LaTeX in Freeplane

Freeplane 1.2.x supports LaTeX formulae in boxes underneath nodes while Freeplane 1.3.x deprecates those boxes and adds LaTeX directly to node contents. Please see the relevant subsections below.

Thanks to the excellent JLaTeXMath!

LaTeX Formulae in Freeplane 1.2.x

This type of LaTeX formulae in Freeplane is deprecated in Freeplane 1.3.x (the formula boxes will still be displayed and can be edited but you can't add new boxes)! Please see the 1.3.x section below if you're using Freeplane >= 1.3.1.

• you can add a LaTeX formula to a node by running Edit->Node Extensions->Add LaTeX formula...
• you can edit a LaTeX formula related to a node by running Edit->Node Extensions->Edit LaTeX formula...
• you can remove a LaTeX formula by selecting Edit->Node Extensions->Remove LaTeX formula OR by using Edit->Node Extensions->Edit LaTeX formula... and specifying an empty text.
• by default the LaTeX interpreter is in math mode
• does not support automatic linebreaks

Example:

x_2=\frac{1}{2}

LaTeX Text+Formulae in Freeplane >= 1.3.1

This feature is included in the 1.3.1 alpha release.

• LaTeX text is displayed inline in node content (as opposed to underneath nodes in 1.2.x)
• You can tell Freeplane to treat a node as LaTeX text by either:
  • using a "\latex " prefix
  • View->Properties panel, then Core text->Format->LaTeX
• by default the LaTeX interpreter is in text mode, so you need to use $...$ for (inline) formulae
• automatic linebreaks are supported
• The editor supports LaTeX syntax highlighting

Example:

 \latex my formula: $x_2=\frac{1}{2}$

Commmon/global LaTeX Macros

Starting with 1.3.5_05, Freeplane has a textbox in preferences->Plugins->LaTeX that allows you to enter code (usually macros) that will be inserted into every LaTeX node before the actual node content. Be aware though, that using this means that your map will only be readable by someelse if he/she also includes the macros in his/her config!

Combination of LaTeX and Groovy formulas

Here's how to format formula results as LaTeX:

1. Set node format to LaTeX.
2. Let your formula generate LaTeX code.

Example (copy 'n paste it into a map)

 ="\\LaTeX: \$\\sum_{children} = ${children.sum(0)}\$"
   2
   3
   4

Note that LaTeX symbol '\' has to be doubled in a double quoted string and that a $ have to be escaped with a single '\' to prevent Groovy from interpreting it as the prefix of a variable.

Known Problems

• Array environments are maximized on the maximum node width
• align=right and align=center does not work well

Feedback

Please give us feedback on the 1.3.x solution:

• How do you like the ways to treat a node as LaTeX?
• What do you think about the way we deprecate the 1.2.x formulae?
• Are you missing a feature in JLaTeXMath or JLaTeXMath integration?
• How do you like the syntax highlighting?