Underscore in filenames in \textit{} imported from a python script

Question

I'm trying to import the name of a result file from a python script and displaying it in the report. In the LaTeX template I have a bunch of variables defined as ${variablename}. The python script changes this into the actual variable values. I only have problem with one variable, the filename.

The code works as long as the filename doesn't contain any underscores. I've tried loosing the \texit{} command, using \StrSubstitute (with \\_, \bs and \textunderscore) and math mode. The only thing that kinda worked was math mode, but I want it displayes as text. With math mode the file name was so long that it continued far off the page. With \textit{} and no underscores it splits the filename, just like I want it.

I'm at loss.

\documentclass[a4paper,11pt,titlepage]{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}

\usepackage{booktabs} % professional tables
\usepackage{gensymb} % \degree and \celsius, try '$ texdoc gensymb'
\usepackage{amsmath, amsfonts, amssymb} % mathematical symbols
\usepackage{float, longtable, graphicx}

% end of preamble, start of document

\begin{document}

 -Code irrelevant to problem-

\section{Results}\label{sec:results}
The test results are taken from the file named \textit{${RESFILEname}}

-More irrelevant code-

\end{document}

Welcome to TeX.SX! You can have a look on our starter guide to familiarize yourself further with our format. — karlkoeller, Jun 27 '13 at 09:07

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 27 '13 at 09:14

8

Perhaps the most robust solution for filenames is to add

\usepackage{url}

Then use \path{my_file_name} The url package commands take care of special symbols, and allow the line to break. You can customise the font used, see the comments in the file.

answered Jun 27 '13 at 09:14

David Carlisle

757,742

i find it easier to read the comments in the file, but i'm "unusual". url.sty is one of the packages i've generated tex->pdf docs for. $MLC/url/url.pdf on ctan, texdoc url on my tl machine – wasteofspace Jun 27 '13 at 09:33
David: Thanks. That worked! The actual reference doesn't work, but that's not too big of a problem. I also added urlcolor=black so it wouldn't stand out so much – huyx Jun 27 '13 at 10:07

score 7 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 27 '13 at 09:53

You can use the package url as stated by David Carlisle, but if you want your filenames to be printed in italic, I suggest to define a custom command with a custom font.

That is, add the following lines to your document:

\usepackage{url}
\def\UrlFont{\it}                         % italic shape for the used font
\DeclareUrlCommand\itfile{\urlstyle{it}}  % declare new command \itfile

and then replace \textit{${RESFILEname}} with \itfile{${RESFILEname}}, so to have

\documentclass[a4paper,11pt,titlepage]{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}

\usepackage{booktabs} % professional tables
\usepackage{gensymb} % \degree and \celsius, try '$ texdoc gensymb'
\usepackage{amsmath, amsfonts, amssymb} % mathematical symbols
\usepackage{float, longtable, graphicx}

\usepackage{url}
\def\UrlFont{\it}                         % italic shape for the used font
\DeclareUrlCommand\itfile{\urlstyle{it}}  % declare new command \itfile

% end of preamble, start of document

\begin{document}

 -Code irrelevant to problem-

\section{Results}\label{sec:results}
The test results are taken from the file named \itfile{${RESFILEname}}

-More irrelevant code-

\end{document}

Underscore in filenames in \textit{} imported from a python script

2 Answers2