Selecting a TeX Live version and LaTeX compiler

You can select which version of TeX Live and which LaTeX compiler to use when compiling your project.

How do I change a project’s TeX Live version?

Use the following steps to change a project’s TeX Live version—the TeX Live setting is specific to each project and does not affect any other projects you may have.

1

Select the gear icon within your project.

Option 1: Gear icon

Option 2: File menu

2

Click Compiler in the modal sidebar, and navigate to the TeX Live version drop-down menu.

In most cases, the most recent version of Tex Live is recommended. Legacy versions are not recommended for new projects.

3

Select the TeX Live version required by your project, then close the menu by clicking anywhere outside the menu list.

Image showing how to choose the TeX Live version on Overleaf

Learn more about TeX Live and considerations for selecting a TeX Live version here.

Changing the compiler

Sometimes for certain languages, classes and packages it may be necessary to use a different compiler than the default pdflatex. With Overleaf, you can choose between pdfLaTeX, LaTeX, XeLaTeX, and LuaLaTeX.

To change the compiler:

1

Select the gear icon within your project.

Option 1: Gear icon

Option 2: File menu

2

Click Compiler in the modal sidebar, and navigate to the Compiler drop-down menu.

Why change compilers?

The default and most frequently used LaTeX compiler is pdfLaTeX. Other possible compiler settings are LaTeX, XeLaTeX and LuaLaTeX. In most cases, the default pdfLaTeX compiler is appropriate, but some projects require the use of one of the other compiler options.

• LaTeX supports only .eps and .ps image formats for use with \includegraphics. If all the images in your project are .eps files, then this compiler setting is recommended.
• pdfLaTeX supports .png, .jpg, .pdf image formats. It will convert .eps images to .pdf on-the-fly during compilation, which may prolong the compilation time required. (pdfLaTeX may not be able to handle pstricks well on Overleaf.)
• XeLaTeX and LuaLaTeX both support UTF-8 robustly, as well as Truetype and OpenType fonts. They are therefore recommended if you need to typeset non-Latin scripts on Overleaf, in conjunction with the polyglossia package. They also support all of the .png, .jpg, .pdf and .eps image formats. Note that XeLaTeX supports pstricks; but LuaLaTeX doesn't.

You can extend LuaLaTeX's capabilities by embedding Lua code directly in your document.

Producing a DVI output

The DVI (Device Independent) format is an alternative to the PDF, and is the format that is produced by default by the LaTeX compile engine. Some publishers may still request that you provide a DVI file.

On Overleaf, the final compiled output is always a PDF document. If you are required to produce a DVI file from your Overleaf project, here's what you can do:

Make sure you're using only .eps and .ps images in your project.

1

Change the compiler to LaTeX.

2

Recompile your project.

3

Click on the Logs and output files button (next to the Recompile button).

4

Scroll all the way down, and click on Other logs and output files.

5

Download the generated .dvi file in the list of options.