LaTeX: Allowing you to focus on content,
not appearance.

Logo taken from: www.latex-project.org

What is it?

LaTeX is a software system used to prepare documents from smaller documents such as resumes and articles to large documents such as books.

LaTeX is not the same as Microsoft Word!

What does it do?

The big difference between LaTeX and other word processors is that it removes the formating step and allows the user to focus on the content.

In LaTeX the user does not start out by having to choose between fonts and layouts. Instead the user focuses on the content and can format the document in any way they want.

How to get started with LaTeX?

LaTeX requires a TeX system and a text editor. Users can choose to download these systems or work online.

Download

There are many text editors that can be downloaded such as TeXworks which is included in LaTeX systems: TeX Live and MiKTeX

*Check out Stack Exchange for a list of available LaTeX editors.

Online

There are also several online sites that you can use which avoids the need to download a TeX system and LaTeX editor.

Examples:

Click here for more information

LaTeX Examples

section

Instead of enlarging fonts and spacing in a word processor, LaTeX can be used to format and maintain the appearance of your documents.

This shows how laTeX code can be used to create sections and subsections.

 

The above example is the product of compiling the code on the left.

 

Images

includegraphics

LaTeX code can be used to add images to the documents without affecting the overall format.

The above example is the product of compiling the code on the left.

Images taken from https://www.learnlatex.org/en/

 

Graphs

addplot

 

LaTeX can also accept user input data to produce visual graphs and charts.

The above example is the product of compiling the code on the left.

Images taken from https://www.overleaf.com/learn/latex/Pgfplots_package#Plotting_mathematical_expressions

LaTeX Templates

LaTeX files are instructions the document follows to appear a user specified way in the final product.

The LaTeX file is not something an end user would see but it can be saved and reused as a template for future work.

Overleaf has a multitude of templates that can be used to format your documents.

RDM & LaTeX

Data stewards in the RDM team are not only focused on data management but on educating the research team regarding efficient utilization of technology in order to assist in your research needs.

Benefits of LaTeX include:

  • Provides a systematic approach to organizing & documenting research data.

  • LaTeX templates can be designed to include standard formatting and citation styles, making it easy to produce consistent and well-organized documentation.

  • LaTeX can be integrated with other tools for managing research data, such as version control systems, data repositories, and project management tools.

  • Integration enables researchers to manage their research data more efficiently, ensuring that their data are secure, organized, and accessible for future use.

This is the newsletter of the CRC 1382 in which regularly topics regarding (good) research data managements are discussed.

The information provided are selected by the data steward Catherine Gonzalez.

They are tailored to meet the standards and requirements of the UKA and RWTH.

If you think that the tips and tricks provided do not fit to your data I would be happy to discuss it and take a look at your data and its organization.