I know someone who wanted to write their thesis in LaTeX. Now, the thing about using LaTeX, especially for someone with an engineering background, is that it offers precision, automation, and professional formatting, but it also comes with a steep learning curve. And although there are plenty of TeX distributions to help you out with it, Overleaf is an online tool that makes writing in LaTeX easier by providing a user-friendly interface, real-time collaboration, and built-in templates.
You don’t have to install anything or struggle with complex setups. Now the question is Overleaf really that good? And is it better than all the other plugins and tools or is it just another gimmick to make LaTeX seem more accessible than it actually is? This Overleaf review has all your answers!
What is Overleaf?
Overleaf is an online LaTeX editor designed for writing, editing, and collaborating on LaTeX documents in real time. LaTeX is a typesetting system widely used for academic, scientific, and technical documents, particularly for papers, theses, and reports that require complex formatting, mathematical equations, and citations.
Unlike traditional LaTeX editors that require installation and configuration on your computer, Overleaf is entirely web-based. This means you can access and edit your LaTeX projects from anywhere with an internet connection, without needing to install additional software.
Overleaf also allows for real-time collaboration, making it ideal for academic teams and researchers who need to work together on documents simultaneously. With its intuitive interface, users can focus on content creation without worrying about the technical aspects of LaTeX formatting. The platform supports features like automatic version control, integrated commenting, and direct integration with citation management tools, making it a powerful tool for anyone working on technical writing projects.
Features of Overleaf
Online Editing: Since Overleaf runs in a web browser, there’s no need to install LaTeX distributions like TeX Live or MiKTeX. This makes it a convenient option for beginners and those who want to start using LaTeX immediately.
Cloud Storage & Version Control: All projects are stored in the cloud, eliminating the risk of losing files due to computer crashes. Overleaf also has built-in version control, allowing users to track changes and revert to previous versions if needed.
Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, making Overleaf an excellent tool for team projects, research papers, and co-authored publications. Changes are reflected in real time, allowing seamless collaboration.
Templates: Overleaf provides a vast library of templates for research papers, CVs, theses, books, and journal submissions, making it easier for users to get started with professional formatting.
Automatic Compiling & Live Preview: Overleaf automatically compiles your document as you type, displaying an instant preview of the formatted output. This saves time compared to traditional LaTeX editors, where you need to manually compile to see changes.
Submit Feature for Journal Submissions: Overleaf has a Submit feature that helps users prepare their documents for submission to academic journals. It provides guidance on journal-specific requirements, making sure that your paper meets formatting and submission guidelines correctly. This feature simplifies the submission process by offering direct submission to partnered journals, helping researchers avoid formatting errors and streamline the review process.
Pros
Easy Setup: No need to install LaTeX on your device. Just sign up and start writing.
Collaboration-Friendly: Ideal for co-authored papers, allowing multiple users to edit in real-time.
Accessible from Anywhere: Since it’s web-based, you can work from any device with an internet connection.
Auto-Compilation & Templates: Instant preview of documents with a wide range of templates for various academic formats.
Cons
Limited Features Compared to Local Editors: Some users find Overleaf restrictive, especially when managing multiple files. Editors like VS Code, IntelliJ IDEA, or TeXworks offer more customization and keybinding options.
Internet Dependency: Working offline isn’t seamless, and internet issues can disrupt workflow.
Performance Issues for Large Documents: Some users report slow performance when handling lengthy documents like PhD theses.
Version Control Alternatives Exist: Platforms like GitHub offer better version control without Overleaf’s limitations.
Pricing
Overleaf offers four pricing plans with different features, designed to cater to various user needs:
1. Free Plan
Price: $0 forever
Collaborators: 1 per project
Projects: Unlimited
Compile timeout: Basic
Support: Limited
2. Standard Plan
Price: $21 per month
Collaborators: 10 per project
Projects: Unlimited
Compile timeout: 12x Basic
Support: Priority support
Extra Features: GitHub, Dropbox, Mendeley, and Zotero integrations, real-time track changes, document history, and more.
3. Professional Plan
Price: $42 per month
Collaborators: Unlimited per project
Projects: Unlimited
Compile timeout: 12x Basic
Support: Priority support
Extra Features: Advanced integrations, full document history, symbol palette, GitHub, Dropbox, Mendeley, and Zotero integrations, etc.
4. Student Plan
Price: $9 per month
Collaborators: 6 per project
Projects: Unlimited
Compile timeout: 12x Basic
Support: Priority support
Extra Features: GitHub, Dropbox, Mendeley, and Zotero integrations, real-time track changes, document history, etc.
