Copying a symbol from latexhelp is extremly annoying

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  • Thread starter Addez123
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In summary: Find a symbol you wish to use, such as \Psi\phiIn summary, the annoying notice in LaTeX help is due to the fact that the symbols are written in a style called "CSS". This means that you can't copy and paste them as is, but need to use the "show math as" option in your browser to view the equation properly.
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  • #2
##\Psi## seems to work fine ?

But what can you do without being logged in ?##\ ##
 
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  • #3
Addez123 said:
1. Go to: https://www.physicsforums.com/help/latexhelp/
WITHOUT being logged in.

2. Find a symbol you wish to use, such as \Psi

3. Then copy it and paste it into your equation

4. Voila! You ruined your entire document with this monstrocity
Two options:
1) Learn the Greek alphabet. (The simplest solution, but perhaps a little time consuming.)

2) Try this site. (A more practical option.) You can write your code and copy and paste from there.

-Dan
 
  • #4
Yeah, I hate websites that do this. (Sorry @Greg Bernhardt , I do!)

Instead of adding a reference as they do here, some websites even block copying entirely, so you have to open the Developer Tools of your browser to copy, directly from the HTML, the text you want. Some even block the right-click as well, so you have to go into the browser menu to open the Developer Tools.

The worst I have seen was one that sent images as an assembled puzzle. The images you saw were in reality 9 smaller images stitched together such that when you click on it and try to save it, you were only saving part of the image. Guess what? A Print Screen still does the trick to copy the image!

In the end, webmasters can never control the user's browsers, you can just annoy them (and not only the ones that you want to annoy). Once you sent the info to your users, they have it and can do whatever they want with it.
 
  • #5
topsquark said:
Learn the Greek alphabet. (The simplest solution, but perhaps a little time consuming.)
Keeping in mind that I am neither going for nor against the OP, how will one read out equations or remember them without knowing what Greek letter it is? It is not really possible to proceed in physics without knowing the Greek alphabet. Therefore, by the time one is using ##\LaTeX##, it is expected that they will know the Greek alphabet.
 
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  • #6
The equations are built with CSS. Your browser copy and paste don't work like that. Instead, right-click the equation and choose "show math as" or "copy to clipboard".
 
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  • #7
Greg Bernhardt said:
The equations are built with CSS. Your browser copy and paste don't work like that. Instead, right-click the equation and choose "show math as" or "copy to clipboard".
Oh. Thanks Greg. I never knew you could do "show math as".
 
  • #8
Greg Bernhardt said:
The equations are built with CSS. Your browser copy and paste don't work like that. Instead, right-click the equation and choose "show math as" or "copy to clipboard".
I think what the OP refers to is the added sentence "Reference: https://www.physicsforums.com/help/latexhelp/" to anything you copy on the website (when you are not logged in). Let me copy the first sentence of your post and paste it into the following quote:
The equations are built with CSS.
Now I open this same thread in another browser where I'm not logged in PF and copy the same sentence and paste it in the following quote:
Imagine when you only want to copy the text \Phi and paste it into a latex equation with this added [annoying] notice.
 
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  • #9
Addez123 said:
Find a symbol you wish to use, such as \Psi

Addez123 said:
\phi
I too would be very annoyed if I copied the LaTeX for ##\Psi## (##\Psi##), but got this one, ##\phi## (##\phi##), instead.
 
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FAQ: Copying a symbol from latexhelp is extremly annoying

Why is copying a symbol from latexhelp considered extremely annoying?

Copying a symbol from latexhelp can be annoying because the website may have complex formatting or interactive elements that make it difficult to select and copy the desired symbol accurately. Additionally, the symbols might be embedded in a way that doesn't allow for straightforward copying and pasting.

Are there any tools or extensions that can help with copying symbols from latexhelp?

Yes, there are browser extensions and tools like "MathJax Copy" or "LaTeX It!" that can help in copying LaTeX symbols more easily. These tools are designed to recognize and convert LaTeX code into a more copy-friendly format.

Is there a way to simplify the process of copying symbols from latexhelp?

One way to simplify the process is to use the inspect element feature in your browser to directly access the LaTeX code for the symbol. This can bypass the formatting issues and allow you to copy the raw code directly.

What are some alternative resources for copying LaTeX symbols more easily?

Alternative resources include websites like Detexify, Codecogs, and Overleaf, which offer user-friendly interfaces for finding and copying LaTeX symbols. These platforms are often designed with ease of use in mind, making the process less frustrating.

How can I avoid common pitfalls when copying symbols from latexhelp?

To avoid common pitfalls, ensure that you are in the correct mode for copying (e.g., text mode rather than interactive mode), use browser tools to inspect and copy the underlying LaTeX code, and consider using dedicated LaTeX editors or symbol search engines that simplify the process.

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