Why do I see question marks instead of citations?

Question marks appear when LaTeX can't resolve a citation. Run BibTeX/Biber after your first pdflatex pass, then run pdflatex twice more. Also verify the citation key exactly matches an entry in your .bib file.

How do I force a figure to appear exactly where I place it?

Use the float package with the [H] placement specifier. Add the usepackage float command to your preamble, then use the figure environment with [H]. Note that H (capital) forces exact placement, while h (lowercase) is only a suggestion.

Why is my table extending past the page margins?

Tables don't automatically wrap. Use tabularx for flexible-width columns, resizebox to scale the entire table, or reduce font size with the small command. For very wide tables, consider landscape orientation with the pdflscape package.

Top LaTeX Questions This Month: Expert Answers & Solutions

This Month's Top Questions

Every month, we compile the most frequently asked LaTeX questions from Reddit's r/LaTeX, TeX StackExchange, and our community. These aren't just quick answers—we provide complete solutions with explanations, code examples, and troubleshooting tips.

December 2025 saw recurring questions about bibliographies, figure placement, and formatting challenges. Let's dive into expert-level answers.

Q1: How do I make my bibliography appear correctly?

Source: r/LaTeX, asked multiple times this month

The Problem

Einstein discovered \cite{einstein1905} but I see [?] instead.

You compile your document and instead of proper citations, you see question marks [?] in your output.

The Complete Solution

LaTeX requires multiple compilation passes to resolve citations. The standard workflow:

# Step 1: First LaTeX pass - identifies citations
pdflatex main.tex
 
# Step 2: Process bibliography
biber main        # If using biblatex
# or
bibtex main       # If using natbib/traditional BibTeX
 
# Step 3-4: Resolve cross-references
pdflatex main.tex
pdflatex main.tex

Why so many passes?

First pass: LaTeX writes citation keys to .aux file
BibTeX/Biber: Reads .aux, creates .bbl with formatted references
Second pass: Includes bibliography, writes reference numbers to .aux
Third pass: Resolves all cross-references

Using latexmk (Recommended)

Instead of running commands manually, use latexmk which handles the sequence automatically:

# For pdflatex + bibtex
latexmk -pdf main.tex
 
# For pdflatex + biber
latexmk -pdf -bibtex main.tex

Common Causes of Citation Problems

Question marks for all citations: BibTeX/Biber wasn't run. Run the full compilation sequence.

Question marks for some citations: Key mismatch between your \cite command and .bib file. Check spelling carefully.

Bibliography doesn't appear: Missing the \printbibliography or \bibliography command. Add the appropriate one for your package.

"I found no citation commands": No \cite commands in your document. Add citations or ignore the warning.

Biber errors: Backend mismatch. Make sure backend=biber in your package options matches running biber (not bibtex) in terminal.

Sample Working Setup

With biblatex (modern, recommended):

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[backend=biber, style=authoryear]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{references.bib}
 
\begin{document}
Einstein \parencite{einstein1905} revolutionized physics.
\printbibliography
\end{document}

With natbib (traditional):

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[authoryear]{natbib}
 
\begin{document}
Einstein \citep{einstein1905} revolutionized physics.
\bibliographystyle{plainnat}
\bibliography{references}
\end{document}

Q2: Why is my figure on the wrong page?

Source: TeX StackExchange, recurring question

The Problem

\begin{figure}
  \includegraphics{my-figure.png}
  \caption{My important figure}
\end{figure}
% Figure appears 3 pages later!

Understanding LaTeX Float Behavior

LaTeX treats figures and tables as "floats" that can move to optimize page layout. This is actually a feature—it prevents awkward whitespace when figures don't fit on the current page.

However, when you need precise control, here are your options:

Solution 1: Force Exact Placement with `[H]`

\usepackage{float}
 
\begin{figure}[H]  % H = HERE, exactly where specified
  \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{my-figure.png}
  \caption{This figure stays put}
\end{figure}

Important: Use capital H, not lowercase h. The lowercase h is only a suggestion.

