New Tool for Technical and Scientific Writing: Overleaf

Posted July 22, 2025 in Educational Technology News, Featured News, JMU Libraries News

Great news for LaTeX users at JMU! Faculty, staff, and students now have access to Overleaf, a tool for creating and editing LaTeX documents in a web browser.

What is LaTeX?

LaTeX (pronounced either “LAY-tek” or “LAH-tek”) is a document preparation system often used for typesetting technical or scientific documents.

What is Overleaf?

Overleaf is a cloud-based writing platform that allows you to create, edit, and collaborate on LaTeX documents online, across multiple operating systems, devices, and users.

Available to everyone at JMU, the Libraries’ Overleaf Professional subscription includes real-time track changes, unlimited collaborators, and full document history.

Here’s what you need to know about using Overleaf:

Visit this page and log in to the Professional subscription provided by JMU: 

• Anyone with a JMU email address can access the Overleaf Professional subscription. 

• If you have an existing Overleaf account associated with your JMU email, you should be prompted to join JMU’s institutional subscription. 

• If you have an existing Overleaf account associated with a different email address, Overleaf can help you migrate to the JMU subscription. 

• If you have never had an Overleaf account, use your JMU email address when setting up your account. 

Want help getting started?  

Self help: 

• Overleaf offers great tutorials on using LaTeX and Overleaf. 

Technical support: 

• Overleaf support staff can help with technical support questions (such as assistance with your account) and are very responsive. 

Using Overleaf in teaching and learning: 

• Request a consultation to discuss using Overleaf in teaching and learning.