On Sun, Apr 13 2025, Karthik Chikmagalur <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Q: Why does `org-latex-preview' not work on blocks like:
>>>
>>> #+begin_export latex
>>> \begin{equation}
>>> x^2 + y^2 = z^2
>>> \end{equation}
>>> #+end_export
>>>
>>> I use these blocks to take advantage of syntax highlighting (and it is
>>> quicker to write than not including the export block around the latex).
>>>
>>> Shouldn't `org-latex-preview' work on such blocks?
>>
>> Maybe. I do not see why not.
>> Karthik, what do you think?
>
> org-latex-preview only previews Org elements of type `latex-fragment' or
> `latex-environment'. Export blocks are not elements of this type, so
> they are skipped. This is consistent with the current behavior of
> org-latex-preview.
I don't see why latex export blocks are not also include.
>
>>> I use these blocks to take advantage of syntax highlighting
>
> For syntax highlighting in LaTeX environments you can use
>
> (setq org-highlight-latex-and-related '(native))
Ok, thanks, that works nicely. Why isn't that the default?
>
>>> (and it is quicker to write than not including the export block
>>> around the latex).
>
> I don't understand how this can be faster if it involves typing more
> text. Could you explain?
Due to various conveniences, it means typing about 2/3 less. Consider
C-c C-, l ;; insert a latex export block
C-c C-' ;; open an editing buffer
C-c C-e ;; select an environment
al TAB * RET
versus
\begin{align*} ;; insert literal text
\end{align*} ;; insert literal test
C-p ;; back-up a line
C-c C-' ;; enter edit buffer
By my count, the first costs 12 combined keystrokes and the second costs
27+3=30.
Now that you have asked me to explain, I realized that I could:
- define a bunch of abbreviations for the most commonly-used
environments and save even more typing; or
- simply type M-x latex-in-b RET al TAB * RET which would cost 17
keystrokes; or
- play around with keymaps so that I access the `latex-insert-block'.
So this observation is really about my work-style, and why I prefer to
use export latex blocks.
The question about why export latex blocks are not available for preview
remains.
Leo
