Never Type 'Figure 3' Again: Automatic Cross-References in LaTeX

The Nightmare Scenario

You're finalizing your thesis. You add a figure to Chapter 2. Suddenly, every figure reference after it is wrong. "See Figure 3" now points to Figure 4. You manually renumber everything.

Then your advisor says to move Figure 7 earlier in the document.

This nightmare is entirely preventable. LaTeX's cross-referencing system means you never type "Figure 3" manually. You label once, reference by name, and LaTeX handles all the numbering. Add figures, move sections, reorganize chapters—every reference updates automatically.

Here's how to set it up right. (For a tool that handles this automatically as you write, try our LaTeX editor with real-time preview.)

The Basic System

Labels

Attach labels to anything you want to reference:

\section{Introduction}
\label{sec:introduction}
 
\begin{figure}
    \includegraphics{...}
    \caption{Results overview}
    \label{fig:results}
\end{figure}
 
\begin{equation}
    E = mc^2
    \label{eq:einstein}
\end{equation}
 
\begin{table}
    ...
    \caption{Summary statistics}
    \label{tab:summary}
\end{table}

References

Reference labels anywhere in your document:

As shown in Section \ref{sec:introduction}...
Figure \ref{fig:results} demonstrates...
From Equation \ref{eq:einstein}, we derive...
Table \ref{tab:summary} presents...

Compile Twice

Cross-references require two compilations:

First pass: LaTeX records labels
Second pass: LaTeX fills in references

If you see ??, compile again.

Naming Conventions

Prefix System

Use consistent prefixes for different element types:

| Type | Prefix | Example | |------|--------|---------| | Section | sec: | \label{sec:methods} | | Figure | fig: | \label{fig:diagram} | | Table | tab: | \label{tab:results} | | Equation | eq: | \label{eq:derivative} | | Chapter | ch: | \label{ch:introduction} | | Appendix | app: | \label{app:proofs} | | Theorem | thm: | \label{thm:main} | | Lemma | lem: | \label{lem:helper} | | Definition | def: | \label{def:concept} |

This makes labels self-documenting and prevents conflicts.

Descriptive Names

Choose meaningful names:

% Good
\label{fig:experimental-setup}
\label{tab:participant-demographics}
\label{eq:bayesian-posterior}
 
% Less helpful
\label{fig:figure1}
\label{tab:table}
\label{eq:eq2}

Descriptive names help when your document grows large.

The cleveref Package

The cleveref package automates reference formatting:

\usepackage{cleveref}
 
% Automatic type detection
\cref{sec:methods}     % section 3
\cref{fig:results}     % figure 2
\cref{eq:einstein}     % equation 1
 
% Capitalized at sentence start
\Cref{sec:methods}     % Section 3
 
% Multiple references
\cref{fig:a,fig:b,fig:c}  % figures 1, 2, and 3
\cref{eq:1,eq:2}           % equations 1 and 2

Configuring cleveref

\usepackage{cleveref}
 
% Customize names
\crefname{equation}{Eq.}{Eqs.}
\crefname{figure}{Fig.}{Figs.}
\crefname{table}{Tab.}{Tabs.}
\crefname{section}{Sec.}{Secs.}
 
% Or full names
\crefname{equation}{Equation}{Equations}

Range References

\crefrange{eq:first}{eq:last}
% Output: equations 1 to 5
 
\crefrange{fig:a}{fig:d}
% Output: figures 3 to 6

Hyperlinks with hyperref

Basic Setup

\usepackage{hyperref}
 
% References become clickable
See Section \ref{sec:methods}  % Clicking jumps to that section

Configuration

\usepackage{hyperref}
\hypersetup{
    colorlinks=true,
    linkcolor=blue,
    citecolor=blue,
    urlcolor=blue,
    pdftitle={Your Paper Title},
    pdfauthor={Your Name}
}

Link Styles

% Colored links (screen-friendly)
\hypersetup{colorlinks=true, linkcolor=blue}
 
% Boxed links (don't print)
\hypersetup{colorlinks=false}
 
% No visible links (professional print)
\hypersetup{hidelinks}

For submissions, journals often prefer hidelinks or black links.

Manual Hyperlinks

% URL links
\url{https://example.com}
\href{https://example.com}{Click here}
 
% Internal links
\hyperref[sec:methods]{see the methods section}

Page References

\pageref

Reference page numbers:

See Figure \ref{fig:results} on page \pageref{fig:results}.

\vref (varioref)

Smart page references:

\usepackage{varioref}
 
\vref{fig:results}
% Outputs contextually:
% "figure 3"                     (same page)
% "figure 3 on the facing page"  (adjacent page)
% "figure 3 on page 42"          (distant page)

Equation References

Standard References

\begin{equation}
    a^2 + b^2 = c^2
    \label{eq:pythagoras}
\end{equation}
 
From Equation \ref{eq:pythagoras}...
% Output: From Equation (1)...

eqref for Parentheses

\usepackage{amsmath}
 
From \eqref{eq:pythagoras}...
% Output: From (1)...

