LaTeX Commands & Functions Reference Guide
Reference guide to LaTeX commands and packages for document typesetting, mathematics, tables, figures, and formatting
Document Structure Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| \documentclass{} | Specifies the document class (e.g., article, report, book). |
| \usepackage{} | Includes additional LaTeX packages for extended functionality. |
| \begin{document} | Starts the content of the LaTeX document. |
| \end{document} | Ends the document. |
| \title{}, \author{}, \date{} | Defines the title, author, and date for the document. |
| \maketitle | Generates the title section. |
Mathematical Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| \frac{numerator}{denominator} | Creates a fraction. |
| \sqrt{expression} | Calculates square root. |
| \sum_{i=1}^{n} | Summation notation. |
| \int_{a}^{b} | Integral notation. |
| \alpha, \beta, \gamma... | Greek letters for mathematical symbols. |
| \begin{align} ... \end{align} | Aligns multiple equations. |
Table Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| \begin{tabular}{} | Starts a tabular environment for tables. |
| \hline | Adds a horizontal line in tables. |
| \multicolumn{num}{alignment}{text} | Merges multiple columns. |
| \caption{} | Adds a caption to the table. |
| \label{} | Assigns a reference label to a table or figure. |
Figure & Graphics Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| \includegraphics[width=...]{file} | Inserts an image file into the document. |
| \begin{figure} ... \end{figure} | Starts a figure environment for floating figures. |
| \caption{} | Sets the figure caption. |
| \label{} | Sets a reference label for the figure. |
| \centering | Centers content such as figures or tables. |
Popular LaTeX Packages
| Package | Description |
|---|---|
| amsmath | Advanced mathematical typesetting. |
| graphicx | Include and manage images. |
| geometry | Adjust page layout and margins. |
| hyperref | Adds hyperlinks and PDF navigation. |
| booktabs | Enhanced table formatting. |
| tikz | Draw diagrams, plots, and figures. |
About LaTeX Commands and Functions
This LaTeX commands reference provides a comprehensive overview of the most useful commands and packages for typesetting documents, mathematical equations, figures, tables, and academic reports. It’s designed for students, engineers, researchers, and professionals who use LaTeX to create technical and scientific documents with precision and consistency.
Applications
- Document Structure Commands – Define document class, preamble, title, and section organization for reports, theses, and articles.
- Mathematical Commands – Create equations, fractions, integrals, summations, and Greek symbols for professional mathematical typesetting.
- Table Commands – Design and format tables with alignment, captions, and labeling for data presentation.
- Figure & Graphics Commands – Insert and manage figures, diagrams, and images using the
graphicxpackage and figure environments. - Popular Packages – Extend LaTeX functionality with packages for geometry, hyperlinks, mathematical notation, and visual enhancements.
By mastering key LaTeX commands, you can:
- Format documents with precise control over layout and structure
- Typeset complex mathematical equations and scientific symbols
- Create consistent tables, figures, and references across chapters
- Enhance readability and maintain a professional academic standard
LaTeX remains the preferred platform for academic writing, technical documentation, and scientific publishing. This reference provides a practical and reliable guide to the most commonly used LaTeX commands and packages to help you write, structure, and format documents efficiently.