> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/mathematics/13-kb-using-the-symbol-palette-in-overleaf.md). # Using the Symbol Palette in Overleaf ## Introduction This article explores Overleaf’s **Symbol Palette**—a quick and convenient way to insert math symbols into your document. The **Symbol Palette** is a [premium feature](/latex/knowledge-base/120-overleaf-premium-features.md). Overleaf premium features are available to participants in [Overleaf Commons](https://www.overleaf.com/for/universities), members of group [subscriptions](https://www.overleaf.com/for/groups), and owners of individual [subscriptions](https://www.overleaf.com/user/subscription/plans). ## Adding symbols to your document To open the **Symbol Palette**, click the **Ω** button, which is visible when using the **Code Editor** or **Visual Editor**: {% embed url="" %} The **Symbol Palette** will open at the bottom of the editor window. ![The Overleaf Symbol Palette](/files/PwP8bWcAIIfNklhZtsLz) To close the **Symbol Palette** click the **Ω** button again, or use the **X** symbol located on the palette. ### Video demonstration The **Symbol Palette** has a selection of commonly-used mathematical symbols you can browse or search by typing their name or an alias into the **Search** box. All symbols contained in the **Symbol Palette** are designed for use within mathematical content, which means they need to be inserted at a point where the LaTeX document compiler will be in so-called *math mode.* If you don’t know anything about math mode, watch the following video and read the [next section](#math-mode). {% embed url="" %} ## Math mode Symbols shown in the **Symbol Palette** should only be inserted into your document when LaTeX is in math mode, which means they must be enclosed within special math markup: * To put your equations in *inline* mode enclose it within the delimiters: `\( \)` or `$ $`. You can also place it within the `math` environment: `\begin{math} \end{math}`. * To put your equations in *display* math mode, use either `\[ \]` or `\begin{equation} \end{equation}` This also applies to symbols such as subscripts (\_), integrals (`\int`), Greek letters (`\alpha`, `\beta`, `\delta`) and modifiers (`\vec{x}`, `\tilde{x}`). If you’d like to learn more about math mode, we have a short explanation [here](/latex/mathematics/01-mathematical-expressions.md#mathematical-modes) and for a more general overview of writing math in LaTeX, check out [Learn LaTeX in 30 minutes](/latex/latex-basics/01-learn-latex-in-30-minutes.md)—in particular, the section [Adding math to LaTeX](/latex/latex-basics/01-learn-latex-in-30-minutes.md#adding-math-to-latex). If you add one of these symbols *outside* of math mode, you will see some errors when compiling your document. The error you will see depends on what else is in your document, but a common error triggered by math symbols used outside of math mode is [`Missing $ inserted`](/latex/latex-errors/25-missing-inserted.md) ## Packages Some symbols require you to use extra packages—if you hover on the symbol the tooltip will tell you which package you need: ![Symbol Palette advising need of a LaTeX package](/files/dqBSgynMFXtSXSP53LB3) For example, in this case, to use the `\iint` symbol you need to make sure you have `\usepackage{amsmath}` in your document preamble, i.e. before the `\begin{document}` statement. To see the packages Overleaf supports, read [What packages do you support?](/latex/knowledge-base/155-what-packages-do-you-support.md) ## Further Reading We have plenty of help articles; here are some that you might be interested in: * [Using the File Outline in Overleaf](/latex/knowledge-base/147-using-the-file-outline-in-overleaf.md) * [Using the Overleaf project menu](/latex/knowledge-base/148-using-the-overleaf-project-menu.md) * [Missing $ inserted](/latex/latex-errors/25-missing-inserted.md) * [Mathematical expressions](/latex/mathematics/01-mathematical-expressions.md) * [Spacing in math mode](/latex/mathematics/08-spacing-in-math-mode.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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