Latex Command Summary
LATEX Command Summary
\\* terminates a line, but disallows a pagebreak.
\] — same as \end{displaymath} or $$.
This listing contains short descriptions of the
\ˆ makes a circumflex, as ˆ
o.
control sequences that are likely to be handy for
users of LAT
\_ is an underscore, as in hours worked.
EX v2.09 layered on TEX v2.0. Some
of these commands are LATEX macros, while oth-
\‘ in tabbing environment moves all text which
ers belong to plain TEX; no attempt to differen-
follows (up to \\) to the right margin.
tiate them is made.
Elsewhere, grave accent , as `
o.
\{ prints a curly left brace: {.
\
— ordinary space after period.
\| is
(math mode).
\! — negative thin space = − 1 quad;
6
\} prints a curly right brace: }.
xx\!x yields xxx (math mode).
\˜ makes a tilde, as ˜
n.
\" makes an umlaut, as ¨
o.
\a’ makes an acute accent in tabbing
\# prints a pound sign: #.
environment, as ´
o.
\$ prints a dollar sign: $.
\a‘ makes a grave accent in tabbing
\% prints a percent sign: %.
environment, as `
o.
\& prints an ampersand: &.
\a= makes a macron accent in tabbing
\’ in tabbing environment moves current column
environment, as ¯
o.
to the right of the previous column. Elsewhere,
\aa is ˚
a. \AA is ˚
A.
acute accent, as ´
o.
\acute makes an acute accent: ´
a (math mode).
\( — start math mode. Same as \begin{math}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{name} adds
or $.
the command \contentsline{section}{name}
\) — end math mode. Same as \end{math} or $.
to the .toc file.
\* is a discretionary multiplication sign, at which
\address{text} declares the return address in
a line break is allowed.
the letter document style.
\+ moves left margin to the right by one tab stop.
\addtocontents{toc}{text} writes text to the
Begin tabbed line.
.toc file.
\, — thin space = 1 quad; xx\,x yields xx x. It
6
\addtocounter{name}{amount} adds amount to
is not restricted to math mode.
counter name.
\- in tabbing environment, moves left margin to
\addtolength{\nl}{length} adds length to
the left by one tab stop. Elsewhere, optional
length command \nl. See also \setlength,
hyphenation.
\newlength, \settowidth.
\. puts a dot accent over a letter, as ˙o.
\ae is æ. \AE is Æ.
\/ inserts italics adjustment space.
\aleph is ℵ (math mode).
\: — medium space = 2 quad; xx\:x yields xx x
9
\alph{counter} prints counter as lower-case
(math mode).
letters. \Alph{counter} prints upper-case
\; — thick space = 5 quad; xx\;x yields xx x
letters.
18
(math mode).
\alpha is α (math mode).
\< in tabbing environment, puts text to left of
\amalg is
(math mode).
local left margin.
\and separates multiple authors for the
\= in tabbing environment, sets a tab stop.
\maketitle command.
Elsewhere, makes a macron accent, as ¯
o.
\angle is
(math mode).
\> in tabbing environment is a forward tab.
Otherwise, medium space = 2 quad (math
\appendix starts appendices.
9
mode).
\approx is ≈ (math mode).
\@ declares the period that follows is to be a
\arabic{counter} prints counter as arabic
sentence-ending period.
numerals 1, 2, etc.
\[ — same as \begin{displaymath} or $$.
\arccos is arccos (math mode).
\\ terminates a line.
\arcsin is arcsin (math mode).
2
LATEX Command Summary
\arctan is arctan (math mode).
\begin{figure}[pos] begins a floating
\arg is arg (math mode).
environment, which may be optionally placed
at pos (see positions on page 8). Document
\arraycolsep — width of the space between
styles report and article use the default tbp.
columns in an array environment.
\begin{figure*}[pos] begins a
\arrayrulewidth — width of the rule created in
two-column-wide figure. See \begin{figure}.
tabular or array environment by |, \hline,
or \vline.
\begin{flushleft} starts environment with
ragged right-hand margin. Separate lines with
\arraystretch — scale factor for interrow
\\. See \raggedright.
spacing in array and tabular environments.
\begin{flushright} starts environment with
\ast is ∗ (math mode).
ragged left-hand margin. Separate lines with
\asymp is
(math mode).
\\. See \raggedleft.
\author{names} declares author(s) for the
\begin{itemize} starts a “bulleted” (•) list.
\maketitle command.
Start each item with \item.
\b is a “bar-under” accent, as o.
¯
\begin{list}{labeling}{spacing} starts a
\backslash is \ (math mode).
general list environment. labeling specifies
\bar puts a macron over a letter: ¯
a (math mode).
how items are labeled when \item has no
argument. spacing is an optional list of
\baselineskip — distance from bottom of one
spacing parameters.
line of a paragraph to bottom of the next line.
\begin{math} starts a math display like this:
\baselinestretch — factor by which
x2 + y2, within text. Same as $ or \(.
\baselineskip is multiplied each time a type
size changing command is executed.
\begin{minipage}[pos]{vsize} starts a box of
height vsize. Text will be positioned according
\begin{environment } — always paired with
to pos (see positions on page 8).
\end{environment }. Following are the assorted
environments.
\begin{picture}(x, y)(xl, yl) starts a picture
environment whose width is x units, height is y
\begin{abstract} starts an environment for
producing an abstract.
units, and lower-left corner is the point (xl, yl).
