# Write in LaTeX

Build a paper from editable source, with a toolbar for structure, citations, equations, and figures.

Start with a journal layout or a blank article. Write in the source editor, compile beside your text, and jump between a sentence and its place in the PDF.

![The LaTeX practice document in Oleafly, with its source, outline, and compiled PDF side by side](https://cdn.oleafly.com/images/screenshots/desktop/docs/llama-writing-dark-window-v2.png)

## Make your first page

1. From the library, choose **New project → Use a template → Blank document**.
2. Name the project **Toolbar practice** and choose **Create project**.
3. Open `main.tex`. Replace its contents with the example below.
4. Choose **Recompile**, or press **⌘Enter** on macOS / Ctrl+Enter on Windows and Linux.

```latex title="main.tex"
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath,graphicx,hyperref}
\title{A Small Research Note}
\author{Alex Chen}
\date{}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\section{Question}\label{sec:question}
How does the sample size affect the estimate?
\section{Method}
We repeat the measurement and compare the mean.
\begin{equation}\label{eq:mean}
  \bar{x}=\frac{1}{n}\sum_{i=1}^{n}x_i
\end{equation}
Equation~\ref{eq:mean} defines the estimate.
\end{document}
```

You should see a title, two sections, and a numbered equation. This example supplies the packages used by the equation, figure, and link tools below.

[Download the example source](/examples/writing-example.tex)

## Find every toolbar control

![The LaTeX toolbar in LLaMA’s editor-only view. Its controls run from Code/Visual and Undo through formatting, citations, tables, equations, symbols, and code intelligence.](https://cdn.oleafly.com/images/screenshots/desktop/docs/llama-editor-dark-window-v2.png#view=344,77,838,48)

The formatting bar sits above the document. Select existing text to wrap it, or place the cursor where new content belongs. Most insertion tools select a placeholder so you can type over it immediately. Narrow panes move controls into **More formatting options** (`…`).

### Code / Visual

Enable **Visual editor** in **Settings → Experimentation**, then switch modes above the document. Code exposes the source; Visual provides formatted editing for supported document structures.

### Undo

Click the left curved arrow or press ⌘Z / Ctrl+Z. Reverses the last edit.

### Redo

Click the right curved arrow or press **⌘Shift+Z / Ctrl+Shift+Z**. Reapplies an undone edit.

### Heading → Part

Choose **Part** from the heading menu to insert `\part{Part}`. Replace the heading text with your own title.

### Heading → Chapter

Choose **Chapter** from the heading menu to insert `\chapter{Chapter}`. Replace the heading text with your own title. Use a chapter-based class such as `report` or `book`.

### Heading → Section

Choose **Section** from the heading menu to insert `\section{Section}`. Replace the heading text with your own title.

### Heading → Subsection

Choose **Subsection** from the heading menu to insert `\subsection{Subsection}`. Replace the heading text with your own title.

### Heading → Subsubsection

Choose **Subsubsection** from the heading menu to insert `\subsubsection{Subsubsection}`. Replace the heading text with your own title.

### Heading → Paragraph

Choose **Paragraph** from the heading menu to insert `\paragraph{Paragraph}`. Replace the heading text with your own title.

### Bold

Select “sample size” and click **Bold** or press ⌘B / Ctrl+B while editing. `\textbf{sample size}`.

### Italic

Select a term and click **Italic** or press ⌘I / Ctrl+I. `\textit{term}`.

### Underline

Select text and click **Underline**. `\underline{text}`.

### Inline code

Select a filename or identifier and click the code icon. `\texttt{filename}`.

### Bulleted list

Choose **Bulleted list** to insert an `itemize` environment. Type each entry after `\item`. Enter continues the list; Enter on an empty item exits it.

### Numbered list

Choose **Numbered list** to insert an `enumerate` environment. Add each step after `\item`; LaTeX supplies its number when compiled.

### Insert blockquote

Place the cursor on a new line and click the quote icon. A `quote` environment for an attributed quotation.

