> 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/more-topics/13-free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-1.md). # Free online introduction to LaTeX (part 1) Part 1 | [Part 2](/latex/more-topics/14-free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-2.md) | [Part 3](/latex/more-topics/15-free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-3.md) ## Part 1: The Basics Welcome to the first part of our free online course to help you learn $$\mathrm\LaTeX$$. If you have never used LaTeX before, or if it has been a while and you would like a refresher, this is the place to start. This course will get you writing LaTeX right away with interactive exercises that can be completed online, so you don't have to download and install LaTeX on your own computer. In this part of the course, we'll take you through the basics of how LaTeX works, explain how to get started, and go through lots of examples. Core LaTeX concepts, such as commands, environments, and packages, are introduced as they arise. In particular, we'll cover: * Setting up a LaTeX Document * Typesetting Text * Handling LaTeX Errors * Typesetting Equations * Using LaTeX Packages In [part two](/latex/more-topics/14-free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-2.md) and [part three](/latex/more-topics/15-free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-3.md), we'll build up to writing beautiful structured documents with figures, tables and automatic bibliographies, and then show you how to apply the same skills to make professional presentations with beamer and advanced drawings with TikZ. Let's get started! These slides have also been [translated into French](http://jdleesmiller.github.io/latex-course/fr/part1.pdf) (thanks to Yannis Haralambous) and [several other languages](https://github.com/jdleesmiller/latex-course#translations). You can [download a PDF](https://www.overleaf.com/latex/learn/free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-1.pdf) or browse the slides below: {% embed url="" %} We hope you enjoy learning LaTeX with our course. Ready to start writing? [Sign up for Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/signup)—it's the easiest way to write and collaborate on your new LaTeX projects! ## Move on to Part 2 In [part two](/latex/more-topics/14-free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-2.md) and [part three](/latex/more-topics/15-free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-3.md), we'll build up to writing beautiful structured documents with figures, tables and automatic bibliographies, and then show you how to apply the same skills to make professional presentations with beamer and advanced drawings with TikZ. Let's get started! Looking for slides for your LaTeX course? These slides are [open source](https://github.com/jdleesmiller/latex-course) and permissively licensed (MIT), so you're free to remix them for use in your own courses. Enjoy! :) --- # 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. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/more-topics/13-free-online-introduction-to-latex-part-1.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.