XeLaTeX Editor
Support
---
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is XeLaTeX Editor?
XeLaTeX Editor is a free macOS app that converts LaTeX (.tex) documents into Word (.docx), PDF, and HTML formats. It features a built-in source
editor, live preview, and bibliography support.
Is XeLaTeX Editor really free?
Yes, completely free with no in-app purchases, subscriptions, or hidden fees. All features are available from the moment you download it.
Does XeLaTeX Editor require an internet connection?
No. All conversions happen locally on your Mac. The app works entirely offline. Your documents never leave your computer.
What macOS versions are supported?
XeLaTeX Editor requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later running on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4 or later).
Does it support Intel Macs?
Currently, XeLaTeX Editor is optimized for Apple Silicon. Intel Mac support may be added in a future update.
Do I need to install LaTeX or any other software?
No. XeLaTeX Editor comes with everything bundled. You don't need to install MacTeX, Homebrew, Pandoc, or any other dependencies.
---
Conversion & Formats
What input formats are supported?
XeLaTeX Editor accepts LaTeX (.tex) files as input.
What output formats are supported?
You can export to Word (.docx), PDF, and HTML.
How do I convert a LaTeX document?
Open the app, drag and drop your .tex file (or use File > Open), then click the Convert button. Once conversion is complete, use the Export menu
to save in your preferred format.
Can I convert multiple files at once?
Yes. You can add multiple .tex files to the project sidebar and convert them all in one batch.
Does the converter preserve my LaTeX formatting?
The converter handles most standard LaTeX formatting including headings, lists, tables, bold, italic, footnotes, cross-references, and
mathematical equations. Complex custom packages may require adjustments.
How are mathematical equations handled?
Equations are converted using MathML, which provides high-quality rendering in both the HTML preview and exported documents.
Does it support custom LaTeX packages?
The converter supports standard LaTeX commands and many common packages. Highly specialized or custom packages may not be fully supported since
conversion is handled by Pandoc.
Can I convert LaTeX to Word for journal submissions?
Yes, this is one of the most common use cases. The .docx output is compatible with Microsoft Word and can be used for journal submissions that
require Word format.
---
Bibliography & Citations
Does XeLaTeX Editor support bibliographies?
Yes. You can attach BibTeX (.bib) files to your project, and citations will be processed automatically during conversion.
How do I add a bibliography file?
Click the "+" button in the sidebar or drag and drop your .bib file into the app. It will be automatically linked to your conversion.
Which citation styles are supported?
The app uses CSL (Citation Style Language) through Pandoc's citeproc, which supports thousands of citation styles including APA, MLA, Chicago,
IEEE, and many more.
Can I use multiple bibliography files?
Yes. You can attach multiple .bib files to a single project.
---
Editor & Preview
Does XeLaTeX Editor include a text editor?
Yes. The built-in source editor supports LaTeX syntax with line numbers, making it easy to view and edit your .tex files directly within the app.
What does the live preview show?
The preview panel shows an HTML rendering of your converted document, including formatted text, equations, tables, and citations. This gives you
an accurate representation of the final output.
Can I click on text in the preview to find it in the source?
Yes. The editor and preview are linked — you can navigate between the source code and the preview output.
Can I edit my LaTeX source in the app?
The built-in editor allows viewing and basic editing. For heavy editing, you may prefer your usual LaTeX editor — XeLaTeX Editor will pick up
saved changes automatically.
---
Export & Saving
Where are converted files saved?
Converted files are kept temporarily inside the app's sandbox. Use the Export button to save to any location on your Mac.
Can I choose where to save the exported file?
Yes. The Export button opens a standard Save dialog where you can choose any location and filename.
Why can't I find my converted file?
Make sure to use the Export button after conversion. The Convert button processes the document, and the Export button lets you save it to your
preferred location.
Can I export the same document to multiple formats?
Yes. After converting, use the Export menu to save as .docx, .pdf, or .html — you can export to all three formats from a single conversion.
---
PDF Export
How is PDF generated?
If XeLaTeX is available on your system (via MacTeX), the app uses it as the PDF engine for highest quality output. Otherwise, Pandoc generates
the PDF directly.
Do I need MacTeX installed for PDF export?
No. PDF export works without MacTeX. However, if MacTeX is installed, the app will use XeLaTeX for enhanced PDF quality with better font and
Unicode support.
---
Troubleshooting
The conversion failed. What should I do?
Check the Log tab in the output panel for specific error messages. Common issues include missing closing braces, undefined commands, or
unsupported packages. Fix the issues in your .tex file and try again.
My equations aren't rendering in the preview.
Make sure your equations use standard LaTeX math environments ($...$, \[...\], \begin{equation}, etc.). The preview uses MathML rendering which
supports standard LaTeX math commands.
My bibliography isn't showing up.
Verify that your .bib file is attached in the sidebar and that your .tex file contains \cite{} commands with matching citation keys. Also make
sure your .tex file includes a \bibliography{} command or appropriate bibliography setup.
The app shows "Pandoc not found."
This shouldn't happen in the App Store version since Pandoc is bundled. Try reinstalling the app. If the issue persists, contact support.
Conversion is slow for large documents.
Large documents with many equations, tables, or citations may take longer to process. The app has a 2-minute timeout per conversion. Consider
splitting very large documents into smaller sections.
Some LaTeX commands aren't being converted.
The converter supports standard LaTeX and many common packages. Custom macros defined with \newcommand are processed, but some specialized
package commands may not convert. Check the log output for specific warnings.
The Word document looks different from the preview.
The HTML preview and .docx output use different rendering engines. Minor formatting differences are expected. The .docx file is optimized for
Microsoft Word compatibility.
---
Privacy & Security
Does XeLaTeX Editor collect any data?
No. The app collects no personal data, usage analytics, or telemetry. Your documents are processed entirely on your device.
Are my documents uploaded anywhere?
No. All processing happens locally on your Mac. Your files never leave your computer.
Does the app access the internet?
The app does not make any network requests. The network capability is only used internally by the preview component for rendering content.
Is the app sandboxed?
Yes. XeLaTeX Editor runs in the macOS App Sandbox, which restricts the app's access to your system for maximum security. It can only access files
you explicitly open or save.
---
Technical Details
What powers the conversion?
XeLaTeX Editor uses Pandoc 3.9, a universal document converter, bundled directly inside the app. No external installation required.
What is Pandoc?
Pandoc is a widely-used open-source document conversion tool created by John MacFarlane. It's the industry standard for converting between markup
formats.
Does the app preprocess my LaTeX before conversion?
Yes. The app includes a LaTeX preprocessor that handles common patterns and optimizes the source for better conversion results.
What is the maximum file size supported?
There's no hard file size limit, but very large documents (hundreds of pages) may take longer to process. The conversion has a 2-minute timeout.
Can I use XeLaTeX Editor from the command line?
No. XeLaTeX Editor is a graphical application. If you need command-line conversion, consider installing Pandoc directly via Homebrew.
---
Feature Requests & Support
How do I report a bug or request a feature?
Contact us through the App Store or via the support link on our website.
Is XeLaTeX Editor open source?
The app is free but not open source. It is built on open-source tools including Pandoc.
Will there be an iOS or iPad version?
There are no current plans for an iOS version, but it may be considered in the future.
How often is the app updated?
We release updates to improve conversion quality, add features, and stay current with the latest version of Pandoc.