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    Overleaf & LaTeX Guide

    Goal: create a reviewable LaTeX document in the approved project workspace and compile a reproducible PDF.

    View exact sourceReturn to my dashboard

    Goal: create a reviewable LaTeX document in the approved project workspace and compile a reproducible PDF.

    Prerequisites: ETH/Overleaf access and the supervisor-approved project or template. Do not upload a confidential manuscript to an unapproved service.

    Execution context: browser-based Overleaf project; LaTeX snippets belong in the project source, not a terminal.

    Table of Contents#

    1. What is LaTeX?
    2. Why use Overleaf?
    3. Sign Up / Log In
    4. Start from the Lab Template
    5. Organise Your Document
    6. Collaboration
    7. Compile & Download
    8. Extra Productivity Tips

    1 · What is LaTeX?#

    • LaTeX (pronounced “Lah-tech”) is a typesetting language ideal for academic writing.
    • Automates references, equations, figure numbering, cross-links, and styling.
    • Plain-text source files = perfect for version control.

    2 · Why use Overleaf?#

    Feature Benefit
    Browser-based No local install; works on any device.
    Real-time compile PDF updates as you type; error logs shown inline.
    Collaboration Multiple users edit simultaneously with live cursors.
    Version history Rewind to any past state with one click.
    ETHZ single-sign-on Share projects easily inside the university.

    3 · Sign Up / Log In#

    1. Visit https://www.overleaf.com
    2. Sign up with your ETHZ e-mail username@ethz.ch.
    3. Confirm e-mail → dashboard opens; you can now access from any device.

    4 · Start from the Lab Template#

    Use the lab's thesis/report template: Lab Template

    📖 Need help structuring your thesis? Check out the Thesis Structure Guide for tips on how to fill in each section.

    1. Click the link → project opens in Overleaf.
    2. Top-left menu → Copy Project → it appears in My Projects.
    3. You now have a private copy; edit freely.

    5 · Organise Your Document#

    5.1 · Structure#

    \section{Introduction}
\subsection{Motivation}
% …
\chapter{Methods}
\input{methods/experiment.tex}

    Common layout:

    • Title page
    • Abstract
    • Table of Contents
    • Chapters (Intro, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion)
    • References (references.bib)

    5.2 · Figures & Tables#

    \begin{figure}[h]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.7\linewidth]{figures/setup.png}
  \caption{Experimental setup}
\end{figure}

    Preview renders instantly; drag-and-drop images into the figures/ folder.

    5.3 · Citations & Bibliography#

    1. Export refs from Zotero/Mendeley into refs.bib.
    2. Include in main.tex:
    \bibliography{refs}
\bibliographystyle{ieeetr} % or apa, unsrt, …
    1. Cite inline: \cite{einstein1905} → Overleaf formats automatically.

    5.4 · Acronyms (Recommended)#

    If your copy of the lab template does not already include acronym support, add it once in the preamble (main.tex):

    \usepackage{acronym}

    Then define acronyms (for example in a dedicated section or appendix):

    \begin{acronym}
  \acro{PINN}{Physics-Informed Neural Network}
  \acro{FEM}{Finite Element Method}
\end{acronym}

    Use in text:

    • \ac{PINN} on first use (prints full term + acronym)
    • \ac{PINN} later (prints acronym only)
    • \acs{PINN} acronym only, \acl{PINN} full text only

    5.5 · Math#

    Inline $E = mc^2$ or display:

    \begin{equation}
  \mathbf{F} = m\mathbf{a}
\end{equation}

    LaTeX math mode supports everything from subscripts to integrals.

    6 · Collaboration#

    • Click Share (top-right) → add supervisor’s ETHZ e-mail or generate link.
    • Edits sync live; coloured cursors show who is typing.
    • Use the Chat panel or % \todo{...} comments in source for feedback.

    7 · Compile & Download#

    • Overleaf auto-compiles on save; errors appear in the Logs panel.
    • Final PDF → Menu → Download PDF.
    • Need ZIP of sources? Menu → Download as ZIP.

    8 · Extra Productivity Tips#

    Tip How
    Version history Click History & Revisions → restore any snapshot.
    Track changes Enable Review → Track Changes for inline diffs.
    Spell/Grammar Toggle spell-checker (ABC✓ icon); language = English.
    Comments % starts a comment line—ignored in output.
    Snippets Type fig + Tab → figure skeleton (built-in snippets).
    Git sync (advanced) Overleaf → Menu → Git to pull/push via Git CLI.

    AI writing assistance: Use agents for outlines, clarity checks, LaTeX error debugging, and question generation. Do not upload unpublished confidential manuscripts, sensitive personal data, or restricted collaboration material to unapproved AI tools. Mark AI-assisted text for your own review before sharing it with a supervisor.

    Happy writing! LaTeX handles the formatting, so you can focus on the content.

    Verification And Recovery#

    • The project compiles from its declared main .tex file.
    • References resolve and the log has no unexplained fatal errors.
    • The supervisor has access through their own account.
    • Source and final PDF can be downloaded for handover.

    If compilation fails, read the first meaningful error and its source line. Do not repeatedly add packages or delete generated project content at an agent's suggestion. Restore a known revision through project history when a recent edit caused the failure.

    Ask For Help When#

    Template ownership, sharing rights, confidentiality, compilation failures, or AI-use disclosure is unclear. Ask the supervisor before changing project visibility or uploading protected material.

    Verified: 2026-08-04. Review by: 2027-02-04. Owner: project supervisor.