Set units with \unitlength.
\begin{array}{lrc} starts array environment
with 3 columns, left-justified, right-justified,
\begin{quotation} starts an environment with
and centered. Separate columns with
wider margins, normal paragraph indenting,
&, and
end lines with
and offset from the text at top and bottom.
\\. @{text} between l, r or c
arguments puts text between columns.
\begin{quote} starts an environment with wider
margins, no paragraph indenting, and offset
\begin{center} starts an environment in which
every line is centered. End lines with
from the text at top and bottom.
\\.
\begin{description} starts a labeled list. Items
\begin{tabbing} starts a columnar environment.
are indicated by
Use commands
\item[label].
\= (set tab), \> (tab), \<
(backtab), \+ (indent one tab stop), \-
\begin{displaymath} sets mathematics on lines
(outdent one tab stop), \‘ (flush right), \’
of its own. Same as \[ or $$.
(flush left), \pushtabs, \poptabs, \kill, \\.
\begin{document} starts the actual text of a
\begin{table}[pos] begins a floating
document. Required.
environment, which may be optionally placed
\begin{enumerate} starts a numbered list.
at pos (see positions on page 8). Document
\begin{eqnarray} starts a displaymath
styles report and article use the default tbp.
environment in which more than one equation
\begin{table*}[pos] begins a two-column-wide
can be accommodated. Separate equations with
table. See \begin{table}.
\\ or \\*; use \nonumber to suppress
\begin{tabular}{arg} starts an array
numbering a particular equation.
environment which can be used in or out of
\begin{eqnarray*} begins an environment like
math mode. arg contains column text
the eqnarray environment except that the
positioning commands r, l, c, @{...},
equations aren’t numbered.
p{length} (see positions on page 8).
\begin{equation} starts a displaymath
| produces vertical line between columns.
environment and adds an equation number.
*{7}{r|l|} repeats that entry 7 times.
December 28, 1999
3
\begin{theorem} — see \newtheorem.
\cap is ∩ (math mode).
\begin{titlepage} is an environment with no
\caption[loftitle]{text} creates a numbered
page number, and causes following page to be
caption in a figure or table environment.
numbered “1”.
Optional loftitle contains entry for the list of
\begin{verbatim} starts an environment which
figures if different from text.
will be typeset exactly as you type it, carriage
\cc{text} declares list of copy recipients for
returns and all, usually in typewriter font.
letter document style.
\begin{verse} starts an environment for poetry
\cdot is · (math mode).
with wider margins, no paragraph indenting,
\cdots makes three dots centered on the line: · · ·
and ragged right margin.
(cf. \ldots) (math mode).
\beta is β (math mode).
\centering declares that all text following is to
\bf switches to bold face type.
be centered (cf. \begin{center}).
\bibitem{ref} text creates a bibliography entry
\chapter[toctitle]{text} begins a new
text, numbers it, and labels it with reference
section, automatically headed and numbered.
label ref.
Optional toctitle contains entry for the table
\bibliography{file} — insert bibliography
of contents if different from text.
from file name.bib at this point in text.
\chapter*{title} is like \chapter{title}, but
\bibliographystyle{style} — a format
adds no chapter number or table of contents
specifier, like \documentstyle.
entry.
\bigcap is
(math mode).
\check makes a h´
aˇ
cek, as ˇ
a (math mode).
\bigcirc is
(math mode).
\chi is χ (math mode).
\bigcup is
(math mode).
\circ is ◦ (math mode).
\bigodot is
(math mode).
\circle{diameter} as a valid argument for \put
\bigoplus is
(math mode).
in a picture environment, draws a circle.
\bigotimes is
(math mode).
\circle*{diameter} is like \circle, but draws
\bigtriangledown is
(math mode).
a solid circle.
\bigtriangleup is
(math mode).
\cite[subcit]{ref} produces a reference, in
square brackets, to a bibliographic item created
\bigskip — standard “big” vertical skip.
with \bibitem{ref}. Optional sub-citation
\bigskipamount — default length for \bigskip.
subcit can be inserted in the entry.
\bigsqcup is
(math mode).
\cleardoublepage forces next page to be a
\biguplus is
(math mode).
right-hand, odd-numbered page.
\bigvee is
(math mode).
\clearpage ends a page where it is, and puts
\bigwedge is
(math mode).
pending figures or tables on separate float
\bmod is binary modulo expression u mod m
pages with no text.
(math mode).
\cline{i-j} draws a horizontal line across
\boldmath changes math italics and math
columns i through j inclusive in array or
symbols to boldface. Should be used outside of
tabular environments.
math mode.
\closing{text} declares the closing in letter
\bot is ⊥ (math mode).
document style.
\bottomfraction — maximum fraction of page
\clubsuit is ♣ (math mode).
occupied by floats at the bottom.
\columnsep — distance between columns in
\bowtie is
(math mode).
two-column text.
\Box is P (math mode).
\columnseprule — width of the rule between
\breve makes a breve accent: ˘
a (math mode).
columns on two-column pages.
\bullet is • (math mode).
\columnwidth — width of the current column.
Equals
\c is a cedilla, as ¸
c.
\textwidth in single-column text.
\cal produces calligraphic letters, as B (math
\cong is ∼
= (math mode).
mode).
\coprod is
(math mode).
4
LATEX Command Summary
\copyright is c .
\documentstyle[substy]{sty} determines
\cos is cos (math mode).
default font, headings, etc., for document of
style sty (and optional substyle substy).
\cosh is cosh (math mode).
