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.

Overleaf platform menu with a green 'New project' button. Options listed are Blank project, Example project, Upload project, and Import from GitHub
Main page, New Project button

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.

A dialog box titled "New project" is overlaid on an interface that shows options like "Blank project." An input field named "Project Name" is active, with "Cancel" and a disabled "Create" button below, indicating project creation in progress.
Chose Blank Project and provide a project name

The Overleaf Editor will open.

Screenshot of an Overleaf LaTeX editor displaying a code editor on the left and a document preview on the right. The code specifies a paper titled "Very important paper" with an author and date, and includes a section titled "Introduction."
A blank project in the Overleaf Editor

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.

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.

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.

Screenshot of Overleaf showing LaTeX code on the left and document preview on the right. The code editor contains packages and document setup, while the preview displays a formatted paper with headings.
The example project in the Overleaf Editor

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.

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