Solution 2: Placement Specifiers

Standard float placement options:

| Specifier | Meaning | |-----------|---------| | h | Here (if there's room) | | t | Top of page | | b | Bottom of page | | p | Dedicated float page | | ! | Override restrictions |

Combine them for flexibility:

\begin{figure}[htbp]  % Try: here, then top, then bottom, then float page
  \includegraphics{figure.png}
  \caption{Flexible placement}
\end{figure}

Solution 3: Adjust Float Parameters

LaTeX has strict default limits. Relax them in your preamble:

\renewcommand{\topfraction}{0.9}      % Allow figures to take 90% of page top
\renewcommand{\bottomfraction}{0.9}   % Allow figures to take 90% of page bottom
\renewcommand{\textfraction}{0.1}     % Require only 10% text on page
\renewcommand{\floatpagefraction}{0.7}% Require float pages 70% full

Solution 4: Use `\FloatBarrier`

The placeins package adds barriers that floats cannot cross:

\usepackage[section]{placeins}  % Floats can't cross section boundaries
 
% Or manually:
\FloatBarrier  % Force all pending floats to appear here

Best Practices for Figure Placement

Write first, place later: Don't worry about exact placement until final draft
Use references: Write "see Figure~\ref..." not "see the figure below"
Size appropriately: Oversized figures cause more placement issues
Group related floats: Multiple small figures can go in one float

Q3: How do I change equation/figure/table numbering format?

Source: r/LaTeX

The Problem

Equations show as (1) but you want (1.1) (chapter.equation).

Solution: Number Within Sections or Chapters

% Number equations by chapter
\numberwithin{equation}{chapter}  % Requires amsmath
 
% Number figures by section
\numberwithin{figure}{section}
 
% Number tables by chapter
\numberwithin{table}{chapter}

Custom Number Formats

For completely custom formats:

% Equations as Section.Number
\renewcommand{\theequation}{\thesection.\arabic{equation}}
 
% Figures as Chapter-Number
\renewcommand{\thefigure}{\thechapter-\arabic{figure}}
 
% Reset counter at each chapter
\makeatletter
\@addtoreset{equation}{chapter}
\makeatother

Remove Numbering Entirely

% Unnumbered equation
\begin{equation*}
E = mc^2
\end{equation*}
 
% Or with align
\begin{align*}
a &= b \\
c &= d
\end{align*}

Q4: My table is too wide for the page. Help!

Source: TeX StackExchange

The Problem

Your table extends past the margins, running into or off the page.

Solution 1: Use tabularx for Automatic Width

\usepackage{tabularx}
 
\begin{table}[htbp]
  \begin{tabularx}{\textwidth}{|l|X|X|}  % X columns stretch equally
    \hline
    ID & Description & Notes \\
    \hline
    1 & This is a long description that wraps & Additional notes here \\
    2 & Another long description & More notes \\
    \hline
  \end{tabularx}
  \caption{Flexible width table}
\end{table}

Solution 2: Scale the Entire Table

\usepackage{graphicx}
 
\begin{table}[htbp]
  \resizebox{\textwidth}{!}{%
    \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
      \hline
      Column 1 & Column 2 & Column 3 & Column 4 & Column 5 & Column 6 \\
      \hline
      Data & Data & Data & Data & Data & Data \\
      \hline
    \end{tabular}
  }
  \caption{Scaled table}
\end{table}

Warning: Scaling also shrinks text, which can make tables hard to read.

Solution 3: Reduce Font Size

\begin{table}[htbp]
  \small  % or \footnotesize, \scriptsize
  \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
    ...
  \end{tabular}
  \caption{Smaller text table}
\end{table}

Solution 4: Landscape Orientation

For very wide tables:

\usepackage{pdflscape}
 
\begin{landscape}
\begin{table}
  \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
    % Wide table content
  \end{tabular}
  \caption{Landscape table}
\end{table}
\end{landscape}

Solution 5: Break Across Pages

\usepackage{longtable}
 
\begin{longtable}{|l|l|l|}
  \hline
  \textbf{Header 1} & \textbf{Header 2} & \textbf{Header 3} \\
  \hline
  \endfirsthead  % End of first page header
 
  \hline
  \textbf{Header 1} & \textbf{Header 2} & \textbf{Header 3} \\
  \hline
  \endhead  % End of continuation headers
 
  Data row 1 & Content & More content \\
  Data row 2 & Content & More content \\
  % Many more rows...
  \hline
\end{longtable}

Q5: How do I add code with syntax highlighting?