Styles: article, book, letter, report,
\cot is cot (math mode).
slides. Substyles: 11pt, 12pt, acm, draft,
\coth is coth (math mode).
fleqn, leqno, twocolumn, twoside.
\csc is csc (math mode).
\dot makes a dot over a letter: ˙a (math mode).
.
\cup is ∪ (math mode).
\doteq is = (math mode).
\d is a “dot under” accent, as o..
\dotfill expands to fill horizontal space with
row of dots.
\dag is †.
\dagger is † (math mode).
\doublerulesep — horizontal distance between
vertical rules created by || in tabular or
\dashbox{dwid}(width,height)[pos]{text}
array environment.
creates a dashed rectangle around text in a
picture environment. Dashes are dwid units
\downarrow is ↓. \Downarrow is ⇓ (math mode).
wide; dimensions of rectangle are width and
\ell is
(math mode).
height; text is positioned at optional pos (see
\em toggles between roman and italic fonts for
positions on page 8).
emphasis.
\dashv is
(math mode).
\emptyset is ∅ (math mode).
\date{adate} declares the date for the
\encl{text} declares a list of enclosures for
\maketitle command. The default is \today.
letter document style.
\day — current day of the month.
\end{environment } ends an environment begun
\dblfloatpagefraction — minimum fraction of
by \begin{environment } (q.v.).
a float page that must be occupied by floats, for
\epsilon is
(math mode).
two-column float pages.
\equiv is ≡ (math mode).
\dblfloatsep — distance between floats at the
top or bottom of a two-column float page.
\eta is η (math mode).
\dbltextfloatsep — distance between
\evensidemargin — distance between left side of
double-width floats at the top or bottom of a
page and text’s normal left margin, for
two-column page and the text on that page.
even-numbered pages in two-sided printing.
\dbltopfraction — maximum fraction at the
\exists is ∃ (math mode).
top of a two-column page that may be occupied
\exp is exp (math mode).
by floats.
\fbox{text} makes a framed box around text.
\ddag is ‡.
\fboxrule — thickness of ruled frame for \fbox
\ddagger is ‡ (math mode).
and \framebox.
\ddot makes a dieresis over a letter: ¨
a (math
\fboxsep — space between frame and text for
mode).
\fbox and \framebox.
. .
\ddots produces a diagonal ellipsis
. (math
\fill — rubber length (glue) that can stretch to
mode).
arbitrary length. Usually used to justify text a
particular way.
\deg is deg (math mode).
\flat is
(math mode).
\delta is δ. \Delta is ∆ (math mode).
\floatpagefraction — minimum fraction of a
\det is det (math mode).
float page occupied by floats.
\diamond is . \Diamond is Q (both math mode).
\floatsep — distance between floats that appear
\diamondsuit is ♦ (math mode).
at the top or bottom of a text page.
\dim is dim (math mode).
\flushbottom causes pages to be stretched to
\displaystyle switches to displaymath or
\textheight.
equation environment typesetting (math
\fnsymbol{counter} prints counter as one of
mode).
the set of “footnote symbols”. counter must
\div is ÷ (math mode).
be less than 10.
December 28, 1999
5
\footheight — height of box at bottom of page
\headsep — vertical distance between bottom of
that holds page number.
head and top of text.
\footnote{text} creates a footnote of text.
\heartsuit is ♥ (math mode).
\footnotemark puts a footnote number into the
\hfill is \hspace{\fill} (cf. \fill).
text.
\hline draws a horizontal line across all columns
\footnotesep — height of strut placed at
of a tabular or array environment.
beginning of footnote.
\hom is hom (math mode).
\footnotesize switches to footnote-sized type.
\hookleftarrow is ← (math mode).
\footskip — vertical distance between bottom of
\hookrightarrow is → (math mode).
last line of text and bottom of page footing.
\hrulefill expands to fill horizontal space with
\footnotetext{text} specifies the text for a
horizontal rule.
footnote which was indicated by a
\hspace{len} leaves a horizontal space of
\footnotemark.
dimension len.
\forall is ∀ (math mode).
\hspace*{len} is like \hspace{len} but space is
\frac{numerator}{denominator} produces a
not removed at the beginning or end of a line.
fraction in math environments.
\huge switches to a very large typeface. \Huge is
\frame{text} makes a framed (outlined) box
even bigger.
around text, with no margin between the text
\hyphenation{wordlist} declares hyphenation
and the frame.
as indicated; wordlist contains words
\framebox[size][pos]{text} produces a
separated by spaces, with hyphens indicated
framed box of dimension size containing
(e.g. “aard-vark cal-i-bra-tion”).
text, optionally positioned l or r.
\i is ı.
In picture environment,
\iff is ⇐⇒ (math mode).
\framebox(width,height)[pos]{text}
\Im is
(math mode).
creates a rectangle around text; dimensions of
rectangle are width and height; text is
\imath is ı (math mode).
positioned at optional pos (see positions on
\in is ∈ (math mode).
page 8).
\include{filename} brings in filename text at
\frown is
(math mode).
that point.
\fussy is the default declaration for the
\includeonly{file1,file2,...} limits
line-breaking algorithm (cf. \sloppy).
recognition of \include files.
\gamma is γ. \Gamma is Γ (math mode).
\index{text} appends text to the .idx file by
writing an
\gcd is gcd (math mode).
\indexentry command.
\indexentry{text}{ref} is written to the .idx
\ge is ≥ (math mode).
file for \index{text} occurring at reference
\geq is ≥ (math mode).
ref.
