User Guide: GPT to LaTeX Converter & Previewer
The GPT to LaTeX Converter is a powerful, client-side web application designed to bridge the gap between casual note-taking and professional academic typesetting. By leveraging Google’s Gemini AI models, this tool transforms unstructured text, AI-generated reports (from ChatGPT or Claude), or rough Markdown notes into fully formatted, compilable LaTeX documents.
1. Getting Started: The API Key
Because this tool runs entirely in your browser (client-side) to ensure data privacy, it requires your own gateway to Google’s AI models.
- Obtain a Key: Click the “Get Key” link in the header to visit Google AI Studio. Create a free API key.
- Enter the Key: Paste the key into the input field at the top of the page.
- Automatic Saving: The application saves this key to your browser’s local storage, so you don’t need to re-enter it every time you refresh the page.
2. Inputting Your Content
The left-hand pane is your workspace. You can paste various types of text here:
- Raw Text: Simple paragraphs, rough notes, or copied text from a website.
- Markdown: Text using
#for headers,**for bold, or standard list formats. - LLM Outputs: Responses copied directly from ChatGPT, Gemini, or other AI assistants.
Example Input:
“Write a report on Newton’s second law. The formula is F = ma. Make sure to include a section on momentum.”
3. The Conversion Process
Once your text is ready, click the blue “Convert” button.
- AI Processing: The app sends your text to the Gemini Flash model with a specialized system prompt. This prompt instructs the AI to act as an expert typesetter, applying specific packages (
amsmath,geometry) and structuring the document logically. - Math Detection: The AI automatically detects mathematical expressions in your text and converts them into proper LaTeX syntax (e.g., converting “F = ma” to
$F = ma$).
4. Reviewing the Output
The right-hand pane offers two viewing modes, switchable via tabs:
- LaTeX Code Tab: Displays the raw source code generated by the AI. You can edit this code manually if you need to make fine-tuned adjustments.
- PDF Preview Tab: A real-time, simulated A4 page view. This does not require an external PDF compiler; instead, it uses a custom parsing engine to render the LaTeX structure as HTML.
- Math Rendering: Integrated MathJax support ensures complex equations, integrals, and matrices render beautifully.
- Tables: The previewer includes a dedicated table parser that converts LaTeX
tabularenvironments into clean, bordered visual tables.
5. Exporting Your Work
Once you are satisfied with the document, you have two export options:
- Download .tex: Clicking the “.tex” button downloads the raw source file. You can open this file in Overleaf, TeXShop, or VS Code for final compilation.
- Save PDF: Clicking “Save PDF” triggers the browser’s print engine. The app is styled specifically for printing, meaning it will hide the UI buttons and input fields, generating a clean PDF of only the A4 preview content.
6. Troubleshooting
- Empty Preview: If the preview is blank, check the “LaTeX Code” tab to ensure the AI generated valid content.
- API Errors: If conversion fails, ensure your API key is valid and has not exceeded its quota. The “Clear” button allows you to quickly reset the input and try again.
GPT to LaTeX Converter
Powered by Gemini
