# PDF viewer options and navigation

Overleaf provides two options for the PDF viewer: the Overleaf PDF viewer and the default browser PDF viewer. The Overleaf PDF viewer provides specific zoom, navigation, and presentation options, remembers your position between compiles, and supports jump-to-location (allowing you to move easily between locations in the source and the PDF). However, sometimes browser or other limitations may require you to use the default browser PD viewer.

## The Overleaf PDF and the Browser PDF viewers

Occasionally, TikZ drawings may appear incorrectly, or images may not display as expected in the PDF viewer. Sometimes, these can be resolved by changing the PDF viewer from *Overleaf* to *Browser*.

{% hint style="danger" %}
If images are not displaying, first check that you have set your compile mode to **Normal**, rather than **Fast \[draft]**. See: [recompiling-your-project](https://docs.overleaf.com/getting-started/recompiling-your-project "mention").
{% endhint %}

### How to select Overleaf’s PDF viewer

Select the Settings icon in the bottom left, browse to Editor > PDF Viewer, and ensure it is set to **Overleaf**.

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FgFDhmEGhZkCN6uhW16qs%2FPDFViewerNewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=de69a8de-264a-4d27-8c1e-46e6b1b8bb68" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FK7uZv2PmdM8LqNVTqWcW%2FPDFViewerLightNewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7c66a035-1096-4246-8c1a-0ed78d13d3f1" alt="Image showing the PDF Viewer options in the Settings" width="563"></picture><figcaption><p>Image showing how to select the Overleaf PDF viewer</p></figcaption></figure>

### Browser PDF viewer limitations

Note the following behaviors when using the *Browser* PDF viewer option:

* SyncTeX arrows [(jump-to-preview and jump-to-source)](https://learn.overleaf.com/learn/Kb/How_to_jump_to_the_source_code_from_the_typeset_PDF_\(SyncTeX\)) do not work.
* Each *Recompile* will return to the first page of the output PDF.
* Overleaf's PDF navigation controls are not available (only browser provided navigation tools are supported).

## PDF navigation

The following annotated screenshot summarizes the navigation tools provided by Overleaf’s PDF viewer.

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FrCSEWtwutISwq8BwKKdC%2FPDFNavigationDark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=330ab87b-be9a-4350-b764-23deecaeee44" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FPmThaXpkMvjXAVKLPJot%2FPDFNavigationLight.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9fee631a-eaac-4e15-b533-1135602a734e" alt="Image of navigation tools provided by the PDF viewer: Next Page, Previous Page, Jump to a Specific Page, Zoom Out, Zoom In, Current Zoom Level, and Zoom-level Menu"></picture><figcaption><p>Annotated screenshot summarizing navigation tools provided by Overleaf’s PDF viewer</p></figcaption></figure>

### The zoom-level menu

Apart from Presentation mode, the zoom-level menu entries are mostly self-explanatory: you can zoom in or out; fit the PDF page to the viewer window width or height; set a custom zoom value by entering a specific percentage, or select one of the preset zoom levels.

<div align="center"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F2XZYlRMdxj9pJuk8jXKP%2FZoomLevelMenuOptionsDarkNewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=995fd663-483c-49b6-97c2-e397a9ff07ed" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FiECQpn2pzYj4dbrez8ln%2FZoomLevelMenuOptionsLightNewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=12e8b6da-e064-4ec6-b14e-32ef65b7c4f9" alt="Image of the zoom-level menu options: Set a custom zoom level, zoom in, zoom out, fit to width, fit to height, presentation mode, and zoom to 50%, 75%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 400%." width="375"></picture><figcaption><p>The Zoom menu provided by Overleaf’s PDF viewer</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## How to use presentation mode

Overleaf’s presentation mode offers a full-screen view of your PDF document, minimizing distractions by completely hiding Overleaf’s user interface. This mode lets you present your document directly from Overleaf without downloading it.

<figure><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F3FAjvaWZs14VjxjuINYo%2FPresentationModeBeamerExample.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fe74a6fb-3e20-418c-81ca-482682ca8ad1" alt="Dark green slide with the Overleaf logo. Text reads: &#x22;\begin{learning} Writing made easy with Overleaf, Writefull, and Papers. Dr M Allard.&#x22; Right side has math doodles."><figcaption><p>An example of presentation mode</p></figcaption></figure>

### Document navigation in presentation mode

Use the following keys to navigate a document in presentation mode.