\gets is ← (math mode).
\indexspace puts blank space before first index
\gg is
(math mode).
entry starting with a new letter.
\glossary{text} appends text to the .glo file
\inf is inf (math mode).
by writing a \glossaryentry command.
\infty is ∞ (math mode).
\glossaryentry{text}{ref} is written to the
\input{file} brings in text from file.tex at
.glo file for \glossary{text} occurring at
that point.
reference ref.
\int is
(math mode).
\grave makes a grave accent: `
a (math mode).
\intextsep — vertical space placed above and
\H prints a long Hungarian umlaut, as ˝
o.
below float in middle of text.
\hat makes a circumflex: ˆ
a (math mode).
\iota is ι (math mode).
\hbar is ¯
h (math mode).
\it switches to Italic type.
\headheight — height of box at top of page that
\item[text] indicates a list entry. text is
holds running head.
optional, used in description environment.
6
LATEX Command Summary
\itemindent — extra indentation before label in
\leftrightarrow is ↔. \Leftrightarrow is ⇔
list item. Default is 0mm.
(math mode).
\itemsep — vertical space between successive list
\leq is ≤ (math mode).
items.
\lfloor is
(math mode).
\j is .
\lg is lg (math mode).
\jmath is (math mode).
\lhd is ¡ (math mode).
\Join is I (math mode).
\lim is lim (math mode).
\kappa is κ (math mode).
\liminf is lim inf (math mode).
\ker is ker (math mode).
\limsup is lim sup (math mode).
\kill — in a \tabbing environment, deletes
\line(x,y){len} in picture environment, in
previous line so tabs can be set without
\put command, draws line from \put argument
outputting text.
with length len and slope (x,y).
\l is l. \L is L.
\linebreak[n] forces a line to break exactly at
\label{text} provides a reference point that is
this point, and adjusts line just terminated (cf.
accessed with \ref{text} or \pageref{text}.
newline). n is optional: 0 is an optional break,
\labelwidth — width of box containing list item
4 is a mandatory break, 1, 2 and 3 are
label.
intermediate levels of insistence.
\labelsep — space between box containing list
\linethickness{dimen} sets the thickness for all
item label and text of the item.
lines in a picture.
\lambda is λ. \Lambda is Λ (math mode).
\linewidth is the width of the current line in a
\land is ∧ (math mode).
paragraph.
\langle is
(math mode).
\listoffigures begins a list of figures with
heading.
\large, \Large, and \LARGE switch to
successively larger than \normalsize type
\listoftables begins a list of tables with
sizes.
heading.
\LaTeX produces the LATEX logo.
\listparindent — extra indentation added to
first line of every paragraph of an item after the
\lbrace is { (math mode).
first, in list environment.
\lbrack is [ (math mode).
\ll is
(math mode).
\lceil is
(math mode).
\ln is ln (math mode).
\ldots makes three dots at the base of the line:
. . . (cf.
\lnot is ¬ (math mode).
\cdots).
\log is log (math mode).
\le is ≤ (math mode).
\longleftarrow is ←−. \Longleftarrow is ⇐=
\leadsto is Y (math mode).
(math mode).
\left* (where * is a delimiter) must be paired
with \right* (not necessarily using the same
\longleftrightarrow is ←→.
delimiter). ‘.’ acts as a null delimiter (math
\Longleftrightarrow is ⇐⇒ (math mode).
mode).
\longmapsto is −→ (math mode).
\leftarrow is ←. \Leftarrow is ⇐ (math
\longrightarrow is −→. \Longrightarrow is
mode).
=⇒ (math mode).
\lefteqn{formula} is used in the eqnarray
\lor is ∨ (math mode).
environment to break a long formula across
\lq is a left-quote: ‘.
lines.
\makebox[size][pos]{text} creates a box of
\leftharpoondown is
(math mode).
dimension size containing text at optional
\leftharpoonup is
(math mode).
pos. \makebox(width,height)[pos]{text}
\leftmargin, in list environment, horizontal
puts text in a box; dimensions of box are
distance between left margin of enclosing
width and height; text is positioned at
environment and left margin of list. Settable
optional pos (see positions on page 8).
for nesting levels 1 through 6, as \leftmargini
\makeglossary enables writing of
through \leftmarginvi.
\glossaryentry commands to a .glo file.
December 28, 1999
7
\makeindex enables writing of \indexentry
\newcounter{counter}[name] defines a counter
commands to a .idx file.
optionally to be zeroed whenever the name
\maketitle produces a title with \title,
counter is incremented.
\author, and, optionally, \date.
\newenvironment{envname}[narg]{def1}{def2}
\mapsto is → (math mode).
defines a new environment, optionally with
some number of arguments narg. def1 is
\marginpar{text} puts text in the margin as a
executed when the environment in entered and
note.
def2 is executed when it is exited.
\marginparpush — minimum amount of vertical
space between two marginal notes.
\newfont{cs}{name} defines a control sequence
\cs that chooses the font name.
\marginparsep — horizontal space between
margin and marginal note.
\newlength{\nl} sets up \nl as a length of 0in.
See also \setlength, \addtolength,
\marginparwidth — width of a marginal note.
\settowidth.
\markboth{lhd}{rhd} defines the left-hand
\newline breaks a line right where it is, with no
heading lhd and the right-hand heading rhd for
stretching of terminated line (cf. \linebreak).
the headings and myheadings page styles.
\newpage ends a page where it appears. (cf.
\markright{rhd} defines the right-hand heading
\clearpage).
rhd for the headings and myheadings page
styles.