Source: r/LaTeX, multiple posts

Option 1: listings Package (Simple)

\usepackage{listings}
\usepackage{xcolor}
 
\lstset{
  basicstyle=\ttfamily\small,
  keywordstyle=\color{blue},
  commentstyle=\color{gray},
  stringstyle=\color{red},
  numbers=left,
  numberstyle=\tiny,
  breaklines=true,
  frame=single
}
 
\begin{lstlisting}[language=Python]
def hello_world():
    """A simple greeting function."""
    print("Hello, World!")
 
if __name__ == "__main__":
    hello_world()
\end{lstlisting}

Option 2: minted Package (Pretty)

\usepackage{minted}
 
\begin{minted}[
  linenos,
  frame=lines,
  framesep=2mm,
  bgcolor=lightgray!20
]{python}
def fibonacci(n):
    """Calculate the nth Fibonacci number."""
    if n <= 1:
        return n
    return fibonacci(n-1) + fibonacci(n-2)
\end{minted}

Requirements for minted:

Python installed with Pygments: pip install pygments
Compile with -shell-escape flag: pdflatex -shell-escape main.tex

Option 3: Inline Code

% Simple monospace
Use the \texttt{print()} function.
 
% With listings
Use the \lstinline|print()| function.
 
% With minted
Use the \mintinline{python}{print()} function.

Q6: Why does $ $ give an error in my text?

Source: Beginners, frequently asked

The Problem

The price is $50.  % Error: Missing $ inserted

The Solution

In LaTeX, $ starts and ends math mode. To print a literal dollar sign, escape it:

The price is \$50.  % Correct: displays $50

All Special Characters and Their Escapes

Here are the special characters in LaTeX and how to escape them:

Dollar sign $ — Escape with \$ (math mode delimiter)
Percent % — Escape with \% (comment character)
Ampersand & — Escape with \& (table column separator)
Hash # — Escape with \# (macro parameter)
Underscore _ — Escape with \_ (subscript in math)
Caret ^ — Escape with \^ (superscript in math)
Braces — Escape with \{ and \} (grouping characters)
Tilde ~ — Use \textasciitilde (non-breaking space)
Backslash — Use \textbackslash (command prefix)

Handling Many Special Characters

For text with lots of special characters, use \verb or the verbatim environment:

% Inline
The regex \verb|^[a-z]+$| matches lowercase words.
 
% Block
\begin{verbatim}
$price = 50;
echo "Cost: $" . $price;
\end{verbatim}

Q7: How do I make a clickable table of contents?

Source: TeX StackExchange

The Solution

\usepackage{hyperref}
 
\hypersetup{
    colorlinks=true,
    linkcolor=blue,
    filecolor=magenta,
    urlcolor=cyan,
    pdftitle={My Document},
    pdfauthor={Author Name},
}
 
\begin{document}
\tableofcontents  % Now clickable!
 
\section{Introduction}
Content here...
 
\section{Methods}
More content...
\end{document}

Customization Options

\hypersetup{
    colorlinks=true,      % Color instead of boxes
    linkcolor=black,      % Internal links
    citecolor=blue,       % Citation links
    filecolor=magenta,    % File links
    urlcolor=cyan,        % URL links
    bookmarks=true,       % Create PDF bookmarks
    bookmarksnumbered=true,
    pdfstartview=FitH,    % PDF opens fitting width
}

For Print Documents (No Colored Links)

\hypersetup{
    hidelinks  % Links exist but aren't visible
}

Q8: Why do my PDFs have weird fonts?

Source: r/LaTeX

The Problem

Your PDF looks different on different computers, or fonts appear blocky/pixelated.

