How to write thesis in latex Overleaf? *2026 Full tutorial* | FREE Overleaf template

Main ideas / lessons (what the video teaches)

• What LaTeX and Overleaf are

  • LaTeX is a markup language used for composing scientific documents (similar in concept to HTML).
  • Overleaf is an online collaborative platform where you write documents using LaTeX.

• How to plan a thesis before writing

  • Build a clear thesis structure (front matter, main matter, back matter).
  • Use consistent page numbering rules (Roman numerals vs Arabic numerals).
  • Keep the thesis organized with a modular file structure.

• How to implement the structure in Overleaf

  • Use Overleaf templates (especially university-specific thesis templates) to save time.
  • Set the correct document class (e.g., “report” instead of “article” for thesis-like formatting).
  • Use Overleaf’s auto-recompile to immediately update changes.

• How to write typical thesis components

  • Preliminary pages: title page, dedication, abstract/summary, acknowledgments, index/general index, list of figures, list of tables, acronyms.
  • Main body: chapters (numbered) and appendices (as needed).
  • Back matter: bibliography + optional appendices.

• How to add common academic elements

  • Figures and tables (including sizing and placement control).
  • Citations and bibliography workflow using BibTeX.
  • Equations, equation referencing, inline math, equation labels.
  • Hyperlinks and footnotes.
  • Acronym definition and usage.

• How to customize the cover page

  • Create a separate file (e.g., titlepage.tex / title.tex) and insert it into the main document.

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Step-by-step methodology / “instructions” presented

1) Understand the thesis structure (planning)

• Create a front matter (preliminary) section with pages that:

  • typically include: title page, dedication, summary/abstract, acknowledgments
  • usually have no section numbering
  • use lowercase Roman numerals for page numbers

• Create an index/table system:

  • Table of contents
  • List of figures
  • List of tables

• Add acronyms page:

  • especially for STEM theses with many abbreviations

• Create the main body:

  • include your chapters (commonly 3–6 depending on thesis size)
  • include acronyms, appendix content as required by the template you follow
  • use Arabic numerals for page numbering

• Add bibliography:

  • bibliography entries in alphabetical order
  • generally stored in a .bib file

• Add appendix(es) if needed:

  • may be a single appendix or multiple (A, B, C, etc.)

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2) Use Overleaf and pick a template

• Go to Overleaf and create a new project:

  • New Project → Blank Project

• Alternatively, use Overleaf template library:

  • find a thesis template matching your university (example shown: “Queen’s thesis template”)
  • choose a relevant format, then Open as Template

• Ensure the document class is appropriate:

  • select report for a thesis-like format (rather than article)
  • set institution-required font size (example used: 12pt)

• Keep automatic rebuild/recompile enabled.

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3) Create a modular LaTeX project layout (file/folder organization)

• Keep the main driver file separate:

  • main.tex (main body / central include file)

• Put text content into multiple .tex files:

  • preliminary pages handled in main.tex body (dedication/summary/etc.)
  • chapters as separate files:
    • example: chapter1.tex, chapter2.tex, chapter3.tex
  • optional appendices:
    • example: AppendixA.tex

• Create supporting files:

  • bibliography as a .bib file (not a .tex)

• Create folders for assets:

  • figures/ folder to store images
  • reference figures by folder path

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4) Build the front matter correctly (numbering and TOC/index inclusion)

• Use commands like chapter with an asterisk to avoid numbering:

  • \chapter*{Dedication}-style approach (conceptually)

• For preliminary pages, ensure:

  • page numbering uses lowercase Roman numerals
  • they appear in the general index/TOC only when explicitly included

• Manually add preliminary pages to the table/index if needed:

  • using a command similar to \addcontentsline{TOC}{...}{...}
  • concept: dedication/summary/acknowledgments must be explicitly added to TOC/index

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5) Create and populate the acronyms section

• Create a dedicated acronyms file (example: acronyms.tex).
• Define/accommodate acronym formatting using the proper acronym package (as mentioned in the template).
• Wrap acronym listing in the acronym environment:
  • start and end the acronym environment properly to avoid errors
• Add acronym entries using an acronym command (example style shown):
  • acronym short form: ALMA
  • full form: Atacama Large Millimeter Telescope
  • another example: RAM = Random Access Memory
• Usage rule:
  • in the main text, use the acronym short form (e.g., ALMA)
  • ensure it matches how it was declared

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6) Insert figures (placement + sizing)

• Store images in figures/ folder.

• In the chapter .tex file:

  • use a figure environment
  • include \includegraphics{...} conceptually
  • add caption and label

• Placement control:

  • [...] placement option h = “here”
  • if it doesn’t fit, adjust width/height (example values discussed)
  • t = “top” (if h fails, it moves to top/next page)

• If default placement is wrong:

  • use the float package and the capital H option to force placement more strictly
  • workflow shown:
    • try normal placement → if LaTeX moves it → use H to place it exactly after the intended paragraph

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7) Create tables (single and multi-column/row)

• Use a table environment.
• Use column specifiers:
  • c for centered columns
  • vertical bars | for borders
• Add header row:
  • column names separated with &
  • end row with a line break conceptually (like \\)

• Use \hline for horizontal rules (top/between rows).

• For complex tables:

  • use multirow / multicolumn commands as needed
  • example concept:
    • part A spanning two rows
    • part B spanning two columns

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8) Add citations with BibTeX (Google Scholar → BibTeX → cite)

• Find an academic source (example flow):
  • search in Google Scholar using DOI/title/author name
  • click Quote
  • select BibTeX
• Copy the resulting BibTeX entry into bibliography.bib.
• Cite in the thesis using citation commands:
  • basic cite command shown (conceptually \cite{key})
  • citation format customization:
    • use citep when you want author names in parentheses
  • multiple authors shown as multiple keys separated accordingly.
• Result:
  • bibliography updates automatically and references appear in the bibliography section.

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9) Write equations and reference them

• Display equations:

  • use an equation environment
  • LaTeX auto-centers and auto-numbers

• Inline math:

  • wrap with $ ... $

• Referencing:

  • assign a label to an equation
  • reference it later using a ref command (example results: equation number like “1.1”)

• Hyperlinking and navigation:

  • chapter references can be clickable/hyperlinked automatically via the template setup (as described).

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10) Add hyperlinks and footnotes

• Hyperlink:

  • use href with:
    • URL
    • displayed link text
  • opening in a new tab is described.

• Footnote:

  • use footnote{ ... }
  • include hyperlink inside the footnote.

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11) Customize a cover page (title page)

• Create a new cover/title file (example: titlepage.tex or title.tex).
• Remove/disable the default make title command from the template if it shows the unwanted default title.

• In main.tex, include the custom title page file:

  • insert it into the document body around where title pages appear.

• Inside the title page environment:

  • center content
  • print:
    • thesis title (uppercase/larger font shown)
    • author name
    • university details + address line(s)
  • add vertical spacing using vspace (institution formatting may vary).

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Sources / speakers featured (identified)

• Speaker: The video narrator/creator (individual not named in the subtitles).
• Institutions referenced (contextual examples):
  • Queen’s University (example thesis template shown)
• Individuals referenced:
  • Professor Laura Feissel (example supervisor used for citation demonstration)
  • Park Sheet (example author name used when constructing a custom cover page)
• Tools/platforms referenced:
  • Overleaf (platform)
  • Google Scholar (for finding citations and exporting BibTeX)