What is the difference between a macro and a command in LaTeX?

In LaTeX, the terms are often used interchangeably. Technically, a macro is any user-defined command created with \newcommand, \def, or similar. All macros are commands, but not all commands are user-defined macros—some are built into LaTeX.

Where should I put my macro definitions?

Put macro definitions in the preamble (between \documentclass and \begin{document}). For reusable macros across multiple documents, save them in a .sty file that you can include with \usepackage.

Can macros slow down LaTeX compilation?

Simple macros have negligible performance impact. However, deeply nested macros or those that perform complex operations on every invocation can slow compilation in very long documents. For most academic use cases, this is not a concern.

Essential LaTeX Macros Every Academic Should Know

The Power of a Well-Curated Macro Library

Every experienced LaTeX user has a personal collection of macros—shortcuts that eliminate repetitive typing, ensure consistency, and encode best practices. This guide provides a curated set of production-ready macros organized by use case.

Unlike generic tutorials, these macros come from real academic workflows. Each one solves a specific problem you'll encounter when writing papers, theses, or technical documents.

Mathematical Notation Macros

Mathematics is where LaTeX shines, and good macros make it shine brighter.

Vector and Matrix Notation

Different fields use different conventions. Here are the common ones:

% Bold vectors (physics, engineering)
\newcommand{\vect}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}
\newcommand{\mat}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}
 
% Arrow vectors (some mathematics)
\newcommand{\veca}[1]{\vec{#1}}
 
% Underline vectors (crystallography)
\newcommand{\vecu}[1]{\underline{#1}}
 
% Usage:
% The vector \vect{x} is multiplied by matrix \mat{A}.

Probability and Statistics

Essential for any data-driven paper:

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}
 
% Probability
\newcommand{\prob}[1]{\mathbb{P}\left(#1\right)}
\newcommand{\condprob}[2]{\mathbb{P}\left(#1 \,\middle|\, #2\right)}
 
% Expected value and variance
\newcommand{\expect}[1]{\mathbb{E}\left[#1\right]}
\newcommand{\condexpect}[2]{\mathbb{E}\left[#1 \,\middle|\, #2\right]}
\newcommand{\var}[1]{\text{Var}\left(#1\right)}
\newcommand{\cov}[2]{\text{Cov}\left(#1, #2\right)}
 
% Distributions
\newcommand{\normal}[2]{\mathcal{N}\left(#1, #2\right)}
\newcommand{\uniform}[2]{\text{Uniform}\left(#1, #2\right)}
 
% Indicators
\newcommand{\indic}[1]{\mathbf{1}\left\{#1\right\}}
 
% Usage:
% Let $X \sim \normal{\mu}{\sigma^2}$. Then $\expect{X} = \mu$.
% The conditional probability is $\condprob{A}{B}$.

Derivatives and Calculus

Clean, consistent derivative notation:

% Ordinary derivatives
\newcommand{\deriv}[2]{\frac{d #1}{d #2}}
\newcommand{\dderiv}[2]{\frac{d^2 #1}{d #2^2}}
\newcommand{\nderiv}[3]{\frac{d^{#3} #1}{d #2^{#3}}}
 
% Partial derivatives
\newcommand{\pderiv}[2]{\frac{\partial #1}{\partial #2}}
\newcommand{\ppderiv}[2]{\frac{\partial^2 #1}{\partial #2^2}}
\newcommand{\pmderiv}[3]{\frac{\partial^2 #1}{\partial #2 \partial #3}}
 
% Evaluated at
\newcommand{\evalat}[2]{\left. #1 \right|_{#2}}
 
% Usage:
% \deriv{f}{x}, \pderiv{f}{x}, \evalat{\deriv{f}{x}}{x=0}

Sets and Logic

For discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science:

% Common sets
\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb{R}}
\newcommand{\N}{\mathbb{N}}
\newcommand{\Z}{\mathbb{Z}}
\newcommand{\Q}{\mathbb{Q}}
\newcommand{\C}{\mathbb{C}}
 
% Set operations
\newcommand{\set}[1]{\left\{#1\right\}}
\newcommand{\setof}[2]{\left\{#1 \,\middle|\, #2\right\}}
 
% Common operators
\newcommand{\abs}[1]{\left|#1\right|}
\newcommand{\norm}[1]{\left\|#1\right\|}
\newcommand{\floor}[1]{\left\lfloor#1\right\rfloor}
\newcommand{\ceil}[1]{\left\lceil#1\right\rceil}
 
% Usage:
% For all $x \in \R$, we have $\abs{x} \geq 0$.
% The set $\setof{x \in \N}{x > 5}$ is infinite.

