Entering math mode in AUCTeX using $ and $

Question

As pointed out in this answer, using $ and $ in order to enter inline math mode in LaTeX is the recommended practice. However, this takes a bit longer if one compares it to $.

Is there a way to make it quicker when using emacs+auctex? What are you guys doing in order to type it in quicker?

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 30 '11 at 14:58

6

I use yasnippet. awesome package for inserting snippets. there is latex snippet bundle you can use. Infact there is already a written snippet to insert exactly what you are asking for.

edited Dec 30 '11 at 14:58

N.N.

36,163

answered Sep 04 '11 at 20:54

kindahero

236

It looks like the one thing I was after. Does the LaTeX bundle include a snippet for $ $ or did you add one manually? I found only the one for \[ and \]... – Dror Sep 05 '11 at 05:43
Yes, its already included. I type math and hit TAB. thats it. its dead easy to write a new snippet for your needs. – kindahero Sep 05 '11 at 06:29
Thnx! math+TAB generates a \[ \] pair - but I managed to create the snippet I needed! Thnx again. – Dror Sep 05 '11 at 07:18
@kindahero I would use a simpler key, as in shorter, for inline math because it may be used very often. – N.N. Dec 30 '11 at 13:59
@N.N. ofcourse yasnippet allows you to use what ever key you want. for eg: here in this case adding a line in your snippet file makes it happen # key: m – kindahero Dec 30 '11 at 15:29
1

@kindahero Indeed. I just meant that you might use inline math several times per paragraph and then you will be more effective if you use a short key. – N.N. Dec 30 '11 at 15:30
I tried to write a snippet and then saved it. Worked fine. But when I quit out of emacs and come back again that snippet is gone and it no longer works. – Jul 15 '17 at 19:02

score 5 · Answer 2 · edited Sep 19 '17 at 09:50

5

As described in its documentation, AUCTeX provides the function TeX-insert-dollar which inserts the two strings of TeX-electric-math and adjusts point position to between those strings when "$" is typed.

The following elisp can be added to a hook on LaTeX-mode to insert "$" and "$" then place the point after the opening paren when an unmatched "$" (i.e., the "$" is not closing an existing math environment) is typed:

(add-hook 'LaTeX-mode-hook
          (lambda () (set (make-variable-buffer-local 'TeX-electric-math)
                  (cons "\\(" "\\)"))))

edited Sep 19 '17 at 09:50

giordano

8,486

answered Sep 18 '17 at 18:02

lafrenierejm

51
1
4

Welcome to TeX.SX. What is the difference of your answer to Tilo Wiklund ones? – Stefan Pinnow Sep 18 '17 at 18:06
1

@StefanPinnow My answer includes a link to the official documentation and includes code to actually implement the suggested solution. – lafrenierejm Sep 18 '17 at 18:08

Audrey · Answer 3 · 2012-01-29T04:06:37.473

You can setup a key binding in your .emacs file. This definition is based on the one for TeX-insert-braces (C-c{) from tex.el.

(add-hook 'LaTeX-mode-hook
  '(lambda ()
    (define-key TeX-mode-map "\C-cm" 'TeX-insert-inline-math)
    (defun TeX-insert-inline-math (arg)
      "Like TeX-insert-brackes but for \(...\)" (interactive "P")
      (if (TeX-active-mark)
        (progn
          (if (< (point) (mark)) (exchange-point-and-mark))
          (insert "\\)")
          (save-excursion (goto-char (mark)) (insert "\\(")))
          (insert "\\(")
          (save-excursion
            (if arg (forward-sexp (prefix-numeric-value arg)))
            (insert "\\)"))))))

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 27 '17 at 10:05

2

Pressing $ in AUCTeX runs TeX-insert-dollar, the behaviour of which is controlled by the variable TeX-electric-math which can be set to use any pair of symbols instead of the default pair of $.

answered Jan 27 '17 at 10:05

Tilo Wiklund

323

Pressing the dollar sign does no such thing on mine. :( – Jul 15 '17 at 19:01

Entering math mode in AUCTeX using \( and \)

4 Answers4

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