Overleaf

Overleaf is a collaborative writing platform based on LaTeX, designed to simplify the creation and management of academic, scientific and technical documents. Known for its capacity to manage complex documents with mathematical formulae, tables and bibliographical references, Overleaf offers an online workspace that supports collaboration in real time and the efficacious management of writing projects. 
Go straight to the tutorials if you wish to start using Overleaf.

Main features of Overleaf

1. Collaboration in real time:

• Synchronised modification: Overleaf enables several users to work simultaneously on the same document. The modifications are visualised in real time, enabling collaborators to see immediately any updates made by others.
• Chats and comments: you can communicate directly within the document via an integrated chat function and add comments to discuss modifications and suggestions without leaving the platform.

2. Advanced document management:

• Visualisation and preview: Overleaf provides a preview of the document in real time, as it is being written. This enables you to see immediately how the document will appear once completed, facilitating the management of complex formats such as those required by LaTeX.
• Management of the versions: the system keeps track of the modifications and the different versions of the document, enabling users to access previous versions and retrieve modifications if necessary.

3. Complete support for LaTeX:

• Topics and models: Overleaf offers a vast range of predefined models and topics for various types of academic document, including articles, theses, reports and presentations. These models are designed to respect the formatting standards required by journals and conferences.
• Integration of LaTeX packages: you can use additional LaTeX packages to extend the functionalities of the document such as the insertion of mathematical formulae, cross-references and complex tables.

4. Integration and compatibility:

• Bibliography management tools: Overleaf integrates with bibliography management tools such as Zotero and Mendeley. You can import directly BibTeX (.bib) and manage citations efficaciously within the LaTeX document.
• Files import: you can import existing LaTeX files, images and other documents directly on Overleaf, facilitating the transition to this platform for ongoing projects.

5. Collaboration and Sharing: 

• Simple sharing: you can invite collaborators to work on the same project simply by sharing a link. The sharing settings can be configured to enable read access or edit access.
• Publication and exportation: Overleaf offers options for exporting a document in various formats, such as PDF, and for sharing it or publishing it directly on academic platforms or journals.

6. Support and resources:

• Documentation and tutorials: Overleaf provides a vast range of resources, including tutorials, documentation and a complete guide for the use of LaTeX, to aid users in exploiting the platform to the full.
• Technical support: the Overleaf team offers technical support in the solving of problems and for answering specific questions regarding the use of the platform.

Benefits for Academic Research

• Efficienza e precisione: Overleaf is particularly useful for the writing of documents requiring a precise and complex formatting, such as scientific articles, theses and research reports. Its capacity to manage mathematical formulae and bibliographical references in an efficient manner is fundamental for scholars.
• Facilitated collaboration: the possibility to work simultaneously with other researchers and to communicate directly within the document improves the efficiency of group work and reduces the time needed to complete research projects.
• Online accessibility: as it is based on Overleaf, it enables you to access your documents from any place or device, without the need to instal additional software.
   

Tutorials

Inizia a usare Overleaf - a textual guide created by the SNS Library (in Italian language)

LaTeX for Students – A Simple Quickstart Guide - a tutorial video in English (duration: 4' 05")

Learn LaTeX in 30 minutes - a textual guide in English on the Overleaf web site

Documentation on the Overleaf web site