\newsavebox{\binname} declares a new bin to
hold a \savebox.
\max is max (math mode).
\newtheorem{env}[env2]{label}[sectyp]
\mbox{text} places text into a horizontal box.
defines a new theorem environment env
\medskip — standard “medium” vertical skip.
(optionally with the same numbering scheme as
\medskipamount — default length for \medskip.
environment env2) with labels label.
\mho is H (math mode).
Optionally, theorem numbers can be related to
document section sectyp.
\mid is | (math mode).
\ni is
(math mode).
\min is min (math mode).
\nofiles suppresses writing of auxiliary files
\mit is “math italic” as in Π (math mode).
.idx, .toc, etc.
\models is |= (math mode).
\noindent suppresses indentation of first line of
\month — current month of the year.
paragraph.
\mp is
(math mode).
\nolinebreak[n] prevents a line break at that
\mu is µ (math mode).
point (cf. \linebreak on page 6).
\multicolumn{noc}{fmt}{text} in tabular
\nonumber is used in an eqnarray environment to
environment puts text across noc columns
suppress equation numbering.
using positioning format fmt (c, r, l, and/or |).
\nopagebreak[n] prevents a page break at that
\multiput(x, y)(∆x, ∆y){n}{obj} is
point (cf. \linebreak on page 6).
\put(x, y){obj}
\normalmarginpar is default declaration for
\put(x + ∆x, y + ∆y){obj}
· · ·
placement of marginal notes (cf.
\reversemarginpar).
\put(x + (n − 1)∆x, y + (n − 1)∆y){obj}.
\nabla is
(math mode).
\normalsize is the default type size for the
document.
\natural is
(math mode).
\not puts a slash through a relational operator:
\ne is = (math mode).
\not= is = (math mode).
\nearrow is
(math mode).
\notin is /
∈ (math mode).
\neg is ¬ (math mode).
\nu is ν (math mode).
\neq is = (math mode).
\nwarrow is
(math mode).
\newcommand{\cs}[narg]{def} defines a new
control sequence \cs with definition def.
\o is ø. \O is Ø.
Optionally, narg is the number of arguments,
\obeycr makes embedded carriage returns act
indicated in def as #1, #2, etc.
like line terminators.
8
LATEX Command Summary
\oddsidemargin — distance between left side of
\parskip — extra vertical space between
page and text’s normal left margin.
paragraphs, normally.
\odot is
(math mode).
\part[toctitle]{text} begins a new part,
automatically headed and numbered. Optional
\oe is œ. \OE is Œ.
toctitle contains entry for the table of
\oint is
(math mode).
contents if different from text.
\omega is ω. \Omega is Ω (math mode).
\part*{text} begins a part and prints a title,
\ominus is
(math mode).
but doesn’t include a number or make a table
\onecolumn sets text in single column (default)
of contents entry.
(cf. \twocolumn.
\partial is ∂ (math mode).
\opening{text} declares an opening for letter
\partopsep — extra vertical space added before
document style.
first list item if environment starts a new
\oplus is ⊕ (math mode).
paragraph.
\oslash is
(math mode).
\perp is ⊥ (math mode).
\otimes is ⊗ (math mode).
\phi is φ. \Phi is Φ (math mode).
\oval(x,y) as an argument to \put draws an
\pi is π. \Pi is Π (math mode).
oval x units wide and y units high.
\pm is ± (math mode).
\pmod{modulus} is “parenthesized” modulo
\overbrace{text} gives text (math mode).
expression u
(mod 2ej − 1) (math mode).
\overline{text} gives text (math mode).
\poptabs undoes the previous \pushtabs
\owns is
(math mode).
command (restore prior tab settings).
\P is ¶.
positions, for boxing commands: t=top,
\pagebreak[n] forces a page break at that point
b=bottom, h=here, l=left, c=center, r=right,
(cf. \linebreak on page 6).
p=new page (figure environment), p=parbox
(tabular environment).
\pagenumbering{style} determines page
number style; style may be arabic (3), roman
\pounds is £.
(iii), Roman (III), alph (c), Alph (C).
\Pr is Pr (math mode).
\pageref{text} is the page number on which
\prec is
(math mode).
\label{text} occurs.
\preceq is
(math mode).
\pagestyle{sty} determines characteristics of a
\prime is
(math mode).
page’s head and foot. sty may be plain (page
number only),
\prod is
(math mode).
empty (no page number),
headings (running headings on each page),
\propto is ∝ (math mode).
myheadings (user headings).
\protect permits the use of “dangerous”
\paragraph[toctitle]{text} begins a new
commands in @-expressions, or in sectioning
paragraph, automatically headed and
command and \caption arguments.
numbered. Optional toctitle contains entry
\ps in letter document style permits additional
for the table of contents if different from text.
text after \closing.
\paragraph*{text} begins a paragraph and
\psi is ψ. \Psi is Ψ (math mode).
prints a title, but doesn’t include a number or
\pushtabs in tabbing environment lets you stack
make a table of contents entry.
tab stop definitions. Undo with \poptabs.
\parallel is
(math mode).
\put(x,y){stuff} is the basic picture-drawing
\parbox[pos]{size}{text} is a box created in
command. (x,y) is the reference point, whose
paragraph mode. text is positioned optionally
meaning varies for different stuff. stuff may
at pos (see positions on page 8). Width is
be anything that goes in an \mbox.
size.
