Shortcut macro for tabularx environment

Question

I'm trying to define a shortcut using \newcommand for setting up a table using the tabularx environment. The command seems to work fine when beginning the table:

\newcommand{\bt}{\begin{tabularx}}

But doesn't work when ending the table:

\newcommand{\et}{\end{tabularx}}

The error message that I receive is:

! Missing } inserted.

<inserted text> 

                }

l.33 \end{tabularx}

Hi Richard, welcome to TeX.sx! I've formatted the code in your question. You can also do that yourself by selecting the code segments and clicking the {} button. Also, it's generally a good idea to include a minimal working example (MWE), i.e. the smallest complete, compilable document that demonstrates the problem. — Jake, Dec 06 '11 at 06:12
The tabularx environment only looks like an environment, but it's actually a command. See How to include tabularx/y in a new environment. — Alan Munn, Dec 06 '11 at 06:20

ejoerns · Answer 1 · 2011-12-13T11:00:40.410

5

An environment \begin{tabularx} expands to \begingroup\tabularx and \end{tabularx} expands to \endtabularx\endgroup.

With \let\a\b you can 'copy' the definition of macro \b to \a. That's how you create the short name:

\let\bt\tabularx
\let\et\endtabularx

Note: This does not copy the group.

Usage:

\bt{5cm}{lX}
 foo & bar
\et

edited Dec 13 '11 at 11:00

answered Dec 06 '11 at 07:19

ejoerns

1,811

3

Definition: Check, Usage: Check, Explanation: ??? – Martin Scharrer Dec 06 '11 at 09:12

Shortcut macro for tabularx environment

1 Answers1