Linear Algebra

Common operations and notation:

% Transpose and inverse
\newcommand{\trans}[1]{#1^{\mkern-1.5mu\mathsf{T}}}
\newcommand{\inv}[1]{#1^{-1}}
\newcommand{\pinv}[1]{#1^{\dagger}}
 
% Trace and determinant
\DeclareMathOperator{\tr}{tr}
\DeclareMathOperator{\diag}{diag}
\DeclareMathOperator{\rank}{rank}
\DeclareMathOperator{\spn}{span}
 
% Inner product
\newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}
 
% Usage:
% For matrix $\mat{A}$, $\trans{\mat{A}}$ is its transpose.
% The inner product is $\inner{\vect{x}}{\vect{y}}$.

Text and Document Macros

Common Abbreviations

Properly formatted with correct spacing:

\usepackage{xspace}
 
% Latin abbreviations (italicized)
\newcommand{\eg}{\textit{e.g.},\xspace}
\newcommand{\ie}{\textit{i.e.},\xspace}
\newcommand{\cf}{\textit{cf.}\xspace}
\newcommand{\viz}{\textit{viz.}\xspace}
\newcommand{\nb}{\textit{N.B.}\xspace}
 
% Author references
\newcommand{\etal}{\textit{et al.}\xspace}
 
% Figure/Table references
\newcommand{\figref}[1]{Figure~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\tabref}[1]{Table~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\secref}[1]{Section~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\eqnref}[1]{Equation~\eqref{#1}}
 
% Usage:
% There are several approaches, \eg neural networks and random forests.
% See \figref{fig:results} for the results.

Draft Mode Annotations

Essential during writing and revision:

\usepackage{xcolor}
 
% Basic annotations
\newcommand{\todo}[1]{\textcolor{red}{\textbf{TODO: #1}}}
\newcommand{\note}[1]{\textcolor{blue}{\textbf{Note: #1}}}
\newcommand{\fixme}[1]{\textcolor{orange}{\textbf{FIXME: #1}}}
 
% Margin notes
\newcommand{\margintodo}[1]{\marginpar{\footnotesize\textcolor{red}{#1}}}
 
% Strikethrough for deleted text
\usepackage{soul}
\newcommand{\deleted}[1]{\textcolor{gray}{\st{#1}}}
 
% Highlighted additions
\newcommand{\added}[1]{\textcolor{blue}{#1}}
 
% Toggle for final version (comment/uncomment to hide annotations)
% \renewcommand{\todo}[1]{}
% \renewcommand{\note}[1]{}
% \renewcommand{\fixme}[1]{}
 
% Usage:
% The algorithm \todo{add complexity analysis} runs in linear time.
% \deleted{old approach} \added{new approach}

Author-Specific Comments

For collaborative writing:

\usepackage{xcolor}
 
% Define author colors
\definecolor{alice}{RGB}{0, 100, 180}
\definecolor{bob}{RGB}{180, 60, 0}
\definecolor{carol}{RGB}{0, 130, 60}
 
% Author-specific comments
\newcommand{\alice}[1]{\textcolor{alice}{[Alice: #1]}}
\newcommand{\bob}[1]{\textcolor{bob}{[Bob: #1]}}
\newcommand{\carol}[1]{\textcolor{carol}{[Carol: #1]}}
 
% Usage:
% The results show \alice{should we include confidence intervals?}
% a significant improvement \bob{agreed, let's add them}.