Solution: Embed Fonts Properly

% Use T1 font encoding
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
 
% Use a modern font that embeds well
\usepackage{lmodern}  % Latin Modern (improved Computer Modern)

Alternative Font Packages

% Times-like
\usepackage{newtxtext}
\usepackage{newtxmath}
 
% Palatino-like
\usepackage{newpxtext}
\usepackage{newpxmath}
 
% Libertine (elegant open-source)
\usepackage{libertine}
\usepackage[libertine]{newtxmath}
 
% Source Sans Pro (modern sans-serif)
\usepackage[default]{sourcesanspro}

Checking Font Embedding

Use this command to verify fonts are embedded:

pdffonts your-document.pdf

Look for "emb" column—all fonts should show "yes".

Q9: How do I add line numbers to my document?

Source: r/LaTeX (for journal submission)

The Solution

\usepackage{lineno}
\linenumbers  % Enable line numbers
 
\begin{document}
Your text with line numbers in the margin...
\end{document}

Customization Options

% Number every 5th line
\modulolinenumbers[5]
 
% Number on right side
\rightlinenumbers
 
% Number only certain sections
\begin{linenumbers}
This section has line numbers.
\end{linenumbers}
 
This section doesn't.

For Double-Spaced Drafts

\usepackage{setspace}
\usepackage{lineno}
 
\doublespacing
\linenumbers
 
\begin{document}
Double-spaced text with line numbers, ready for review.
\end{document}

Q10: My document compiles forever. What's wrong?

Source: All platforms

Common Causes and Fixes

1. Infinite Loop from Recursive \input

% file1.tex
\input{file2}
 
% file2.tex
\input{file1}  % Infinite loop!

Fix: Check your \input and \include structure.

2. Huge Images

Large images (especially vector PDFs) slow compilation dramatically.

% Compile faster with draft mode
\documentclass[draft]{article}
 
% Or resize images before importing
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{huge-image}  % Still slow

Fix: Resize images externally or use draft mode during writing.

3. Complex TikZ Diagrams

\usetikzlibrary{external}
\tikzexternalize[prefix=tikz/]  % Cache TikZ as separate PDFs

4. Package Conflicts

Use binary search to identify:

% Comment out half your packages
% If it compiles, problem is in the commented half
% Otherwise, problem is in the remaining half
% Repeat until you find the culprit

5. Quick Diagnosis

# Add timeout to see where it hangs
timeout 30 pdflatex document.tex
 
# Check log file for last processed content
tail -50 document.log

Bonus: Expert Tips from the Community

One Sentence Per Line (u/LaTeX_enjoyer):

"Put each sentence on its own line. Version control diffs become readable, and you can easily reorder sentences."

Continuous Compilation (@texpert):

"Use latexmk -pvc for live compilation while writing. Saves the compile-check-compile cycle."

Smart References (StackExchange):

"The cleveref package is amazing. \cref{fig:x} automatically writes 'Figure 1' or 'Figures 1 and 2'. Never manually type 'Figure' again."

The Draft Flag (TeXpert):

"During writing, compile with \documentclass[draft]{article}. Images become empty boxes and compilation is instant."

Have a Question?

We'll feature the best questions in next month's roundup.

Reddit: r/LaTeX
StackExchange: tex.stackexchange.com
Discord: Join the LaTeX community servers

Get instant answers while you write with Thetapad—client-side compilation means real-time preview without waiting.

This Month's Top Questions

December 2025 saw recurring questions about bibliographies, figure placement, and formatting challenges. Let's dive into expert-level answers.

Q1: How do I make my bibliography appear correctly?

Source: r/LaTeX, asked multiple times this month

The Problem

Einstein discovered \cite{einstein1905} but I see [?] instead.

You compile your document and instead of proper citations, you see question marks [?] in your output.

The Complete Solution

LaTeX requires multiple compilation passes to resolve citations. The standard workflow:

# Step 1: First LaTeX pass - identifies citations
pdflatex main.tex
 
# Step 2: Process bibliography
biber main        # If using biblatex
# or
bibtex main       # If using natbib/traditional BibTeX
 
# Step 3-4: Resolve cross-references
pdflatex main.tex
pdflatex main.tex

Why so many passes?

