> 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/questions-and-answers/16-how-can-i-include-matlab-code-in-my-latex-document.md).

# How can I include MATLAB code in my LaTeX document?

The [`matlab-prettifier` package](https://www.ctan.org/pkg/matlab-prettifier) can be used to typeset MATLAB code and was written in response to a [question on tex.stackexchange](https://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/75116/what-can-i-use-to-typeset-matlab-code-in-my-document).

### The lstlisting environment

After including the `matlab-prettifier` package in your document via

```latex
\usepackage{matlab-prettifier}
```

you can use the `lstlisting` environment to typeset MATLAB code:

```latex
\begin{lstlisting}[<options>]
MATLAB code...
\end{lstlisting}
```

where `<options>` is a comma-separated list of parameters whose values are set using key–value pairs (i.e., `parameter=value`).

* **Note**: The `matlab-prettifier` package is built around the `listings` package, enabling use of features provided by `listings`, including parameters within `<options>` of the `lstlisting` environment. However, some `listings` parameters should *not* be used, and readers are advised to consult the [`matlab-prettifier` documentation](http://mirrors.ctan.org/macros/latex/contrib/matlab-prettifier/matlab-prettifier.pdf) for further details.

The visual appearance of typeset MATLAB code can be changed using the `style` parameter, which supports three values:

* `Matlab-editor`
* `Matlab-bw`
* `Matlab-Pyglike`

The following examples demonstrate how to use those styles.

### Examples

Here is an example, using MATLAB code from `matlab-prettifier`’s documentation, which applies the `Matlab-editor` style:

```latex
\documentclass[a4paper]{article}
\usepackage{matlab-prettifier}
\begin{document}

\begin{lstlisting}[style=Matlab-editor]
%% Sample Matlab code
!mv test.txt test2.txt
A = [1, 2, 3;... foo
     4, 5, 6];
s = 'abcd';
for k = 1:4
  Disp(s(k)) % bar
end
%{
create row vector x, then reverse it
%}
x = linspace(0,1,101);
y = x(end:-1:1);
\end{lstlisting}
\end{document}
```

[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=A+matlab-prettifier+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%5Ba4paper%5D%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bmatlab-prettifier%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%0A%5Cbegin%7Blstlisting%7D%5Bstyle%3DMatlab-editor%5D%0A%25%25+Sample+Matlab+code%0A%21mv+test.txt+test2.txt%0AA+%3D+%5B1%2C+2%2C+3%3B...+foo%0A+++++4%2C+5%2C+6%5D%3B%0As+%3D+%27abcd%27%3B%0Afor+k+%3D+1%3A4%0A++Disp%28s%28k%29%29+%25+bar%0Aend%0A%25%7B%0Acreate+row+vector+x%2C+then+reverse+it%0A%25%7D%0Ax+%3D+linspace%280%2C1%2C101%29%3B%0Ay+%3D+x%28end%3A-1%3A1%29%3B%0A%5Cend%7Blstlisting%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)

This example produces the following output:

![MATLAB code typeset in LaTeX on Overleaf](/files/3dh7AN7Q64qu5rIGceDI)

The next example set values for the `frame` and `numbers` parameters provided by the `listings` package:

```latex
\documentclass[a4paper]{article}
\usepackage{matlab-prettifier}
\begin{document}

\begin{lstlisting}[
frame=single,
numbers=left,
style=Matlab-Pyglike]
%% Sample Matlab code
!mv test.txt test2.txt
A = [1, 2, 3;... foo
     4, 5, 6];
s = 'abcd';
for k = 1:4
  Disp(s(k)) % bar
end
%{
create row vector x, then reverse it
%}
x = linspace(0,1,101);
y = x(end:-1:1);
\end{lstlisting}
\end{document}
```