Environment Shortcuts

Figure Insertion

Streamlined figure placement:

\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{xparse}
 
\NewDocumentCommand{\insertfig}{O{htbp} O{0.8\textwidth} m m m}{%
  % #1 = placement (default htbp)
  % #2 = width (default 0.8\textwidth)
  % #3 = filename
  % #4 = caption
  % #5 = label
  \begin{figure}[#1]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=#2]{#3}
    \caption{#4}
    \label{#5}
  \end{figure}
}
 
% Usage:
% \insertfig{diagram.pdf}{A system diagram}{fig:system}
% \insertfig[t][0.6\textwidth]{chart.pdf}{Performance chart}{fig:perf}

Side-by-Side Figures

Common in comparative analyses:

\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{subcaption}
 
\newcommand{\twofigs}[6]{%
  % #1, #2 = filenames
  % #3, #4 = subcaptions
  % #5 = main caption
  % #6 = label
  \begin{figure}[htbp]
    \centering
    \begin{subfigure}[b]{0.48\textwidth}
      \centering
      \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{#1}
      \caption{#3}
    \end{subfigure}
    \hfill
    \begin{subfigure}[b]{0.48\textwidth}
      \centering
      \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{#2}
      \caption{#4}
    \end{subfigure}
    \caption{#5}
    \label{#6}
  \end{figure}
}
 
% Usage:
% \twofigs{before.png}{after.png}{Before}{After}{Comparison of methods}{fig:compare}

Quick Lists

For frequently-used list patterns:

\usepackage{enumitem}
 
% Compact numbered list
\newenvironment{numlist}{%
  \begin{enumerate}[noitemsep, topsep=0pt]
}{%
  \end{enumerate}
}
 
% Compact bullet list
\newenvironment{bulletlist}{%
  \begin{itemize}[noitemsep, topsep=0pt]
}{%
  \end{itemize}
}
 
% Inline list (horizontal)
\newcommand{\inlinelist}[1]{%
  \begin{enumerate*}[label=(\roman*)]
    #1
  \end{enumerate*}
}

Domain-Specific Macro Collections

For Physics Papers

\usepackage{siunitx}
\usepackage{physics}  % Provides many physics macros
 
% Physical quantities with units
\newcommand{\qty}[2]{#1\,\si{#2}}
 
% Common physics notation
\newcommand{\bra}[1]{\langle #1 |}
\newcommand{\ket}[1]{| #1 \rangle}
\newcommand{\braket}[2]{\langle #1 | #2 \rangle}
 
% Order of magnitude
\newcommand{\order}[1]{\mathcal{O}\left(#1\right)}
 
% Usage:
% The energy is \qty{5.2}{eV}.
% The state $\ket{\psi}$ evolves as $\braket{\phi}{\psi}$.

For Computer Science Papers

% Complexity classes
\newcommand{\bigO}[1]{\mathcal{O}\left(#1\right)}
\newcommand{\bigTheta}[1]{\Theta\left(#1\right)}
\newcommand{\bigOmega}[1]{\Omega\left(#1\right)}
 
% Algorithms
\newcommand{\algname}[1]{\textsc{#1}}
\newcommand{\code}[1]{\texttt{#1}}
\newcommand{\funcname}[1]{\texttt{#1}()}
 
% Common operators
\DeclareMathOperator*{\argmax}{arg\,max}
\DeclareMathOperator*{\argmin}{arg\,min}
\DeclareMathOperator{\softmax}{softmax}
 
% Usage:
% The \algname{QuickSort} algorithm runs in $\bigO{n \log n}$ expected time.
% Call \funcname{initialize} before processing.

For Economics Papers

% Utility and optimization
\DeclareMathOperator*{\maximize}{maximize}
\DeclareMathOperator*{\minimize}{minimize}
\newcommand{\st}{\text{subject to}\quad}
 
% Game theory
\newcommand{\nash}{\text{Nash Equilibrium}}
\newcommand{\strategy}[1]{\mathcal{S}_{#1}}
 
% Elasticity
\newcommand{\elasticity}[2]{\varepsilon_{#1,#2}}
 
% Usage:
% $\maximize_{x} f(x) \st g(x) \leq c$

Organizing Your Macro Library

Project-Specific vs. Universal Macros

Organize macros into categories:

Universal macros (use in every project):

Text abbreviations (\eg, \ie, \etal)
Basic math operators (\abs, \norm)
Reference shortcuts (\figref, \tabref)

Domain-specific macros (use in related projects):

Physics notation packages
Statistics notation packages
Computer science notation packages

Project-specific macros (use in one document):

Your method's name
Paper-specific notation
Draft annotations

Creating Reusable Packages

Save universal macros in a .sty file:

% ~/texmf/tex/latex/personal/mymacros.sty
\NeedsTeXFormat{LaTeX2e}
\ProvidesPackage{mymacros}[2024/01/01 Personal Macro Collection]
 
\RequirePackage{xspace}
\RequirePackage{amsmath}
\RequirePackage{amssymb}
 
% ... macro definitions ...
 