First pass: LaTeX writes citation keys to .aux file
BibTeX/Biber: Reads .aux, creates .bbl with formatted references
Second pass: Includes bibliography, writes reference numbers to .aux
Third pass: Resolves all cross-references

Using latexmk (Recommended)

Instead of running commands manually, use latexmk which handles the sequence automatically:

# For pdflatex + bibtex
latexmk -pdf main.tex
 
# For pdflatex + biber
latexmk -pdf -bibtex main.tex

Common Causes of Citation Problems

Question marks for all citations: BibTeX/Biber wasn't run. Run the full compilation sequence.

Question marks for some citations: Key mismatch between your \cite command and .bib file. Check spelling carefully.

Bibliography doesn't appear: Missing the \printbibliography or \bibliography command. Add the appropriate one for your package.

"I found no citation commands": No \cite commands in your document. Add citations or ignore the warning.

Biber errors: Backend mismatch. Make sure backend=biber in your package options matches running biber (not bibtex) in terminal.

Sample Working Setup

With biblatex (modern, recommended):

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[backend=biber, style=authoryear]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{references.bib}
 
\begin{document}
Einstein \parencite{einstein1905} revolutionized physics.
\printbibliography
\end{document}

With natbib (traditional):

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[authoryear]{natbib}
 
\begin{document}
Einstein \citep{einstein1905} revolutionized physics.
\bibliographystyle{plainnat}
\bibliography{references}
\end{document}

Q2: Why is my figure on the wrong page?

Source: TeX StackExchange, recurring question

The Problem

\begin{figure}
  \includegraphics{my-figure.png}
  \caption{My important figure}
\end{figure}
% Figure appears 3 pages later!

Understanding LaTeX Float Behavior

LaTeX treats figures and tables as "floats" that can move to optimize page layout. This is actually a feature—it prevents awkward whitespace when figures don't fit on the current page.

However, when you need precise control, here are your options:

Solution 1: Force Exact Placement with `[H]`

\usepackage{float}
 
\begin{figure}[H]  % H = HERE, exactly where specified
  \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{my-figure.png}
  \caption{This figure stays put}
\end{figure}

Important: Use capital H, not lowercase h. The lowercase h is only a suggestion.

Solution 2: Placement Specifiers

Standard float placement options:

| Specifier | Meaning | |-----------|---------| | h | Here (if there's room) | | t | Top of page | | b | Bottom of page | | p | Dedicated float page | | ! | Override restrictions |

Combine them for flexibility:

\begin{figure}[htbp]  % Try: here, then top, then bottom, then float page
  \includegraphics{figure.png}
  \caption{Flexible placement}
\end{figure}

Solution 3: Adjust Float Parameters

LaTeX has strict default limits. Relax them in your preamble:

\renewcommand{\topfraction}{0.9}      % Allow figures to take 90% of page top
\renewcommand{\bottomfraction}{0.9}   % Allow figures to take 90% of page bottom
\renewcommand{\textfraction}{0.1}     % Require only 10% text on page
\renewcommand{\floatpagefraction}{0.7}% Require float pages 70% full

Solution 4: Use `\FloatBarrier`

The placeins package adds barriers that floats cannot cross:

\usepackage[section]{placeins}  % Floats can't cross section boundaries
 
% Or manually:
\FloatBarrier  % Force all pending floats to appear here

Best Practices for Figure Placement

Write first, place later: Don't worry about exact placement until final draft
Use references: Write "see Figure~\ref..." not "see the figure below"
Size appropriately: Oversized figures cause more placement issues
Group related floats: Multiple small figures can go in one float

Q3: How do I change equation/figure/table numbering format?

Source: r/LaTeX

The Problem

Equations show as (1) but you want (1.1) (chapter.equation).

Solution: Number Within Sections or Chapters

% Number equations by chapter
\numberwithin{equation}{chapter}  % Requires amsmath
 
% Number figures by section
\numberwithin{figure}{section}
 
% Number tables by chapter
\numberwithin{table}{chapter}

Custom Number Formats

For completely custom formats:

% Equations as Section.Number
\renewcommand{\theequation}{\thesection.\arabic{equation}}
 
% Figures as Chapter-Number
\renewcommand{\thefigure}{\thechapter-\arabic{figure}}
 
% Reset counter at each chapter
\makeatletter
\@addtoreset{equation}{chapter}
\makeatother

Remove Numbering Entirely

% Unnumbered equation
\begin{equation*}
E = mc^2
\end{equation*}
 
% Or with align
\begin{align*}
a &= b \\
c &= d
\end{align*}

Q4: My table is too wide for the page. Help!