\raggedbottom causes pages to assume natural
\parindent — horizontal indentation added at
height.
beginning of paragraph.
\raggedleft declares all text that follows is to be
\parsep — extra vertical space between
flush against the right margin (cf.
paragraphs within a list item.
\begin{flushright}).
December 28, 1999
9
\raggedright declares all text that follows is to
\rule[height]{length}{width} makes a
be flush against the left margin (cf.
rectangular blob of ink length long, width
\begin{flushleft}).
wide, with optional height above baseline.
\raisebox{dim}[d2][d3]{text} moves text up
\S is §.
by dim (which may be negative). Optional d2
\savebox{\binname}[width][pos]{text} is
makes system think that text extends d2 above
exactly like \makebox (q.v.), but saves box
the baseline (and optionally d3 below it).
definition in bin \binname. Access with
\rangle is
(math mode).
\usebox{\binname}.
\rbrace is } (math mode).
\sbox{\binname}{text} saves text in box
\binname (see \savebox, above).
\rbrack is ] (math mode).
\sc switches to caps and small caps font.
\rceil is
(math mode).
\scriptsize switches subscript size type.
\Re is
(math mode).
\scriptstyle switches to sub- or
\ref{text} is the section number in which
superscript-sized typesetting.
\label{text} occurs.
\scriptscriptstyle switches to second-level
\renewcommand{\cs}[narg]{def} redefines an
(very small) sub- or superscript-sized
existing control sequence \cs with definition
typesetting (math mode).
def. Optionally, narg is the number of
\searrow is
(math mode).
arguments, indicated in def as #1, #2, etc.
\sec is sec (math mode).
\renewenvironment{envname}[narg]{def1}{def2}
redefines an existing environment. See
\section[toctitle]{text} begins a new
section, automatically headed and numbered.
\newenvironment.
Optional toctitle contains entry for the table
\restorecr undoes the \obeycr command
of contents if different from text.
(makes carriage return a space-producing
\section*{text} begins a section, prints a title,
character).
but doesn’t include a number or make a table
\reversemarginpar causes opposite margin to be
of contents entry.
used for marginal notes (e.g., left margin on
\setcounter{counter}{value} resets the value
odd-numbered pages).
of counter.
\rfloor is
(math mode).
\setlength{\nl}{length} sets value of length
\rhd is £ (math mode).
command \nl to length. See also
\rho is ρ (math mode).
\addtolength, \newlength, \settowidth.
\right* (where * is a delimiter) must be paired
\setminus is \ (math mode).
with \left* (not necessarily using the same
\settowidth{\nl}{text} sets value of length
delimiter). ‘.’ acts as a null delimiter (math
command \nl to the width of text. See also
mode).
\setlength, \newlength, \addtolength.
\rightarrow is →. \Rightarrow is ⇒ (math
\sf switches to sans serif font.
mode).
\sharp is
(math mode).
\rightharpoondown is
(math mode).
x
yy
\rightharpoonup is
(math mode).
\shortstack[pos]{x\\yy\\zzz} yields zzz, a
one-column tabular arrangement of its
\rightleftharpoons is
(math mode).
arguments. Optional pos can be l or r for text
\rightmargin — in list environment, horizontal
position.
distance between right margin of enclosing
\sigma is σ. \Sigma is Σ (math mode).
environment and right margin of list. Default
0in.
\signature{text} declares a signature for
letter document style.
\rm switches to Roman type.
\sim is ∼ (math mode).
\roman{counter} prints counter in lower-case
roman numerals. \Roman{counter} prints
\simeq is
(math mode).
upper-case roman numerals.
\sin is sin (math mode).
\rq is a right-quote: ’.
\sinh is sinh (math mode).
10
LATEX Command Summary
\sl switches to slanted typeface.
\supseteq is ⊇ (math mode).
√
\sloppy relaxes the line-breaking algorithm to
\surd is
(math mode).
allow more or less distance between words.
\swarrow is
(math mode).
Default is \fussy.
\symbol{cc} produces the symbol (glyph)
\small switches to smaller than normalsize
character code cc in the current font.
typeface.
\t prints a “tie-after” accent, as oo.
\smallint is ∫ (math mode).
\tabbingsep — distance to left of a tab stop
\smallskip — standard “small” vertical skip.
moved by \’.
\smallskipamount — default length for
\tabcolsep — half the width of the space
\smallskip.
between columns in tabular environment.
\smile is
(math mode).
\tableofcontents produces a table of contents.
\spadesuit is ♠ (math mode).
A .toc file must have been generated during a
\sqcap is
(math mode).
previous LATEX run.
\sqcup is
(math mode).
\tan is tan (math mode).
√
\sqrt[3]{arg} is
\tanh is tanh (math mode).
3 arg. 3 (root) is optional.
\sqsubset is ` (math mode).
\tau is τ (math mode).
\sqsubseteq is
(math mode).
\TeX produces the TEX logo.
\sqsupset is a (math mode).
\textfloatsep — distance between floats at the
top or bottom of a single-column page and the
\sqsupseteq is
(math mode).
text on that page.
\ss is ß.
\textfraction — minimum fraction of a text
\stackrel{stuff}{delim} puts stuff above the
page that must contain text.
delimiter; \stackrel{f}{\longrightarrow}
\textheight is the normal vertical dimension of
f
yields −→ (math mode).
the body of the page.
\star is
(math mode).
\textstyle switches to math environment
\stop — type this if TEX stops with a * and no
typesetting (math mode).
error message.
\textwidth is the normal horizontal dimension of
\subparagraph[toctitle]{text} begins a
the body of the page.
subparagraphs, automatically headed and
\thanks{footnote} adds an acknowledgement
numbered. Optional toctitle contains entry
footnote to an author’s name used in a
for the table of contents if different from text.
\maketitle command.
\subparagraph*{text} begins a subparagraph
\theta is θ. \Theta is Θ (math mode).
and prints a title, but doesn’t include a number
\thicklines is an alternate line thickness for
or make a table of contents entry.
lines in a picture environment. See also
\subsection[toctitle]{text},
linethickness.
\subsubsection[toctitle]{text} begin new
\thinlines is the default declaration for line
subsections, automatically headed and
thicknesses in a picture environment. See
numbered. Optional toctitle contains entry
\thicklines.
for the table of contents if different from text.
\thinspace is the proper space between single
\subsection*{text}, \subsubsection*{text}
and double quotes, as in ’ ”.
begin subsections, but suppress section number
\thispagestyle{sty} determines characteristics
and table of contents entry.
of head and foot for the current page only. Used
\subset is ⊂ (math mode).
to override \pagestyle (q.v.) temporarily.
\subseteq is ⊆ (math mode).
\tilde makes a tilde, as: ˜
a (math mode).
\succ is
(math mode).
\times is × (math mode).
\succeq is
(math mode).
\tiny switches to a very small typeface.
\sum is
(math mode).
\title{text} declares a document title for the
\sup is sup (math mode).
\maketitle command.
\supset is ⊃ (math mode).
\to is → (math mode).
December 28, 1999
11
\today generates today’s date.
\varphi is ϕ (math mode).
\top is
(math mode).
\varpi is
(math mode).
\topfraction — maximum fraction at the top of
\varrho is
(math mode).
a single-column page that may be occupied by
\varsigma is ς (math mode).
floats.
\vartheta is ϑ (math mode).
\topmargin — space between top of TEX page (1
\vdash is
(math mode).
inch from top of paper) and top of header.
.
\topsep — extra vertical space added before first
.
\vdots is . (math mode).
list item and after last list item.
\vec puts a vector over a letter: a (math mode).
\topskip — minimum distance between top of
\vector(x,y){len} in picture environment, in
page body to bottom of first line of text.
\put command, draws vector from \put
\triangle is
(math mode).
argument with length len and slope (x,y),
\triangleleft is
(math mode).
with arrowhead.
\triangleright is
(math mode).
\vee is ∨ (math mode).
\tt switches to typewriter type.
\verb/text/ creates a local verbatim
environment for text, printed in typewriter
\twocolumn[text] declares a two-column page,
with optional full-page width heading
font. Note that text is not in curly braces; it is
text.
between two identical delimiters, neither of
\typein[\cs]{text} displays text on the screen
which appears in text.
and waits for you to enter stuff which will be
put in the document at that point. Optional
\verb*/text/ is like \verb/text/, but spaces
control sequence
print out as .
\cs can be assigned the value
of your input, to be used later.
\vert is |. \Vert is
(math mode).
\typeout{text} displays text on the screen and
\vfill is \vspace{\fill} (cf. \fill).
writes it to the .lis file.
\vspace{len} leaves a vertical space of
\u prints a breve accent, as ˘
o.
dimension len.
\unboldmath unemboldens math italics and math
\vspace*{len} is like \vspace{len} but space is
symbols. Should be used outside of math mode.
not removed at the beginning or end of a page.
\underbrace{text} gives text (math mode).
\wedge is ∧ (math mode).
\underline{text} gives text (math mode or
\widehat{arg} is arg (math mode).
not).
\widetilde{arg} is arg (math mode).
\unitlength — length of coordinate units for
\wp is ℘ (math mode).
picture environment.
\wr is
(math mode).
\unlhd is ¢ (math mode).
\xi is ξ. \Xi is Ξ (math mode).
\unrhd is ¤ (math mode).
\year — current year (A.D.).
\uparrow is ↑. \Uparrow is ⇑ (math mode).
\zeta is ζ (math mode).
\updownarrow is . \Updownarrow is
(math
mode).
\uplus is
(math mode).
\upsilon is υ. \Upsilon is Υ (math mode).
\usebox{\binname} recalls box definition saved
in box \binname.
\usecounter{counter} is used in a list
environment to cause counter to be used to
number the items.
\v prints a h´
aˇ
cek, as ˇ
o.
\value{counter} produces the numeric value of
counter.
\varepsilon is ε (math mode).
