Text Formatting ⇒ ^ in text mode.

[Laurentius]

Can we redefine ^ such that, if in math mode, it behaves normally; but, if in text mode, it: (1) enters math mode; (2) does ^ w/ argument; (3) exits math mode?

[Johannes_B]

No. Your favourite text editor will help you there.

[Stefan Kottwitz]

You could define ^ to be an active character which works like a command, but it cannot change the source code.

As Johannes said, your editor may have an auto-completion feature which can be used. Which editor are you using?

There's also the free and open source program autohotkey, which can be used for such a purpose and for many more.

Stefan

[cgnieder]

You can make it active and then make something like this:

Code: Select all

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}

\catcode`\^=13
\newcommand*^[1]{\ensuremath{\sp{#1}}}

A^3 $A^3$

\end{document}

I have no idea if this has the potential to break anything, though. Usage on your own risk

Regards

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Nice, Clemens!

Another challenge would be supporting A^33, so putting in braces until the next space, punctuation, or delimiter character.

Stefan

[Johannes_B]

I really cannot recommend doing this, the editor is the way to go.

[cgnieder]

Another challenge would be supporting A^33, so putting in braces until the next space, punctuation, or delimiter character.

Probably doable if the specs (What should serve as delimiter, what shouldn't? Should category codes be taken into account?) are clear. But there are a lot of questions: should the following space be put back into the input stream? Or shouldn't it? What, if I want to typeset A^3B (and not A^{3B} or A^3 B…?)

But actually I don't think the usage would be easier then: right now the behaviour is clear the next token or brace delimited group serves as argument just like with every other LaTeX command.

Actually I can't remember when I ever wanted to use A$^{3}$ (text+math superscript) at all. Does anyone have an example where such usage makes sense?

Regards