Subequations

\begin{subequations}
\label{eq:maxwell}
\begin{align}
    \nabla \cdot \mathbf{E} &= \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_0} \label{eq:gauss} \\
    \nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} &= 0 \label{eq:divb}
\end{align}
\end{subequations}
 
Maxwell's equations \eqref{eq:maxwell} include Gauss's law \eqref{eq:gauss}...
% Output: Maxwell's equations (1) include Gauss's law (1a)...

Figure and Table References

Label Placement

Labels must come after \caption:

% Correct
\begin{figure}
    \includegraphics{...}
    \caption{Description}
    \label{fig:correct}  % After caption
\end{figure}
 
% Incorrect (label references the section, not the figure)
\begin{figure}
    \label{fig:wrong}    % Before caption - WRONG
    \includegraphics{...}
    \caption{Description}
\end{figure}

Subfigures

\usepackage{subcaption}
 
\begin{figure}
    \begin{subfigure}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
        \includegraphics{a}
        \caption{First part}
        \label{fig:sub-a}
    \end{subfigure}
    \hfill
    \begin{subfigure}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
        \includegraphics{b}
        \caption{Second part}
        \label{fig:sub-b}
    \end{subfigure}
    \caption{Overall caption}
    \label{fig:overall}
\end{figure}
 
\cref{fig:overall} shows... \cref{fig:sub-a} specifically...
% Output: Figure 1 shows... Figure 1a specifically...

Bibliography References

Basic Citations

\cite{smith2020}        % [1] or (Smith, 2020)
\cite{a,b,c}           % [1,2,3] or (A; B; C)

With natbib

\usepackage{natbib}
 
\citet{smith2020}      % Smith (2020)
\citep{smith2020}      % (Smith, 2020)
\citet*{smith2020}     % Full author list
\citep[p.~5]{smith}    % (Smith, 2020, p. 5)

With biblatex

\usepackage{biblatex}
 
\textcite{smith2020}   % Smith (2020)
\parencite{smith2020}  % (Smith, 2020)
\autocite{smith2020}   % Style-dependent

Troubleshooting

Undefined References

LaTeX Warning: Reference `fig:results' on page 2 undefined.

Causes:

Typo in label or reference
Forgot to add label
Need to compile again

Fix: Check spelling, add missing label, compile twice.

Multiply-Defined Labels

LaTeX Warning: Label `fig:results' multiply defined.

Cause: Same label used twice.

Fix: Rename one of the labels.

Wrong Reference Type

% Referencing a figure with \eqref
\eqref{fig:results}  % Wrong: shows (3) instead of Figure 3

Fix: Use \ref or \cref for non-equations.

hyperref Conflicts

hyperref should usually be loaded last:

\usepackage{...}
\usepackage{...}
\usepackage{hyperref}  % Load last
\usepackage{cleveref}  % Exception: cleveref after hyperref

Best Practices

1. Label Everything

Even if you don't reference it now, you might later:

\section{Background}
\label{sec:background}  % Always add labels

2. Use Consistent Prefixes

Establish conventions at project start and follow them.

3. Compile Twice Before Checking

References need two passes. Always compile twice before panicking.

4. Check References Before Submission

Search your document for ?? to find undefined references.

5. Keep Labels Stable

Changing a label requires updating all references to it. Choose descriptive, stable names.

Quick Reference

Essential Commands

% Labeling
\label{prefix:name}
 
% Basic references
\ref{label}            % Just the number
\pageref{label}        % Page number
 
% With amsmath
\eqref{label}          % Equation in parentheses
 
% With cleveref
\cref{label}           % Type and number
\Cref{label}           % Capitalized
\crefrange{a}{b}       % Range
 
% With hyperref
\hyperref[label]{text} % Custom link text
\url{https://...}      % URL
\href{url}{text}       % Linked text

Load Order

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{...}
\usepackage{varioref}   % If using
\usepackage{hyperref}   % Near last
\usepackage{cleveref}   % After hyperref

Conclusion

Cross-referencing transforms document maintenance:

Label everything with consistent prefixes
Use cleveref for smart references
Enable hyperlinks for navigation
Compile twice for accurate references

Once you embrace cross-referencing, manual numbering feels primitive. Your documents become more maintainable, more flexible, and more professional.

Never type "Figure 3" again.

The Nightmare Scenario

You're finalizing your thesis. You add a figure to Chapter 2. Suddenly, every figure reference after it is wrong. "See Figure 3" now points to Figure 4. You manually renumber everything.

Then your advisor says to move Figure 7 earlier in the document.