\endinput

Then use in any document:

\usepackage{mymacros}

Best Practices for Macro Design

1. Use Semantic Names

% Good: name describes the concept
\newcommand{\gradient}[1]{\nabla #1}
 
% Bad: name describes the appearance
\newcommand{\upsidedowntriangle}[1]{\nabla #1}

2. Document Your Macros

% \deriv{numerator}{denominator}
% Produces a fraction for ordinary derivatives.
% Example: \deriv{f}{x} produces df/dx
\newcommand{\deriv}[2]{\frac{d #1}{d #2}}

3. Make Macros Robust When Needed

\usepackage{etoolbox}
\robustify{\mycommand}  % Prevents issues in captions/titles

4. Test Edge Cases

Before using a new macro extensively, test it with:

Empty arguments
Long arguments
Special characters
In math mode and text mode
In captions and section titles

Conclusion

A well-crafted macro library is an investment that pays dividends throughout your academic career. Start with the essentials—mathematical notation and text shortcuts—then expand as you identify patterns in your writing.

The macros in this guide are battle-tested across dissertations, journal papers, and technical reports. Copy what you need, adapt to your conventions, and build from there.

Remember: the best macro library is the one you'll actually use. Start small, stay organized, and iterate.

Put these macros to work in Thetapad—compile locally, see instant previews, and keep your documents private.

The Power of a Well-Curated Macro Library

Unlike generic tutorials, these macros come from real academic workflows. Each one solves a specific problem you'll encounter when writing papers, theses, or technical documents.

Mathematical Notation Macros

Mathematics is where LaTeX shines, and good macros make it shine brighter.

Vector and Matrix Notation

Different fields use different conventions. Here are the common ones:

% Bold vectors (physics, engineering)
\newcommand{\vect}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}
\newcommand{\mat}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}
 
% Arrow vectors (some mathematics)
\newcommand{\veca}[1]{\vec{#1}}
 
% Underline vectors (crystallography)
\newcommand{\vecu}[1]{\underline{#1}}
 
% Usage:
% The vector \vect{x} is multiplied by matrix \mat{A}.

Probability and Statistics

Essential for any data-driven paper:

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}
 
% Probability
\newcommand{\prob}[1]{\mathbb{P}\left(#1\right)}
\newcommand{\condprob}[2]{\mathbb{P}\left(#1 \,\middle|\, #2\right)}
 
% Expected value and variance
\newcommand{\expect}[1]{\mathbb{E}\left[#1\right]}
\newcommand{\condexpect}[2]{\mathbb{E}\left[#1 \,\middle|\, #2\right]}
\newcommand{\var}[1]{\text{Var}\left(#1\right)}
\newcommand{\cov}[2]{\text{Cov}\left(#1, #2\right)}
 
% Distributions
\newcommand{\normal}[2]{\mathcal{N}\left(#1, #2\right)}
\newcommand{\uniform}[2]{\text{Uniform}\left(#1, #2\right)}
 
% Indicators
\newcommand{\indic}[1]{\mathbf{1}\left\{#1\right\}}
 
% Usage:
% Let $X \sim \normal{\mu}{\sigma^2}$. Then $\expect{X} = \mu$.
% The conditional probability is $\condprob{A}{B}$.