How to Get Started with Overleaf
Step 1: Open your browser and head over to the Overleaf LaTeX Editor.
Step 2: To create a new account on Overleaf, click on the "Sign Up" button to get started.
Step 3: On the sign-up window, simply use your email ID and a strong password to create a new account on Overleaf, or you can also connect your Google account to sign up.
Step 4: Once the account has been created, you will be redirected to set up your account.
Step 5: After setting up your account, you can start using Overleaf. Click on "Create a New Project" or "Browse Templates" to get started with your first LaTeX file.
Step 6: I have selected a CV template to edit and customize for myself. The tools and interface are easy to use. As a beginner, you can switch to the "Visual Editor" to skip the code, making editing easier.
Step 7: Once you’re done editing your *.TEX file, you can click on the "Download" icon to download a PDF version to your computer.
Step 8: The files you create on Overleaf are saved in the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere, anytime, through the Overleaf dashboard.
Bonus Tip: Editing PDFs Before Converting to LaTeX
Overleaf is an excellent tool for anyone who wants to work with LaTeX, especially for creating professional and complex documents. If you’re used to working with PDFs and only need LaTeX for specific elements like numerals, equations, or formatting, the transition can feel unnecessary. Instead of adjusting your entire workflow, WPS Office offers a practical solution that allows you to edit your PDFs first, making any necessary changes before converting them to LaTeX. This way, you maintain control over your document without getting caught up in complexities, and taking a direct plunge at LaTeX coding.
WPS Office allows you to edit PDFs before converting them to LaTeX, giving you the flexibility to make changes without diving deep into LaTeX formatting initially. Here’s how WPS can help:
Step 1: To begin editing PDFs on WPS Office, you need to open your PDF using WPS Office.
Step 2: Once the PDF is open, you’ll find various PDF editing tools available on the WPS PDF toolbar. In the "Edit" tab, you will find all the tools needed to edit, delete, or add new content to your PDF.
Step 3: The "Comment" tab allows you to leave comments, highlight text, and annotate your PDF file.
Step 4: You can also sign your PDF documents or fill out forms using the tools available in the "Fill & Sign" tab.
Step 5: Once you’re done editing your PDF file, click the "Menu" button, then select "Save" to save your PDF file to your system.
How to Download WPS PDF
Here's how you can easily download and install WPS PDF on your system, whether you're using Windows or Mac, with just a few simple steps.
Step 1: Visit the WPS Office website and click on the "Free Download" button on the webpage
Step 2: A file will begin downloading. Once the download is complete, double-click the file to start the WPS Office installation.
Step 3: Once the installation is complete, you can launch and start using the WPS Office suite.
FAQs
1. Why am I getting an "active content" error when uploading my PDF CV?
This error happens because your PDF contains embedded objects or active content such as hyperlinks, scripts, or metadata, which some systems flag as potential security risks. PDFs created through LaTeX, particularly on platforms like Overleaf, can sometimes include these elements.
To resolve this, you can reprint your PDF to remove the active content.
Step 1: Open your PDF in WPS Office.
Step 2: Go to the "File" menu and select "Print", or use the shortcut “Ctrl + P” to open the print dialog.
Step 3: In the "Name" field, choose "Microsoft Print to PDF" as the printer, then click "OK" to save the file.
This will flatten the document, removing any active content, making it compatible with secure upload
2. What formats does Overleaf export?
Overleaf offers multiple export options for your documents:
PDF Output: Overleaf automatically generates a PDF preview of your document, which you can download or share with others.
Download Source Files: You can download the source files of your document in a .zip format, which includes all LaTeX files, figures, and additional resources.
3. Does Overleaf work without the Internet?
While Overleaf is primarily an online LaTeX editor, it does provide integrations that allow you to create and sync local copies of your projects. This enables you to work offline using local text editors. Once you're back online, you can easily sync these local copies with your Overleaf project to ensure everything stays up to date.
Final Thoughts on Overleaf; Is it Worth it?
Overleaf is a powerful and user-friendly platform for working with LaTeX, but it’s not the only option out there. While other LaTeX editors with plugins can offer similar functionality, Overleaf stands out by streamlining the entire workflow in one place, making it especially valuable for collaboration. It's great for team projects, especially when submitting to journals that may require specific LaTeX packages.
However, if you prefer working independently, managing your LaTeX project locally can provide more control over the process. Combining a local LaTeX setup with WPS Office is an excellent way to handle your document’s formatting, references, and structure while maintaining complete control over edits.