12
LATEX Command Summary
LATEX typefaces
\rm
Roman
Miscellaneous symbols
\it
Italic
\bf
Boldface
\sl
Slanted
† \dag
§
\S
c
\copyright
\sf
Sans serif
‡ \ddag
¶ \P
£
\pounds
\sc
Small Caps
\tt
Typewriter
Dimensions or lengths
pt
point (72.27 pt/in)
Math-mode accents
pc
pica (12 pt/pc)
in
inch
ˆ
a
\hat{a}
˙a
\dot{a}
bp
big point (72 bp/in)
ˇ
a
\check{a}
¨
a
\ddot{a}
cm
centimeter (2.54 cm/in)
˜
a
\tilde{a}
˘
a
\breve{a}
mm
millimeter (10 mm/cm)
´
a
\acute{a}
¯
a
\bar{a}
dd
didˆ
ot point (1157 dd = 1238 pt)
`
a
\grave{a}
a
\vec{a}
cc
cicero (12 dd/cc)
sp
scaled point (65536 sp/pt)
em
font-dependent; “quad” width
ex
font-dependent; “x”-height
LATEX environments
Greek letters (math mode)
abstract
figure
quote
α
\alpha
ν
\nu
array
flushleft
tabbing
β
\beta
ξ
\xi
center
flushright
table
γ
\gamma
o
o
description
itemize
tabular
δ
\delta
π
\pi
displaymath
list
theorem
\epsilon
ρ
\rho
enumerate
math
titlepage
ζ
\zeta
σ
\sigma
eqnarray
minipage
verbatim
η
\eta
τ
\tau
equation
picture
verse
θ
\theta
υ
\upsilon
quotation
ι
\iota
φ
\phi
κ
\kappa
χ
\chi
λ
\lambda
ψ
\psi
Text-mode accents
µ
\mu
ω
\omega
`
o
\‘{o}
¯
o
\={o}
oo
\t{oo}
ε
\varepsilon
ς
\varsigma
´
o
\’{o}
˙o
\.{o}
¸
o
\c{o}
ϑ
\vartheta
ϕ
\varphi
ˆ
o
\ˆ{o}
˘
o
\u{o}
o.
\d{o}
\varrho
¨
o
\"{o}
ˇ
o
\v{o}
o
\b{o}
¯
˜
o
\˜{o}
˝
o
\H{o}
Γ
\Gamma
Σ
\Sigma
∆
\Delta
Υ
\Upsilon
National symbols
Θ
\Theta
Φ
\Phi
Λ
\Lambda
Ψ
\Psi
œ
\oe
˚
a
\aa
l
\l
Ξ
\Xi
Ω
\Omega
Œ
\OE
˚
A
\AA
L
\L
Π
\Pi
æ
\ae
ø
\o
ß
\ss
Æ
\AE
Ø
\O
December 28, 1999
13
Binary operations (math mode)
Variable-sized symbols (math mode)
± \pm
∩
\cap
\sum
\bigcap
\mp
∪
\cup
\
\prod
\bigcup
\setminus
\uplus
·
\cdot
\sqcap
\coprod
\bigsqcup
× \times
\sqcup
∗
\ast
\triangleleft
\int
\bigvee
\star
\triangleright
\oint
\bigwedge
\diamond
\wr
◦
\circ
\bigcirc
\bigodot
\bigotimes
•
\bullet
\bigtriangleup
÷
\bigoplus
\biguplus
\div
\bigtriangledown
¡ \lhd
£ \rhd
∨ \vee
\odot
∧ \wedge
†
\dagger
⊕ \oplus
‡
\ddagger
\ominus
\amalg
⊗ \otimes
¢ \unlhd
\oslash
¤ \unrhd
Delimiters (math mode)
(
(
)
)
[
[
]
]
{
\{
}
\}
\lfloor
\rfloor
\lceil
\rceil
\langle
\rangle
Relations (math mode)
/
/
\
\backslash
|
\vert
\Vert
≤ \leq
≥
\geq
↑
\uparrow
⇑
\Uparrow
↓
\prec
\succ
\downarrow
⇓
\Downarrow
\preceq
\succeq
\updownarrow
\Updownarrow
\ll
\gg
⊂ \subset
⊃
\supset
⊆ \subseteq
⊇
\supseteq
` \sqsubset
a
\sqsupset
\sqsubseteq
\sqsupseteq
∈
\in
\ni
\vdash
\dashv
“Log-like” functions (math mode)
\smile
|
\mid
\frown
\parallel
\arccos
\csc
\ker
\min
=
\neq
⊥
\perp
\arcsin
\deg
\lg
\Pr
≡ \equiv
∼
=
\cong
\arctan
\det
\lim
\sec
∼ \sim
\bowtie
\arg
\dim
\liminf
\sin
\simeq
∝
\propto
\cos
\exp
\limsup
\sinh
\asymp
|= \models
\cosh
\gcd
\ln
\sup
≈
.
\approx
=
\doteq
\cot
\hom
\log
\tan
I
\Join
\coth
\inf
\max
\tanh
14
LATEX Command Summary
Arrows (math mode)
← \leftarrow
←−
\longleftarrow
⇐ \Leftarrow
⇐=
\Longleftarrow
→ \rightarrow
−→
\longrightarrow
⇒ \Rightarrow
=⇒
\Longrightarrow
↔ \leftrightarrow
←→ \longleftrightarrow
⇔ \Leftrightarrow
⇐⇒ \Longleftrightarrow
→ \mapsto
−→
\longmapsto
←
\hookleftarrow
→
\hookrightarrow
\leftharpoonup
\rightharpoonup
\leftharpoondown
\rightharpoondown
\rightleftharpoons
Y
\leadsto
↑
\uparrow
\Updownarrow
⇑
\Uparrow
\nearrow
↓
\downarrow
\searrow
⇓
\Downarrow
\swarrow
\updownarrow
\nwarrow
Miscellaneous symbols (math mode)
ℵ
\aleph
\prime
¯
h
\hbar
∅
\emptyset
ı
\imath
\nabla
√
\jmath
\surd
\ell
\top
℘
\wp
⊥ \bot
\Re
\|
\Im
\angle
∂
\partial
\triangle
∞ \infty
\
\backslash
P
\Box
Q \Diamond
∀
\forall
\sharp
∃
\exists
♣ \clubsuit
¬
\neg
♦ \diamondsuit
\flat
♥ \heartsuit
\natural
♠ \spadesuit
H
\mho
