How to rename Abstract title in Memoir?

Question

I'm trying to customize the Abstract of a memoir document using the following command:

 \renewcommand{\abstractname}{Executive Summary}

The problem is that it actually has no effect. How can I achieve this?

Can you construct a minimal example that shows the problem? Out of the box, this should do what you want. — Alan Munn, Aug 02 '11 at 23:40

score 47 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 03 '11 at 06:56

47

Your command is correct. However, I guess you're using the babel langage package which overrides it. In that case, use the \addto command of babel, i.e. replace

\renewcommand{\abstractname}{Executive Summary}

by

\addto{\captionsenglish}{\renewcommand{\abstractname}{Executive Summary}}

That applies to further names as well, such as \prefacename, \refname etc. You can use one \addto command for all. If you use a different language, replace \captionsenglish by the similar command corresponding to the language.

answered Aug 03 '11 at 06:56

Stefan Kottwitz

231,401

Thanks.. your guess is right, and it works :) LyX adds the babel package by default although I don't think I need it. I still don't know why it overrides the abstract name, but I'll use your solution. – John Kirollos Aug 03 '11 at 21:42
@Tom Perhaps with further information, such as your (reduced) source code. Perhaps post a new question if it's long or if your situation is different. – Stefan Kottwitz Nov 10 '12 at 16:44
Why do I get ! Undefined control sequence. \addto? – André Fratelli Aug 26 '15 at 21:43
@AndréFratelli I assume because you did not load babel. But then a direct \renewcommand should work. Otherwise you could just ask a new question with all details you have. – Stefan Kottwitz Aug 27 '15 at 10:52
1

I ended up here because \renewcommand wasn't working. This solution didn't either. I'm putting a pin on this issue for now, but I just might follow your recommendation later. Thanks. – André Fratelli Aug 27 '15 at 17:17
This did it for me, if anybody else comes looking for a solution. – André Fratelli Aug 29 '15 at 11:27
can we apply same approach for the references name? – alper Oct 17 '23 at 16:37
@alper Yes, it should be with \refname. – Stefan Kottwitz Oct 17 '23 at 18:16

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 12 '15 at 09:50

3

And, of course,

\addto{\captionsitalian}{\renewcommand{\abstractname}{Contenuto}}

if the language is Italian, and, generally:

\addto{\captionsLANGUAGE}{\renewcommand{\abstractname}{Contenuto}}

answered Dec 12 '15 at 09:50

Giacomo Alessandroni

1,943

For what it's worth captionsenglish is not the same as captionsbritish !? – Aaron Jul 09 '21 at 05:21

How to rename Abstract title in Memoir?

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