You wrote your manuscript in LaTeX and now want to send it to a freelance editor. But what’s the best way to edit LaTeX files with “track changes”? Ideally, you want to see the changes so you maintain control of the revision process.
One of the best ways to edit LaTeX with “track changes” is to create a PDF from LaTeX and ask your freelance editor to mark up the PDF using the Comments tool in Adobe Reader or Acrobat. Here are three other methods I use when clients ask me to edit LaTeX manuscripts:
Save the LaTeX file as plain text and edit it in a word processor
Send your freelance editor the LaTeX manuscript as a plain text file. They will open it with Microsoft Word or another word processor and edit it with “track changes”. The freelancer will need to be familiar with LaTeX markups to ensure they don’t change the coding. Also, they should pay attention to avoid altering the formatting of the text.
Review the MS Word file your freelance editor sends you, accept or reject the proposed changes, save the final version, and convert the document back to LaTeX.
Use a document processor that works with LaTeX files
LyX is an open source document processor that allows you to edit LaTeX with “track changes”.
To use LyX, you first have to install it on your computer and import the LaTeX file. Then, send your freelance editor the manuscript as a LyX file. Your freelance editor will also need to install LyX on their computer. This program is intuitive, and it makes it easy to track revisions, insert comments, and review changes.
Once you have the final version of your manuscript, export the LyX file as PDF or LaTeX.
I’ve been editing manuscripts in LyX for many years. I love this tool and never had any problems with it. But a few of my clients have had difficulties converting LaTeX files to LyX, so be aware that glitches may happen during file conversion.
Use an online collaborative tool that lets you edit LaTeX with “track changes”
Online LaTeX editors are great if you want real-time collaboration with your co-authors and freelance editor. My favorite LaTeX online editor is Overleaf, and I’ve been using it for many years to edit LaTeX with “track changes”. It is a popular tool among my clients who write economics papers.
Overleaf has a free plan that allows only one collaborator and three paid monthly plans. If you want your freelance editor to track changes in Overleaf, you need to pay for the Standard or Professional version. The free plan does not allow tracking changes. However, your freelance editor will not need a subscription to edit LaTeX with “track changes” in Overleaf, but only a free account.
Overleaf works in the cloud, so you don’t need to download the software on your computer. Also, you don’t need to convert LaTeX to other formats. The downside of Overleaf is that you cannot work offline, so both you and your freelance editor will need internet access while working on a LaTeX manuscript in Overleaf.
Do you have a LaTeX manuscript that needs English language editing? Send me a message at editor@languageediting.com.
Related posts:
- Things your freelance editor should tell you
- Publishing economics papers: Advice from the experts
- Why give detailed instructions to your freelance language editor
Last revised on 14 August 2022