* Arrow keys
* Space or Shift-Space
* Backspace
* PgUp/PgDn

#### How to leave presentation mode

* Press the Esc key on Mac, Windows, or Linux.

## Navigation shortcuts using a keyboard and mouse

Outside of presentation mode, Overleaf’s PDF viewer supports various keyboard shortcuts and mouse actions for navigating and interacting with your compiled LaTeX document (PDF). To use keyboard shortcuts, ensure the Overleaf PDF viewer window is [in focus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_\(computing\)). Mouse actions, such as using the scroll wheel, work without requiring the viewer window to have the focus.

### Keyboard shortcuts

To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold ⌘ (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows/Linux), then press the accompanying shortcut key; for example, to zoom in on a Mac, press and hold ⌘, then press the + key.

<table data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th>Mac</th><th>Windows/Linux</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Zoom in</td><td>⌘ +</td><td>Ctrl +</td></tr><tr><td>Zoom out</td><td>⌘ -</td><td>Ctrl -</td></tr><tr><td>Fit to width</td><td>⌘ 0</td><td>Ctrl 0</td></tr><tr><td>Fit to height</td><td>⌘ 9</td><td>Ctrl 9</td></tr></tbody></table>

* Fit to width and fit to height: Automatically adjust the PDF to fit the width or height of the PDF viewer window.

#### Other ways to navigate your PDF

**To zoom in or out:**

* Use pinch gestures on a trackpad.
* On a Mac, press ⌘ and use the mouse scroll wheel.
* On Windows/Linux, press Ctrl and use the mouse scroll wheel.

**Scrolling the PDF:**

* Use the mouse scroll wheel or a device’s trackpad.
* Up/down arrow keys scroll a whole page.
* PgUp or PgDn also scroll a whole page.
* Home key jumps to the start of a document.
* End key takes you to the end of a document.

## Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary>I can't find the PDF Viewer.</summary>

If you cannot see a split screen containing the Overleaf editor and PDF preview, or the PDF preview or Overleaf editor is hidden from view, you can use the **Layout menu** to quickly rearrange and refresh your Overleaf workspace.

**Old design:**

To restore a split screen view, select **Editor & PDF** from the Layout menu as shown below. A checkmark is placed next to the currently active option:

![The Overleaf layout menu](https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FNh01TWoudkZlP1zppMCU%2FLayoutMenuDefault2.png?alt=media\&token=141e6f8d-575c-4701-8994-c2714aed0204)

**New design:**

To restore a split screen view, select **Split view** from the Layout menu as shown below. A checkmark is placed next to the currently active option:

<div data-full-width="false"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F8MoHoLQqPyUKO0Q4vTT1%2FLayoutMenuDarkModeNewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e820b26b-7d30-44ca-8fdb-226248f198a9" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FNQou5ny6WhPreHmX1V4z%2FLayoutMenuLightModeNewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7b0f97b3-2878-47a1-9e41-ca64d3f80edf" alt="Image of layout menu located near the top right of the screen, with options Split View, Editor Only, PDF Only, and Open PDF in Separate Tab." width="353"></picture><figcaption><p>The Overleaf layout menu</p></figcaption></figure></div>

</details>

<details>

<summary>There is a "PDF Rendering" error instead of the PDF.</summary>

This problem can sometimes be caused by browser issues or network restrictions. Please see [resolving-pdf-rendering-and-project-loading-problems](https://docs.overleaf.com/troubleshooting-and-support/resolving-pdf-rendering-and-project-loading-problems "mention").

</details>

<details>

<summary>There is a LaTeX error reported instead of the PDF.</summary>

LaTeX errors can cause the PDF not to render properly, or at all. Please see [fixing-latex-errors](https://docs.overleaf.com/troubleshooting-and-support/fixing-latex-errors "mention") for suggestions on understanding and fixing LaTeX errors.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I am seeing a Compile Timeout error instead of the PDF.</summary>

There are a number of potential causes when the compile process runs longer than the available time to produce the PDF. Please see [fixing-and-preventing-compile-timeouts](https://docs.overleaf.com/troubleshooting-and-support/fixing-and-preventing-compile-timeouts "mention").

</details>