Do Latex diagrams work in the preview mode?

In summary, there are some issues with using LaTeX in the message editor's preview mode. It may not render properly until the page is refreshed, and it may not work at all if you are starting a new thread. One workaround is to lay out your post as a reply to something and then cut and paste it to your new thread.
  • #1
Stephen Tashi
Science Advisor
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I pasted examples (taken from old threads) of doing commutative diagrams in LaTex into the message editor and tried them in the preview mode. They didn't display. Should a correct example work in the preview mode?

I'll paste a couple in this message and see if they show up in the final post.



 
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  • #2
Stephen Tashi said:
I pasted examples (taken from old threads) of doing commutative diagrams in LaTex into the message editor and tried them in the preview mode. They didn't display. Should a correct example work in the preview mode?

I'll paste a couple in this message and see if they show up in the final post.



This one worked for me in preview mode (Win 11, Chrome).



The other one gives me the same error.
 
  • #3
Compare the underlying Latex and you'll see why one works and the other does not - our MathJax implementation has some idiosyncracies. A second confounding factor is that MathJax is loaded lazily so that sometimes the Latex won't be processed at all (neither the typesetting you expected nor an error) until the page is refreshed.
 
  • #4
Are there hints for getting Latex to work reliably in the message editor's preview mode?
 
  • #5
Stephen Tashi said:
Are there hints for getting Latex to work reliably in the message editor's preview mode?
If you are starting a new thread, no, you're stuck. Try laying out your post as a reply to something then cut and paste it to your new thread.

If you are replying the put some LaTeX in your post and preview it. If there's already LaTeX in the page it should render. If not, it won't render. In that case, refresh the page while still in preview mode. Preview again and the LaTeX should render.
 

FAQ: Do Latex diagrams work in the preview mode?

Do Latex diagrams work in the preview mode?

Yes, LaTeX diagrams can work in preview mode, but this depends on the specific editor or platform you are using. Many modern LaTeX editors and online platforms support real-time preview of diagrams.

Which LaTeX editors support preview mode for diagrams?

Several LaTeX editors support preview mode for diagrams, including Overleaf, TeXShop, and TeXworks. These editors provide a live preview feature that allows you to see your diagrams as you write the code.

Are there any special packages required for previewing LaTeX diagrams?

Yes, some LaTeX diagrams require specific packages like TikZ, PGFPlots, or PSTricks. Ensure that you have these packages installed and included in your document preamble to properly preview the diagrams.

Why is my LaTeX diagram not appearing in preview mode?

There could be several reasons for this issue: missing packages, syntax errors, or compatibility issues with the editor. Double-check your code for errors, ensure all necessary packages are included, and consult the documentation for your editor.

Can I interact with LaTeX diagrams in preview mode?

In most cases, preview mode is static and does not allow for interaction with diagrams. However, some advanced editors and online platforms might offer limited interactive features, such as zooming or panning within the preview window.

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