### Insert link

Click the link icon, replace `url`, and then replace `link text`. `\href{url}{link text}`; load `hyperref` in the preamble.

### Citations

Open the citation picker, search your project bibliography, and choose the entry you want. A citation using the selected bibliography key. Add sources in [References & citations](/docs/citations/) first.

### Insert cross-reference

Click the tag icon and replace `label` with `eq:mean` in the practice document. `\ref{eq:mean}`, which resolves to the equation number after compilation.

### Insert footnote

Place the cursor after a word and click the footnote icon. `\footnote{note text}`; replace the note text.

Put a `\label{...}` after a section heading, equation, or figure caption, then refer to that exact label. [Completion and hover previews](/docs/autocomplete/) help you find the target without leaving the sentence.

### Insert figure

Import an image into the file tree, click the image icon, and replace `image-filename` with its project path. Edit the caption and label. A centered `figure` with `\includegraphics[width=0.8\textwidth]{...}`.

### Insert table

Open the table grid and choose rows and columns. Fill the caption and cells. A `table` containing a left-aligned `tabular`; separate cells with `&` and rows with `\\`.

### Image to LaTeX

With a vision-capable AI setup available, click the image transcription button and choose a screenshot of an equation or text. AI transcribes the image into LaTeX. Check the inserted expression and compile it.

### Align environment

Insert on a new line; write one equation per row with `&` at the alignment point and `\\` between rows. An `align` environment; load `amsmath`.

### Equation environment

Insert on a new line and type an expression between its begin and end lines. A numbered display equation.

### Fraction

Use inside math; replace the selected numerator, then the denominator. `\frac{numerator}{denominator}`.

### Symbols

Open the symbol picker, find the symbol, and select it. Inserts its LaTeX command at the cursor. Use mathematical symbols inside a math environment.

For a quick table, choose two columns and three rows, then use the caption **Measurements** and cells `Run & Value`, `1 & 0.42`, and `2 & 0.47`. Compile to check the placement. For a larger dataset, use the [table generator](/docs/writing/tables-equations/#turn-a-grid-into-a-latex-table).

### Code intelligence → Go to definition

Put the cursor on a supported command, reference, or citation and choose the action. Opens its definition or source location.

### Code intelligence → Find references

Put the cursor on a project symbol. Lists locations that use it.

### Code intelligence → Rename symbol

Select a supported symbol and enter its new name. Prepares a coordinated rename across matching project references.

### Project information

Open the information button at the right of the bar. Inspect document statistics; selecting prose lets you inspect the selection.

### Find

Click the magnifier in Code mode or press ⌘F / Ctrl+F. Search the current file. Use the sidebar's Search Project for multiple files.

### Go to PDF (SyncTeX)

Place the cursor in the source and click the arrow when the engine supports it. Jumps to the matching location in the compiled PDF.

[Code intelligence](/docs/code-intelligence/) explains the language tools; [SyncTeX](/docs/synctex/) covers navigation in both directions.

## Write a longer manuscript

Keep the main file small and split sections into files such as `sections/method.tex`. Include them with `\input{sections/method}`. The source tree, outline, search, and completion keep those files connected while you work.

Use the [bibliography guide](/docs/citations/) to add references and the [figure guide](/docs/figures-diagrams/) for plots and diagrams. When a build fails, open **Logs**, follow the file and line, and fix the first relevant error before recompiling.

## Share the result

Compile, inspect the PDF, and run [Preflight](/docs/preflight/). Export the PDF for reading or a source ZIP for a collaborator who needs to edit. [Export formats](/docs/export/) also covers Word, HTML, Markdown, and document-specific conversions.

## Editor-only layout

Choose **Editor only** from the project layout menu when you want more room for source. The formatting tools stay above the document, and you can return to a split layout for the next compile.

![The LaTeX source editor and its formatting toolbar in Editor only layout.](https://cdn.oleafly.com/images/screenshots/desktop/docs/llama-editor-dark-window-v2.png)