Here's how to set it up right. (For a tool that handles this automatically as you write, try our LaTeX editor with real-time preview.)

The Basic System

Labels

Attach labels to anything you want to reference:

\section{Introduction}
\label{sec:introduction}
 
\begin{figure}
    \includegraphics{...}
    \caption{Results overview}
    \label{fig:results}
\end{figure}
 
\begin{equation}
    E = mc^2
    \label{eq:einstein}
\end{equation}
 
\begin{table}
    ...
    \caption{Summary statistics}
    \label{tab:summary}
\end{table}

References

Reference labels anywhere in your document:

As shown in Section \ref{sec:introduction}...
Figure \ref{fig:results} demonstrates...
From Equation \ref{eq:einstein}, we derive...
Table \ref{tab:summary} presents...

Compile Twice

Cross-references require two compilations:

First pass: LaTeX records labels
Second pass: LaTeX fills in references

If you see ??, compile again.

Naming Conventions

Prefix System

Use consistent prefixes for different element types:

This makes labels self-documenting and prevents conflicts.

Descriptive Names

Choose meaningful names:

% Good
\label{fig:experimental-setup}
\label{tab:participant-demographics}
\label{eq:bayesian-posterior}
 
% Less helpful
\label{fig:figure1}
\label{tab:table}
\label{eq:eq2}

Descriptive names help when your document grows large.

The cleveref Package

The cleveref package automates reference formatting:

\usepackage{cleveref}
 
% Automatic type detection
\cref{sec:methods}     % section 3
\cref{fig:results}     % figure 2
\cref{eq:einstein}     % equation 1
 
% Capitalized at sentence start
\Cref{sec:methods}     % Section 3
 
% Multiple references
\cref{fig:a,fig:b,fig:c}  % figures 1, 2, and 3
\cref{eq:1,eq:2}           % equations 1 and 2

Configuring cleveref

\usepackage{cleveref}
 
% Customize names
\crefname{equation}{Eq.}{Eqs.}
\crefname{figure}{Fig.}{Figs.}
\crefname{table}{Tab.}{Tabs.}
\crefname{section}{Sec.}{Secs.}
 
% Or full names
\crefname{equation}{Equation}{Equations}

Range References

\crefrange{eq:first}{eq:last}
% Output: equations 1 to 5
 
\crefrange{fig:a}{fig:d}
% Output: figures 3 to 6

Hyperlinks with hyperref

Basic Setup

\usepackage{hyperref}
 
% References become clickable
See Section \ref{sec:methods}  % Clicking jumps to that section

Configuration

\usepackage{hyperref}
\hypersetup{
    colorlinks=true,
    linkcolor=blue,
    citecolor=blue,
    urlcolor=blue,
    pdftitle={Your Paper Title},
    pdfauthor={Your Name}
}

Link Styles

% Colored links (screen-friendly)
\hypersetup{colorlinks=true, linkcolor=blue}
 
% Boxed links (don't print)
\hypersetup{colorlinks=false}
 
% No visible links (professional print)
\hypersetup{hidelinks}

For submissions, journals often prefer hidelinks or black links.

Manual Hyperlinks

% URL links
\url{https://example.com}
\href{https://example.com}{Click here}
 
% Internal links
\hyperref[sec:methods]{see the methods section}

Page References

\pageref

Reference page numbers:

See Figure \ref{fig:results} on page \pageref{fig:results}.

\vref (varioref)

Smart page references:

\usepackage{varioref}
 
\vref{fig:results}
% Outputs contextually:
% "figure 3"                     (same page)
% "figure 3 on the facing page"  (adjacent page)
% "figure 3 on page 42"          (distant page)

Equation References

Standard References

\begin{equation}
    a^2 + b^2 = c^2
    \label{eq:pythagoras}
\end{equation}
 
From Equation \ref{eq:pythagoras}...
% Output: From Equation (1)...

eqref for Parentheses

\usepackage{amsmath}
 
From \eqref{eq:pythagoras}...
% Output: From (1)...

Subequations

\begin{subequations}
\label{eq:maxwell}
\begin{align}
    \nabla \cdot \mathbf{E} &= \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_0} \label{eq:gauss} \\
    \nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} &= 0 \label{eq:divb}
\end{align}
\end{subequations}
 
Maxwell's equations \eqref{eq:maxwell} include Gauss's law \eqref{eq:gauss}...
% Output: Maxwell's equations (1) include Gauss's law (1a)...