Derivatives and Calculus

Clean, consistent derivative notation:

% Ordinary derivatives
\newcommand{\deriv}[2]{\frac{d #1}{d #2}}
\newcommand{\dderiv}[2]{\frac{d^2 #1}{d #2^2}}
\newcommand{\nderiv}[3]{\frac{d^{#3} #1}{d #2^{#3}}}
 
% Partial derivatives
\newcommand{\pderiv}[2]{\frac{\partial #1}{\partial #2}}
\newcommand{\ppderiv}[2]{\frac{\partial^2 #1}{\partial #2^2}}
\newcommand{\pmderiv}[3]{\frac{\partial^2 #1}{\partial #2 \partial #3}}
 
% Evaluated at
\newcommand{\evalat}[2]{\left. #1 \right|_{#2}}
 
% Usage:
% \deriv{f}{x}, \pderiv{f}{x}, \evalat{\deriv{f}{x}}{x=0}

Sets and Logic

For discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science:

% Common sets
\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb{R}}
\newcommand{\N}{\mathbb{N}}
\newcommand{\Z}{\mathbb{Z}}
\newcommand{\Q}{\mathbb{Q}}
\newcommand{\C}{\mathbb{C}}
 
% Set operations
\newcommand{\set}[1]{\left\{#1\right\}}
\newcommand{\setof}[2]{\left\{#1 \,\middle|\, #2\right\}}
 
% Common operators
\newcommand{\abs}[1]{\left|#1\right|}
\newcommand{\norm}[1]{\left\|#1\right\|}
\newcommand{\floor}[1]{\left\lfloor#1\right\rfloor}
\newcommand{\ceil}[1]{\left\lceil#1\right\rceil}
 
% Usage:
% For all $x \in \R$, we have $\abs{x} \geq 0$.
% The set $\setof{x \in \N}{x > 5}$ is infinite.

Linear Algebra

Common operations and notation:

% Transpose and inverse
\newcommand{\trans}[1]{#1^{\mkern-1.5mu\mathsf{T}}}
\newcommand{\inv}[1]{#1^{-1}}
\newcommand{\pinv}[1]{#1^{\dagger}}
 
% Trace and determinant
\DeclareMathOperator{\tr}{tr}
\DeclareMathOperator{\diag}{diag}
\DeclareMathOperator{\rank}{rank}
\DeclareMathOperator{\spn}{span}
 
% Inner product
\newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}
 
% Usage:
% For matrix $\mat{A}$, $\trans{\mat{A}}$ is its transpose.
% The inner product is $\inner{\vect{x}}{\vect{y}}$.

Text and Document Macros

Common Abbreviations

Properly formatted with correct spacing:

\usepackage{xspace}
 
% Latin abbreviations (italicized)
\newcommand{\eg}{\textit{e.g.},\xspace}
\newcommand{\ie}{\textit{i.e.},\xspace}
\newcommand{\cf}{\textit{cf.}\xspace}
\newcommand{\viz}{\textit{viz.}\xspace}
\newcommand{\nb}{\textit{N.B.}\xspace}
 
% Author references
\newcommand{\etal}{\textit{et al.}\xspace}
 
% Figure/Table references
\newcommand{\figref}[1]{Figure~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\tabref}[1]{Table~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\secref}[1]{Section~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\eqnref}[1]{Equation~\eqref{#1}}
 
% Usage:
% There are several approaches, \eg neural networks and random forests.
% See \figref{fig:results} for the results.

Draft Mode Annotations

Essential during writing and revision:

\usepackage{xcolor}
 
% Basic annotations
\newcommand{\todo}[1]{\textcolor{red}{\textbf{TODO: #1}}}
\newcommand{\note}[1]{\textcolor{blue}{\textbf{Note: #1}}}
\newcommand{\fixme}[1]{\textcolor{orange}{\textbf{FIXME: #1}}}
 
% Margin notes
\newcommand{\margintodo}[1]{\marginpar{\footnotesize\textcolor{red}{#1}}}
 
% Strikethrough for deleted text
\usepackage{soul}
\newcommand{\deleted}[1]{\textcolor{gray}{\st{#1}}}
 
% Highlighted additions
\newcommand{\added}[1]{\textcolor{blue}{#1}}
 
% Toggle for final version (comment/uncomment to hide annotations)
% \renewcommand{\todo}[1]{}
% \renewcommand{\note}[1]{}
% \renewcommand{\fixme}[1]{}
 
% Usage:
% The algorithm \todo{add complexity analysis} runs in linear time.
% \deleted{old approach} \added{new approach}

Author-Specific Comments

For collaborative writing:

\usepackage{xcolor}
 
% Define author colors
\definecolor{alice}{RGB}{0, 100, 180}
\definecolor{bob}{RGB}{180, 60, 0}
\definecolor{carol}{RGB}{0, 130, 60}
 
% Author-specific comments
\newcommand{\alice}[1]{\textcolor{alice}{[Alice: #1]}}
\newcommand{\bob}[1]{\textcolor{bob}{[Bob: #1]}}
\newcommand{\carol}[1]{\textcolor{carol}{[Carol: #1]}}
 
% Usage:
% The results show \alice{should we include confidence intervals?}
% a significant improvement \bob{agreed, let's add them}.

Environment Shortcuts

Figure Insertion

Streamlined figure placement:

\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{xparse}
 
\NewDocumentCommand{\insertfig}{O{htbp} O{0.8\textwidth} m m m}{%
  % #1 = placement (default htbp)
  % #2 = width (default 0.8\textwidth)
  % #3 = filename
  % #4 = caption
  % #5 = label
  \begin{figure}[#1]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=#2]{#3}
    \caption{#4}
    \label{#5}
  \end{figure}
}
 
% Usage:
% \insertfig{diagram.pdf}{A system diagram}{fig:system}
% \insertfig[t][0.6\textwidth]{chart.pdf}{Performance chart}{fig:perf}

Side-by-Side Figures

Common in comparative analyses:

\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{subcaption}
 
\newcommand{\twofigs}[6]{%
  % #1, #2 = filenames
  % #3, #4 = subcaptions
  % #5 = main caption
  % #6 = label
  \begin{figure}[htbp]
    \centering
    \begin{subfigure}[b]{0.48\textwidth}
      \centering
      \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{#1}
      \caption{#3}
    \end{subfigure}
    \hfill
    \begin{subfigure}[b]{0.48\textwidth}
      \centering
      \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{#2}
      \caption{#4}
    \end{subfigure}
    \caption{#5}
    \label{#6}
  \end{figure}
}
 
% Usage:
% \twofigs{before.png}{after.png}{Before}{After}{Comparison of methods}{fig:compare}

Quick Lists

For frequently-used list patterns:

\usepackage{enumitem}
 
% Compact numbered list
\newenvironment{numlist}{%
  \begin{enumerate}[noitemsep, topsep=0pt]
}{%
  \end{enumerate}
}
 
% Compact bullet list
\newenvironment{bulletlist}{%
  \begin{itemize}[noitemsep, topsep=0pt]
}{%
  \end{itemize}
}
 
% Inline list (horizontal)
\newcommand{\inlinelist}[1]{%
  \begin{enumerate*}[label=(\roman*)]
    #1
  \end{enumerate*}
}

Domain-Specific Macro Collections

For Physics Papers

\usepackage{siunitx}
\usepackage{physics}  % Provides many physics macros
 
% Physical quantities with units
\newcommand{\qty}[2]{#1\,\si{#2}}
 
% Common physics notation
\newcommand{\bra}[1]{\langle #1 |}
\newcommand{\ket}[1]{| #1 \rangle}
\newcommand{\braket}[2]{\langle #1 | #2 \rangle}
 
% Order of magnitude
\newcommand{\order}[1]{\mathcal{O}\left(#1\right)}
 
% Usage:
% The energy is \qty{5.2}{eV}.
% The state $\ket{\psi}$ evolves as $\braket{\phi}{\psi}$.

For Computer Science Papers

% Complexity classes
\newcommand{\bigO}[1]{\mathcal{O}\left(#1\right)}
\newcommand{\bigTheta}[1]{\Theta\left(#1\right)}
\newcommand{\bigOmega}[1]{\Omega\left(#1\right)}
 
% Algorithms
\newcommand{\algname}[1]{\textsc{#1}}
\newcommand{\code}[1]{\texttt{#1}}
\newcommand{\funcname}[1]{\texttt{#1}()}
 
% Common operators
\DeclareMathOperator*{\argmax}{arg\,max}
\DeclareMathOperator*{\argmin}{arg\,min}
\DeclareMathOperator{\softmax}{softmax}
 
% Usage:
% The \algname{QuickSort} algorithm runs in $\bigO{n \log n}$ expected time.
% Call \funcname{initialize} before processing.

For Economics Papers

% Utility and optimization
\DeclareMathOperator*{\maximize}{maximize}
\DeclareMathOperator*{\minimize}{minimize}
\newcommand{\st}{\text{subject to}\quad}
 
% Game theory
\newcommand{\nash}{\text{Nash Equilibrium}}
\newcommand{\strategy}[1]{\mathcal{S}_{#1}}
 
% Elasticity
\newcommand{\elasticity}[2]{\varepsilon_{#1,#2}}
 
% Usage:
% $\maximize_{x} f(x) \st g(x) \leq c$

Organizing Your Macro Library

Project-Specific vs. Universal Macros

Organize macros into categories:

Universal macros (use in every project):

Text abbreviations (\eg, \ie, \etal)
Basic math operators (\abs, \norm)
Reference shortcuts (\figref, \tabref)

Domain-specific macros (use in related projects):

Physics notation packages
Statistics notation packages
Computer science notation packages

Project-specific macros (use in one document):

Your method's name
Paper-specific notation
Draft annotations

Creating Reusable Packages

Save universal macros in a .sty file:

% ~/texmf/tex/latex/personal/mymacros.sty
\NeedsTeXFormat{LaTeX2e}
\ProvidesPackage{mymacros}[2024/01/01 Personal Macro Collection]
 
\RequirePackage{xspace}
\RequirePackage{amsmath}
\RequirePackage{amssymb}
 
% ... macro definitions ...
 
\endinput

Then use in any document:

\usepackage{mymacros}

Best Practices for Macro Design

1. Use Semantic Names

% Good: name describes the concept
\newcommand{\gradient}[1]{\nabla #1}
 
% Bad: name describes the appearance
\newcommand{\upsidedowntriangle}[1]{\nabla #1}

2. Document Your Macros

% \deriv{numerator}{denominator}
% Produces a fraction for ordinary derivatives.
% Example: \deriv{f}{x} produces df/dx
\newcommand{\deriv}[2]{\frac{d #1}{d #2}}

3. Make Macros Robust When Needed

\usepackage{etoolbox}
\robustify{\mycommand}  % Prevents issues in captions/titles

4. Test Edge Cases

Before using a new macro extensively, test it with:

Empty arguments
Long arguments
Special characters
In math mode and text mode
In captions and section titles

Conclusion

The macros in this guide are battle-tested across dissertations, journal papers, and technical reports. Copy what you need, adapt to your conventions, and build from there.

Remember: the best macro library is the one you'll actually use. Start small, stay organized, and iterate.

Put these macros to work in Thetapad—compile locally, see instant previews, and keep your documents private.

The Power of a Well-Curated Macro Library

Mathematical Notation Macros

Vector and Matrix Notation

Probability and Statistics

Derivatives and Calculus

Sets and Logic

Linear Algebra

Text and Document Macros

Common Abbreviations

Draft Mode Annotations

Author-Specific Comments

Environment Shortcuts

Figure Insertion

Side-by-Side Figures

Quick Lists

Domain-Specific Macro Collections

For Physics Papers

For Computer Science Papers

For Economics Papers

Organizing Your Macro Library

Project-Specific vs. Universal Macros

Creating Reusable Packages

Best Practices for Macro Design

1. Use Semantic Names

2. Document Your Macros

3. Make Macros Robust When Needed

4. Test Edge Cases

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles

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The Complete Guide to Custom LaTeX Commands

The Power of a Well-Curated Macro Library

Mathematical Notation Macros

Vector and Matrix Notation

Probability and Statistics

Derivatives and Calculus

Sets and Logic

Linear Algebra

Text and Document Macros

Common Abbreviations

Draft Mode Annotations

Author-Specific Comments

Environment Shortcuts

Figure Insertion

Side-by-Side Figures

Quick Lists

Domain-Specific Macro Collections

For Physics Papers

For Computer Science Papers

For Economics Papers

Organizing Your Macro Library

Project-Specific vs. Universal Macros

Creating Reusable Packages

Best Practices for Macro Design

1. Use Semantic Names

2. Document Your Macros

3. Make Macros Robust When Needed

4. Test Edge Cases

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

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