Source: TeX StackExchange

The Problem

Your table extends past the margins, running into or off the page.

Solution 1: Use tabularx for Automatic Width

\usepackage{tabularx}
 
\begin{table}[htbp]
  \begin{tabularx}{\textwidth}{|l|X|X|}  % X columns stretch equally
    \hline
    ID & Description & Notes \\
    \hline
    1 & This is a long description that wraps & Additional notes here \\
    2 & Another long description & More notes \\
    \hline
  \end{tabularx}
  \caption{Flexible width table}
\end{table}

Solution 2: Scale the Entire Table

\usepackage{graphicx}
 
\begin{table}[htbp]
  \resizebox{\textwidth}{!}{%
    \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
      \hline
      Column 1 & Column 2 & Column 3 & Column 4 & Column 5 & Column 6 \\
      \hline
      Data & Data & Data & Data & Data & Data \\
      \hline
    \end{tabular}
  }
  \caption{Scaled table}
\end{table}

Warning: Scaling also shrinks text, which can make tables hard to read.

Solution 3: Reduce Font Size

\begin{table}[htbp]
  \small  % or \footnotesize, \scriptsize
  \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
    ...
  \end{tabular}
  \caption{Smaller text table}
\end{table}

Solution 4: Landscape Orientation

For very wide tables:

\usepackage{pdflscape}
 
\begin{landscape}
\begin{table}
  \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
    % Wide table content
  \end{tabular}
  \caption{Landscape table}
\end{table}
\end{landscape}

Solution 5: Break Across Pages

\usepackage{longtable}
 
\begin{longtable}{|l|l|l|}
  \hline
  \textbf{Header 1} & \textbf{Header 2} & \textbf{Header 3} \\
  \hline
  \endfirsthead  % End of first page header
 
  \hline
  \textbf{Header 1} & \textbf{Header 2} & \textbf{Header 3} \\
  \hline
  \endhead  % End of continuation headers
 
  Data row 1 & Content & More content \\
  Data row 2 & Content & More content \\
  % Many more rows...
  \hline
\end{longtable}

Q5: How do I add code with syntax highlighting?

Source: r/LaTeX, multiple posts

Option 1: listings Package (Simple)

\usepackage{listings}
\usepackage{xcolor}
 
\lstset{
  basicstyle=\ttfamily\small,
  keywordstyle=\color{blue},
  commentstyle=\color{gray},
  stringstyle=\color{red},
  numbers=left,
  numberstyle=\tiny,
  breaklines=true,
  frame=single
}
 
\begin{lstlisting}[language=Python]
def hello_world():
    """A simple greeting function."""
    print("Hello, World!")
 
if __name__ == "__main__":
    hello_world()
\end{lstlisting}

Option 2: minted Package (Pretty)

\usepackage{minted}
 
\begin{minted}[
  linenos,
  frame=lines,
  framesep=2mm,
  bgcolor=lightgray!20
]{python}
def fibonacci(n):
    """Calculate the nth Fibonacci number."""
    if n <= 1:
        return n
    return fibonacci(n-1) + fibonacci(n-2)
\end{minted}

Requirements for minted:

Python installed with Pygments: pip install pygments
Compile with -shell-escape flag: pdflatex -shell-escape main.tex

Option 3: Inline Code

% Simple monospace
Use the \texttt{print()} function.
 
% With listings
Use the \lstinline|print()| function.
 
% With minted
Use the \mintinline{python}{print()} function.

Q6: Why does $ $ give an error in my text?

