General ⇒ Tracing commands

[damianjb]

Hi.

Let´s say I have my tex file running with no problems and I want to change the format of a particular thing.
Are there any logical steps to follow in order to find out which are the commands handling that particular thing format? Then, I would look for information about those commands in the packages manual and change them to fit my needs.

Thanks.
Damián.

[Johannes_B]

Hi,

usually all commands you are using are explained in its package/class documentation. There you can find out how to change it to your personal needs.

[damianjb]

Hi johannes.

Maybe I´m using a package that reformat something I was not aware of. I was looking for a way to trace which commands are handling, for example, the format of the chapter title (could be anything else).

Thanks.

[Johannes_B]

Sometimes a single \show can be enough. Package trace is more verbose:

Code: Select all

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{trace}
\begin{document}
\traceon
\tableofcontents
\traceoff
\show\tableofcontents
\end{document}

You can read much more about tracing over at TeX.SX

[damianjb]

\show was exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks.