Information adapted from Overleaf and Authorea documentation.
What are Overleaf and Authorea?
Overleaf and Authorea are both web-based, real-time collaborative writing and publishing platforms. Both platforms allow for editing in both a rich text editor or in a LaTeX editor.
What can Overleaf and Authorea help you do?
- Write in a rich text, WYSIWYG editor
- Write in a LaTeX editor if you prefer more typesetting control or frequently write mathematics or scientific documents
- Share with collaborators
- Include images in your work
- Import from Zotero, Mendeley, or other citation management tools
- Use tools such as commenting, version history, spellcheck, pdf download, and Git integration
- Learn how to author different document types from tutorials and videos available on both sites
How do you get it?
Overleaf and Authorea are used in your browser. You can make free accounts at overleaf.com or authorea.com.
What else should you know?
Authorea offers a markdown editing option as well as the ability to write in HTML and Javascript. It has a one click citation function that allows you to search for articles by DOI or with free text. IPython notebooks and plots from D3.js can be included in your documents. It provides content templates for some journals, grant proposals and reports, and conferences. Authorea also allows you to export your work into multiple different final formats. With a free account on Authorea, you can only author one private (only available to you and your collaborators) article, all other articles are publicly viewable via your profile and the articles page. Other account types are available via annual plans.
Overleaf allows you to edit on your tablet and phone as well as your personal computer. It also has an integrated submissions system that allows you to submit to some partner publishers, journals, & services. Overleaf has multiple pre-built templates to author different types of materials including posters, presentations, books, homework assignments, theses, resumes, and more. Overleaf also has a limited free account version in which you are allowed to have up to 1 GB of storage space and 60 files per project. Other account types are available via annual plans.
As always, be sure to read security policies, privacy policies, and terms of service prior to joining to ensure that you are comfortable with how your work and data is stored and handled.