Source: Beginners, frequently asked

The Problem

The price is $50.  % Error: Missing $ inserted

The Solution

In LaTeX, $ starts and ends math mode. To print a literal dollar sign, escape it:

The price is \$50.  % Correct: displays $50

All Special Characters and Their Escapes

Here are the special characters in LaTeX and how to escape them:

Dollar sign $ — Escape with \$ (math mode delimiter)
Percent % — Escape with \% (comment character)
Ampersand & — Escape with \& (table column separator)
Hash # — Escape with \# (macro parameter)
Underscore _ — Escape with \_ (subscript in math)
Caret ^ — Escape with \^ (superscript in math)
Braces — Escape with \{ and \} (grouping characters)
Tilde ~ — Use \textasciitilde (non-breaking space)
Backslash — Use \textbackslash (command prefix)

Handling Many Special Characters

For text with lots of special characters, use \verb or the verbatim environment:

% Inline
The regex \verb|^[a-z]+$| matches lowercase words.
 
% Block
\begin{verbatim}
$price = 50;
echo "Cost: $" . $price;
\end{verbatim}

Q7: How do I make a clickable table of contents?

Source: TeX StackExchange

The Solution

\usepackage{hyperref}
 
\hypersetup{
    colorlinks=true,
    linkcolor=blue,
    filecolor=magenta,
    urlcolor=cyan,
    pdftitle={My Document},
    pdfauthor={Author Name},
}
 
\begin{document}
\tableofcontents  % Now clickable!
 
\section{Introduction}
Content here...
 
\section{Methods}
More content...
\end{document}

Customization Options

\hypersetup{
    colorlinks=true,      % Color instead of boxes
    linkcolor=black,      % Internal links
    citecolor=blue,       % Citation links
    filecolor=magenta,    % File links
    urlcolor=cyan,        % URL links
    bookmarks=true,       % Create PDF bookmarks
    bookmarksnumbered=true,
    pdfstartview=FitH,    % PDF opens fitting width
}

For Print Documents (No Colored Links)

\hypersetup{
    hidelinks  % Links exist but aren't visible
}

Q8: Why do my PDFs have weird fonts?

Source: r/LaTeX

The Problem

Your PDF looks different on different computers, or fonts appear blocky/pixelated.

Solution: Embed Fonts Properly

% Use T1 font encoding
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
 
% Use a modern font that embeds well
\usepackage{lmodern}  % Latin Modern (improved Computer Modern)

Alternative Font Packages

% Times-like
\usepackage{newtxtext}
\usepackage{newtxmath}
 
% Palatino-like
\usepackage{newpxtext}
\usepackage{newpxmath}
 
% Libertine (elegant open-source)
\usepackage{libertine}
\usepackage[libertine]{newtxmath}
 
% Source Sans Pro (modern sans-serif)
\usepackage[default]{sourcesanspro}

Checking Font Embedding

Use this command to verify fonts are embedded:

pdffonts your-document.pdf

Look for "emb" column—all fonts should show "yes".

Q9: How do I add line numbers to my document?

Source: r/LaTeX (for journal submission)

The Solution

\usepackage{lineno}
\linenumbers  % Enable line numbers
 
\begin{document}
Your text with line numbers in the margin...
\end{document}

Customization Options

% Number every 5th line
\modulolinenumbers[5]
 
% Number on right side
\rightlinenumbers
 
% Number only certain sections
\begin{linenumbers}
This section has line numbers.
\end{linenumbers}
 
This section doesn't.

For Double-Spaced Drafts

\usepackage{setspace}
\usepackage{lineno}
 
\doublespacing
\linenumbers
 
\begin{document}
Double-spaced text with line numbers, ready for review.
\end{document}

Q10: My document compiles forever. What's wrong?

Source: All platforms

Common Causes and Fixes

1. Infinite Loop from Recursive \input

% file1.tex
\input{file2}
 
% file2.tex
\input{file1}  % Infinite loop!

Fix: Check your \input and \include structure.

2. Huge Images

Large images (especially vector PDFs) slow compilation dramatically.

% Compile faster with draft mode
\documentclass[draft]{article}
 
% Or resize images before importing
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{huge-image}  % Still slow

Fix: Resize images externally or use draft mode during writing.

