How to install LaTeX on Windows? Using LaTeX in our Word program on Windows will allow us to create more organized documents with the ability to establish formats that Word does not yet handle, such as documents with formulas, documents with a scientific approach or even sheet music.
Among the latests Moravia's compositions advantages that we can find with LaTeX For the creation of documents, we will find the possibility of working on extensive documents, in addition to opting for the creation of drawings or accessing templates to make our resumes.
Although it is true that the use of LaTeX is somewhat intricate, as we practice, we will see that it is very easy to use, we simply must become familiar with the commands that we must use to generate the changes in the document. If you have not yet installed this tool, let's look at each of the steps we must follow to achieve this.
Install MikTeX
To start, we must have the MikTex program installed. It is a program that includes each of the LaTeX compilers and packages. To it, we leave you the following web address, from where you can MikTex: https://miktex.org/.
The moment you access the installation, you will see that it is very simple. Accept the license and begin the . In any case, if you do not want it to be installed on your computer, you can select to the portable version, so that you can use it on other computers without problems.
Install the LaTeX editor
Once we reach this point, we will proceed to install LaTeX editors, so that we can work without complications and more easily. In fact, we can choose from several editor options. We will even find specialized ones like the ones we will mention below:
- TexMaker
- TeXnicCenter
- TeXWorks
- Sublime Text
- Vim
- Emacs
- TeXStudio
- Luxury
You can use whichever one you want, however, we will focus on one of them, to explain how LaTeX works, in addition to installing it so that we can work more easily and understand its operation, in a more optimal way.
LyX Editor
LyX is an editor that will allow us generate the content with Word, but the advantage is that we will not need additional commands to create. That is, its operation will be the same as if we were creating from Word. On the other hand, we must take into references, such as formulas or headings.
In any case, if we are learning to use this tool, such as LaTeX, a good way to start is through LyX. This is because access to functions is fast. This will allow us interact faster and easier with LaTeXIn any case, you can choose the editor that is most suitable for what you want to create.
Learn the basics in LaTeX
If you have already installed everything necessary to continue, we will simply proceed to write on the document. There are certain web pages from where we can learn the basics to start and give rise to what we want to do in the document.
A recommendation for find introductory materialis the following link http://w3.mecanica.upm.es/~goico/ltxice/, from where we can see the initial information that we will require to write directly, without many complications. You will see that it is very simple, once we understand the most basic precepts.
Use LaTeX like a pro
Although it is true that it takes time to be able to work hand in hand with LaTeX As a professional, it is possible that, with the help of guides, we can advance more quickly. The ideal is that we find a material that s us to obtain the best results.
In any case, if what you want is to learn to create and develop your own commands, we recommend the following web address that leaves you with material from where you can obtain the ideas and tools necessary to achieve this: https://www.latex-project.org/help/documentation/clsguide.pdf.
On the other hand, there are a series of forums where you will find answers to possible questions you may have regarding the commands you can create. You can even access these commands from the Run program in Windows. From there, we can better understand each of the commands.
Required components
On the other hand, for install LaTeX on Windows, we need to have three components that will allow us to use this tool. One of those components is the editor, as we mentioned previously. Although there are several, we have mentioned the use of LyX.
In any case, you can get help from the basic guide to LaTeX, to see those components that should be used for better tool performance. On the other hand, we will mention the other two components below.
1. LaTeX engine
As we mentioned in the previous paragraphs, to use LaTeX, It is important that we have an engine. Among one of the alternatives that we can find is MiKTeX. To it, we simply have to follow the following steps:
- Go to the page we provided at the beginning.
- Go to the option, make sure you find the latest version of the Basic MiKTex Installer.
- Run the program once you have installed it.
- Regarding package versions, it is important that they are the most recent.
If necessary, keep the packages updated, so that you can obtain the best result at all times. In any case, you can do it from the LaTeX engine program, selecting the update options.
2. a document viewer
It is important to have a program at hand from which we can view the documents we prepare. Although you can select the one that works best for you, a recommended option is Adobe Reader, from where you can view the documents you have created.
Usually, we already have it installed on our computer, however; If not, make sure you have it on hand. Using a PDF reader, you will see that it is possible to obtain a document display, in a simpler and more optimized way.
3. Editor (another alternative)
An alternative for the text editor, in case the one we have previously recommended does not offer you what you are looking for, you can opt for TeXnicCenter, being a text editor with which you can create documents in a favorable way. If you go to the publisher's website, go to the option and select the TeXnicCenter Installer option.
Installation is very simple, in fact; When you have ed and run it for the first time, but having first installed MiKTeX, you will see that the editor will have been configured automatically and you can start using it from LaTex, as soon as you have installed it on Windows.
Access the basic guide to LaTeX
In case you want to find answers to certain questions regarding LaTeX, you can always access guides that are available to find answers, for example: https://nokyotsu.com/latex/guia.html. From here, you will find everything related to those questions you may be having regarding the use of LaTeX.
Now let's see some points regarding the use of LaTeX that will allow us to understand more directly this tool and what we can do with it, so that it will be easier to have an idea about its use.
Edit with LaTeX
The first thing we must keep in mind is that, to begin, we must necessarily select an editor, with which we can generate the file we want to edit. These files will have the ending of .tex, as a format. From here, we can access LaTeX code. We will see, then, the structure of the document, followed by its content.
In any case, we can always find practical material that will explain in detail the language used in LaTeX and that, consequently, we need to learn, in order to develop the options and capabilities of the editor with which we want to work.
Compile with LaTeX
Through the engine that we will use in LaTeX, we can compile. This is a process with which we can convert .tex files into .pdf format files, so that we can view them more easily from Adobe Reader. In addition, we can see them on the screen or print, depending on the actions we want to perform.
At the moment we have selected the option to convert the file, this will be available so that we can generate the view from the viewer on the screen, or from the reader that we have determined to view this file.
Open the document and view
To ensure that the document is properly edited, what we will do is view it, it will help us to have an idea of how we are developing the document. Additionally, this will allow us to know if there have been errors at the time of view the documents we have created using LaTeX.
In case you find yourself using TeXShop as an engine, you will be able to view the document through the integrated viewer, automatically. You will see this display, when the compilation has finished without any errors. If you choose TeXnicCenter, you can press the viewer button inside.
In this way, you will see that It is very easy to use LaTeX, once you have become familiar with the components with which we will make the program work. to have an engine and a program to view the documents. With the basic guide that we have left, you will be able to advance in learning this tool.