command line by line, it is still the source code after exporting
Requires a large number of custom macro packages or automated builds	Install the TeX environment locally and write source code directly with the editor	The local environment is controllable, making it easy to troubleshoot when errors are reported.
Need to be translated into other languages and retain format	Upload the LaTeX source code package to omnidoc.top for translation	Support LaTeX source code package, optional bilingual comparison or translation only

Before you start: Confirm these points first

Confirm template source. The templates provided by schools or journals usually have fixed document classes and macro packages. Random replacement will affect the format review. Keep a copy of the original template before starting.
Confirm the submission form. In most cases, PDF is required, and some require source code to be attached. Only by asking in advance will you know which files will be exported in the end.
Back up original files. Round trip editing will change the organization of the file and keep a copy of the original manuscript so that if there is any problem, you can compare it item by item.
Organize attachment documents. Pictures and .bib reference files must be placed in the same directory as the main .tex file. Missing files will cause import or compilation failure.
Pay attention to privacy. Before using online tools to process unpublished research content, read the other party’s privacy statement to confirm how the files will be saved and processed.

Steps for round-trip editing of LaTeX papers in UniDoc

The following steps apply to importing, modifying, and exporting LaTeX papers in the UniDoc web editor (app.unidoc.top).

Open app.unidoc.top and enter the web page editor.
Organize the main .tex file and the pictures and .bib files it references into the same folder, and package them into a compressed package if necessary.
Select the LaTeX import method and upload the main file. The main file is the one containing the \documentclass command. Do not select the chapter subfile.
After waiting for the import to complete, first check the overall structure: whether titles, chapter numbers, formulas, tables and pictures are all displayed normally.
Check the formulas and tables against the original manuscript. These two types of content are prone to deviations during conversion.
Modify text paragraphs just like editing a normal document, and formulas can be edited directly.
After the modification is completed, select Export to LaTeX and download the source code file.
Compile the exported source code in a local or online LaTeX environment, generate PDF, and then check the format. If you need a translated version, you can upload the source code package to omnidoc.top, select bilingual comparison or translation only, and download the result.

Check each item after completion

After getting the PDF and source code, it is recommended to check them one by one according to the following list.

Check items	How to see	What if there's a problem?
Whether the compilation is passed or not	There are no errors reported in the log. PDF can be generated normally.	Repair one by one from the top of the log, fix it and recompile it.
Cross-reference and numbering	Whether the numbers and references of drawings, tables, formulas and chapters correspond to each other	Compile a few more times to stabilize the reference, and check the tag signature if there is still an error
Formula	Compare it with the manuscript one by one, focusing on the superscript, summation upper and lower bounds and matrix	Directly modify the corresponding mathematical environment in the source code
reference	Is the number of entries at the end of the text consistent with the number of citations in the text?	Check the `.bib` entry field to correct special characters and missing items
Pictures and tables	Whether the location, size and title meet the requirements	Adjust the placement settings of the floating body and then recompile
Translation content	Whether the terms, numbers and proper nouns are consistent with the original	Machine translation may make mistakes. Check with the original paragraph by paragraph before using it.

# frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Can't write LaTeX command, can I use it to write a paper directly?

Yes, but you need to learn the basic commands used in the template, such as chapters, formulas, and chart environments. You can also write the text in an editable document, get familiar with it, and then go back to the source code to fine tune.

2. What is the difference between paper typesetting software LaTeX and ordinary word processing software?

LaTeX uses source code to describe the document structure, and numbers, cross-references and references are automatically generated by the system. Ordinary word processing software is based on WYSIWYG, and the numbering and citation of long documents are more prone to manual errors.

3. Which is more suitable for latex writing online or locally?

Depends on demand. Online editing omits environment configuration and is suitable for quick start; the local environment is more controllable in macro package management and offline work, and is suitable for situations where templates are complex or need automation.

4. Can the exported LaTeX source code be delivered directly to the school?

Usually, you need to compile in the LaTeX environment to confirm that the PDF is correct, and then decide whether to attach the source code according to the requirements of the school. Please check item by item against the format specification of the school before submission.

5. What if the formula does not show correctly after conversion?

First find out the wrong formula against the original, and then directly modify the corresponding mathematical environment in the source code. If there is a problem with a large number of formulas, check that the imported master file is complete and the referenced attached files are complete.

# Summary

The key to the paper typesetting tool LaTeX is to first choose the right way to work, and then keep the round trip between the source code and editable documents smooth. After writing, check the compilation results, citations, formulas and references according to the list, and read it again against the format requirements of the school before handing in the manuscript.

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