3. Complex TikZ Diagrams

\usetikzlibrary{external}
\tikzexternalize[prefix=tikz/]  % Cache TikZ as separate PDFs

4. Package Conflicts

Use binary search to identify:

% Comment out half your packages
% If it compiles, problem is in the commented half
% Otherwise, problem is in the remaining half
% Repeat until you find the culprit

5. Quick Diagnosis

# Add timeout to see where it hangs
timeout 30 pdflatex document.tex
 
# Check log file for last processed content
tail -50 document.log

Bonus: Expert Tips from the Community

One Sentence Per Line (u/LaTeX_enjoyer):

"Put each sentence on its own line. Version control diffs become readable, and you can easily reorder sentences."

Continuous Compilation (@texpert):

"Use latexmk -pvc for live compilation while writing. Saves the compile-check-compile cycle."

Smart References (StackExchange):

"The cleveref package is amazing. \cref{fig:x} automatically writes 'Figure 1' or 'Figures 1 and 2'. Never manually type 'Figure' again."

The Draft Flag (TeXpert):

"During writing, compile with \documentclass[draft]{article}. Images become empty boxes and compilation is instant."

Have a Question?

We'll feature the best questions in next month's roundup.

Reddit: r/LaTeX
StackExchange: tex.stackexchange.com
Discord: Join the LaTeX community servers

Get instant answers while you write with Thetapad—client-side compilation means real-time preview without waiting.

This Month's Top Questions

Q1: How do I make my bibliography appear correctly?

The Problem

The Complete Solution

Using latexmk (Recommended)

Common Causes of Citation Problems

Sample Working Setup

Q2: Why is my figure on the wrong page?

The Problem

Understanding LaTeX Float Behavior

Solution 1: Force Exact Placement with [H]

Solution 2: Placement Specifiers

Solution 3: Adjust Float Parameters

Solution 4: Use \FloatBarrier

Best Practices for Figure Placement

Q3: How do I change equation/figure/table numbering format?

The Problem

Solution: Number Within Sections or Chapters

Custom Number Formats

Remove Numbering Entirely

Q4: My table is too wide for the page. Help!

The Problem

Solution 1: Use tabularx for Automatic Width

Solution 2: Scale the Entire Table

Solution 3: Reduce Font Size

Solution 4: Landscape Orientation

Solution 5: Break Across Pages

Q5: How do I add code with syntax highlighting?

Option 1: listings Package (Simple)

Option 2: minted Package (Pretty)

Option 3: Inline Code

Q6: Why does $ $ give an error in my text?

The Problem

The Solution

All Special Characters and Their Escapes

Handling Many Special Characters

Q7: How do I make a clickable table of contents?

The Solution

Customization Options

For Print Documents (No Colored Links)

Q8: Why do my PDFs have weird fonts?

The Problem

Solution: Embed Fonts Properly

Alternative Font Packages

Checking Font Embedding

Q9: How do I add line numbers to my document?

The Solution

Customization Options

For Double-Spaced Drafts

Q10: My document compiles forever. What's wrong?

Common Causes and Fixes

Bonus: Expert Tips from the Community

Have a Question?

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles

Why Is My LaTeX So Slow? 10 Ways to Speed Up Compilation

15 LaTeX Errors That Drive Researchers Crazy (And How to Fix Them in 30 Seconds)

Fixing Common LaTeX Errors: Quick Solutions

This Month's Top Questions

Q1: How do I make my bibliography appear correctly?

The Problem

The Complete Solution

Using latexmk (Recommended)

Common Causes of Citation Problems

Sample Working Setup

Q2: Why is my figure on the wrong page?

The Problem

Understanding LaTeX Float Behavior

Solution 1: Force Exact Placement with [H]

Solution 2: Placement Specifiers

Solution 3: Adjust Float Parameters

Solution 4: Use \FloatBarrier

Best Practices for Figure Placement

Q3: How do I change equation/figure/table numbering format?

The Problem

Solution: Number Within Sections or Chapters

Custom Number Formats

Remove Numbering Entirely

Q4: My table is too wide for the page. Help!

The Problem

Solution 1: Force Exact Placement with `[H]`

Solution 4: Use `\FloatBarrier`

Solution 1: Force Exact Placement with `[H]`

Solution 4: Use `\FloatBarrier`