# Your first project

When logged in, to start a new project in the project dashboard, click the **New Project** button. You will see a drop-down menu.

<figure><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FZCjkhIrV4CSTByHgsbiC%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fa4f1cd1-b598-4ea3-b073-979e2a71ecfd" alt="Overleaf platform menu with a green &#x27;New project&#x27; button. Options listed are Blank project, Example project, Upload project, and Import from GitHub" width="211"><figcaption><p>Main page, New Project button</p></figcaption></figure>

Two quick options for getting started are to begin with a **Blank Project** or the **Example Project**.

## Starting with a blank project

Click **Blank project**. A box will open where you can enter the name of your new project, then click **Create**.

<figure><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FwDBgD5dOjIbgIOJAT8T9%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5040b399-d470-4f45-8aed-ff51bbce67d1" alt="A dialog box titled &#x22;New project&#x22; is overlaid on an interface that shows options like &#x22;Blank project.&#x22; An input field named &#x22;Project Name&#x22; is active, with &#x22;Cancel&#x22; and a disabled &#x22;Create&#x22; button below, indicating project creation in progress."><figcaption><p>Chose Blank Project and provide a project name</p></figcaption></figure>

The Overleaf Editor will open.

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F57Ds2j2JTZW2t9zrhEpq%2FBlankProject-NewDesign-Dark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7cb56e00-4ac6-43ea-aec3-7235c5310eb1" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FwreFZV4UUALGXTsHo9Xq%2FBlankProject-NewDesign-Light.png?alt=media&#x26;token=378dc6b1-b5db-4748-932d-5d0ae46094a4" alt="Image of a blank project in the Overleaf Editor"></picture><figcaption><p>A blank project in the Overleaf Editor</p></figcaption></figure>

A new document is created with some basic information already filled in. You can now start editing your .tex file. To view the changes, click **Recompile**. For more information on how to create a basic LaTeX document, see [Learn LaTeX in 30 minutes](https://www.overleaf.com/learn/latex/Learn_LaTeX_in_30_minutes).

## Starting with the example project

Another option to start a new project is to use an Example project. In the Project Dashboard page, click the button **New project** and in the drop-down menu, click **Example project.**&#x20;

You will see a text box where you can enter the name of your new project. Now click **Create** and you will be redirected to the editor where a sample document will open.

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FbDhs5fNXaqS3npinY4eZ%2FExampleProject-NewDesign-Dark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=77a89bc7-d6a5-488c-a284-b62e4cd2987e" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FsYUZK5XLWT93qVGii9Rv%2FExampleProject-NewDesign-Light.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c676ca48-a8ac-4a34-852f-69b336712383" alt="Image of the example project in the Overleaf Editor"></picture><figcaption><p>The example project in the Overleaf Editor</p></figcaption></figure>

This sample document contains an image inside a float element and a basic bibliography file. You can use this sample as a guide to begin editing your project.

### Your first LaTeX document

To learn more about the LaTeX code to include in your first project, please read: [Learn LaTeX in 30 minutes](https://www.overleaf.com/learn/latex/Learn_LaTeX_in_30_minutes).