[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=A+second+matlab-prettifier+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%5Ba4paper%5D%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bmatlab-prettifier%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%0A%5Cbegin%7Blstlisting%7D%5B%0Aframe%3Dsingle%2C%0Anumbers%3Dleft%2C%0Astyle%3DMatlab-Pyglike%5D%0A%25%25+Sample+Matlab+code%0A%21mv+test.txt+test2.txt%0AA+%3D+%5B1%2C+2%2C+3%3B...+foo%0A+++++4%2C+5%2C+6%5D%3B%0As+%3D+%27abcd%27%3B%0Afor+k+%3D+1%3A4%0A++Disp%28s%28k%29%29+%25+bar%0Aend%0A%25%7B%0Acreate+row+vector+x%2C+then+reverse+it%0A%25%7D%0Ax+%3D+linspace%280%2C1%2C101%29%3B%0Ay+%3D+x%28end%3A-1%3A1%29%3B%0A%5Cend%7Blstlisting%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)

This example produces the following output:

![MATLAB code typeset in LaTeX on Overleaf](/files/ma5SG9Q7HGNAzHO6RiGo)

### Using MATLAB code stored in a file

Instead of including MATLAB code directly within your LaTeX document, use the `\lstinputlisting` command to import and typeset code contained in an external file:

```latex
\lstinputlisting[<options>]{<filename>}
```

where

* `<options>` is a comma-separated list of parameters provided as key–value pairs [(see above)](#matopts);
* `<filename>` is the path to a file containing MATLAB code.

For example, to import the file `sample.m` and typeset it in the `Matlab-bw` style you would write

```latex
\lstinputlisting[style=Matlab-bw]{sample.m}
```

The next example places a frame around the code, numbers the lines of code (on the left), and uses the `Matlab-bw` style:

```latex
\lstinputlisting[
frame=single,
numbers=left,
style=Matlab-editor
]{sample.m}
```

Select the `Open this example in Overleaf` link ([see below](#openol)) to automatically create an Overleaf project which includes the `sample.m` MATLAB code file.

**`main.tex`**

```latex
\documentclass[a4paper]{article}
\usepackage{matlab-prettifier}
\begin{document}
\title{Importing and typesetting MATLAB code contained in a file}
\lstinputlisting[
frame=single,
numbers=left,
style=Matlab-bw
]{sample.m}

\end{document}
```

**`sample.m`**

```latex
%% Sample Matlab code
!mv test.txt test2.txt
A = [1, 2, 3;... foo
     4, 5, 6];
s = 'abcd';
for k = 1:4
  Disp(s(k)) % bar
end
%{
create row vector x, then reverse it
%}
x = linspace(0,1,101);
y = x(end:-1:1);
```

[Open this example in Overleaf (it creates the `sample.m` file).](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name\[]=main.tex\&snip\[]=%5Cdocumentclass%5Ba4paper%5D%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bmatlab-prettifier%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Ctitle%7BImporting+and+typesetting+MATLAB+code+contained+in+a+file%7D%0A%5Clstinputlisting%5B%0Aframe%3Dsingle%2C%0Anumbers%3Dleft%2C%0Astyle%3DMatlab-bw%0A%5D%7Bsample.m%7D%0A%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D\&snip_name\[]=sample.m\&snip\[]=%25%25+Sample+Matlab+code%0A%21mv+test.txt+test2.txt%0AA+%3D+%5B1%2C+2%2C+3%3B...+foo%0A+++++4%2C+5%2C+6%5D%3B%0As+%3D+%27abcd%27%3B%0Afor+k+%3D+1%3A4%0A++Disp%28s%28k%29%29+%25+bar%0Aend%0A%25%7B%0Acreate+row+vector+x%2C+then+reverse+it%0A%25%7D%0Ax+%3D+linspace%280%2C1%2C101%29%3B%0Ay+%3D+x%28end%3A-1%3A1%29%3B\&main_document=main.tex)

This example produces the following output:

![MATLAB code typeset in LaTeX on Overleaf](/files/11o4NJV4H75bQ1oZ38YF)


---

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