Figure and Table References

Label Placement

Labels must come after \caption:

% Correct
\begin{figure}
    \includegraphics{...}
    \caption{Description}
    \label{fig:correct}  % After caption
\end{figure}
 
% Incorrect (label references the section, not the figure)
\begin{figure}
    \label{fig:wrong}    % Before caption - WRONG
    \includegraphics{...}
    \caption{Description}
\end{figure}

Subfigures

\usepackage{subcaption}
 
\begin{figure}
    \begin{subfigure}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
        \includegraphics{a}
        \caption{First part}
        \label{fig:sub-a}
    \end{subfigure}
    \hfill
    \begin{subfigure}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
        \includegraphics{b}
        \caption{Second part}
        \label{fig:sub-b}
    \end{subfigure}
    \caption{Overall caption}
    \label{fig:overall}
\end{figure}
 
\cref{fig:overall} shows... \cref{fig:sub-a} specifically...
% Output: Figure 1 shows... Figure 1a specifically...

Bibliography References

Basic Citations

\cite{smith2020}        % [1] or (Smith, 2020)
\cite{a,b,c}           % [1,2,3] or (A; B; C)

With natbib

\usepackage{natbib}
 
\citet{smith2020}      % Smith (2020)
\citep{smith2020}      % (Smith, 2020)
\citet*{smith2020}     % Full author list
\citep[p.~5]{smith}    % (Smith, 2020, p. 5)

With biblatex

\usepackage{biblatex}
 
\textcite{smith2020}   % Smith (2020)
\parencite{smith2020}  % (Smith, 2020)
\autocite{smith2020}   % Style-dependent

Troubleshooting

Undefined References

LaTeX Warning: Reference `fig:results' on page 2 undefined.

Causes:

Typo in label or reference
Forgot to add label
Need to compile again

Fix: Check spelling, add missing label, compile twice.

Multiply-Defined Labels

LaTeX Warning: Label `fig:results' multiply defined.

Cause: Same label used twice.

Fix: Rename one of the labels.

Wrong Reference Type

% Referencing a figure with \eqref
\eqref{fig:results}  % Wrong: shows (3) instead of Figure 3

Fix: Use \ref or \cref for non-equations.

hyperref Conflicts

hyperref should usually be loaded last:

\usepackage{...}
\usepackage{...}
\usepackage{hyperref}  % Load last
\usepackage{cleveref}  % Exception: cleveref after hyperref

Best Practices

1. Label Everything

Even if you don't reference it now, you might later:

\section{Background}
\label{sec:background}  % Always add labels

2. Use Consistent Prefixes

Establish conventions at project start and follow them.

3. Compile Twice Before Checking

References need two passes. Always compile twice before panicking.

4. Check References Before Submission

Search your document for ?? to find undefined references.

5. Keep Labels Stable

Changing a label requires updating all references to it. Choose descriptive, stable names.

Quick Reference

Essential Commands

% Labeling
\label{prefix:name}
 
% Basic references
\ref{label}            % Just the number
\pageref{label}        % Page number
 
% With amsmath
\eqref{label}          % Equation in parentheses
 
% With cleveref
\cref{label}           % Type and number
\Cref{label}           % Capitalized
\crefrange{a}{b}       % Range
 
% With hyperref
\hyperref[label]{text} % Custom link text
\url{https://...}      % URL
\href{url}{text}       % Linked text

Load Order

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{...}
\usepackage{varioref}   % If using
\usepackage{hyperref}   % Near last
\usepackage{cleveref}   % After hyperref

Conclusion

Cross-referencing transforms document maintenance:

Label everything with consistent prefixes
Use cleveref for smart references
Enable hyperlinks for navigation
Compile twice for accurate references

Once you embrace cross-referencing, manual numbering feels primitive. Your documents become more maintainable, more flexible, and more professional.

Never type "Figure 3" again.

The Nightmare Scenario

The Basic System

Labels

References

Compile Twice

Naming Conventions

Prefix System

Descriptive Names

The cleveref Package

Configuring cleveref

Range References

Hyperlinks with hyperref

Basic Setup

Configuration

Link Styles

Manual Hyperlinks

Page References

\pageref

\vref (varioref)

Equation References

Standard References

eqref for Parentheses

Subequations

Figure and Table References

Label Placement

Subfigures

Bibliography References

Basic Citations

With natbib

With biblatex

Troubleshooting

Undefined References

Multiply-Defined Labels

Wrong Reference Type

hyperref Conflicts

Best Practices

1. Label Everything

2. Use Consistent Prefixes

3. Compile Twice Before Checking

4. Check References Before Submission

5. Keep Labels Stable

Quick Reference

Essential Commands

Load Order

Conclusion

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The Nightmare Scenario

The Basic System

Labels

References

Compile Twice

Naming Conventions

Prefix System

Descriptive Names

The cleveref Package

Configuring cleveref

Range References

Hyperlinks with hyperref

Basic Setup

Configuration

Link Styles

Manual Hyperlinks

Page References

\pageref

\vref (varioref)

Equation References

Standard References

eqref for Parentheses

Subequations

Figure and Table References

Label Placement

Subfigures

Bibliography References

Basic Citations

With natbib

With biblatex

Troubleshooting