How can I improve my formatting skills in PF?

[sherrellbc]

I always have such a hard time trying to figure out the formatting on this forum. I have seen many people use shortcuts, as in '##' before phrases to bold and italicize them, while others use the latex style. Is there a tutorial posted somewhere?

Also, one of the most frustrating problems I have had is that, once I get some decent formatting for a post, when I edit, or otherwise try to adjust some formatting or phrasing, after I repost all the formatting is gone and all the syntax shows (as in [\tex] .. etc )

What is the trick?

 

[Drakkith]

I type in the box and use the options above it.

 

[micromass]

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=617567

 

[Adyssa]

Also, one of the most frustrating problems I have had is that, once I get some decent formatting for a post, when I edit, or otherwise try to adjust some formatting or phrasing, after I repost all the formatting is gone and all the syntax shows (as in [\tex] .. etc )

What is the trick?

When you edit a page and then submit your edits, the page doesn't actually refresh, it's just AJAX refreshing your post, so I don't think the TEX formatter gets a chance to parse your pretty maths. If you do a page refresh (hit F5, or press the refresh button in your browser at right side of the address bar if you use Firefox) you'll see your TEX is OK.

 

[dipole]

Also, one of the most frustrating problems I have had is that, once I get some decent formatting for a post, when I edit, or otherwise try to adjust some formatting or phrasing, after I repost all the formatting is gone and all the syntax shows (as in [\tex] .. etc )

What is the trick?

This is a bug and only shows up on your own screen. For anyone else, as long as the syntax is correct, the formatting will be displayed properly. You just have to refresh the page and then it'll properly render the equations again.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

This is a bug and only shows up on your own screen. For anyone else, as long as the syntax is correct, the formatting will be displayed properly. You just have to refresh the page and then it'll properly render the equations again.

Quick editing is processed by AJAX and it does not refresh the entire page which is needed for the revised MathJax code to be reprocessed.

 

[dipole]

Quick editing is processed by AJAX and it does not refresh the entire page which is needed for the revised MathJax code to be reprocessed.

I believe it happens with or without quick-editing though. Also the latex code isn't processed at all and shows up as plain text.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I believe it happens with or without quick-editing though. Also the latex code isn't processed at all and shows up as plain text.

Advanced editing will refresh the page and will run the MathJax script. Unless I don't understand the issue being discussed.

 

[Drakkith]

Wow, now that I re-read the OP's post when I'm not dead tired I realize they were having a problem. I feel like an *** for my answer now lol.