Text Formatting ⇒ \partopsep vs \topsep

[LaTexLearner]

Quick question:

I'm making lists using enumitem. What is the difference between \partopsep and \topsep? I've been fiddling around with it on overleaf.com and don't quite get it...

[cgnieder]

Both are list parameters.

• \topsep the rubber space between the first item of a list and the preceding paragraph.
• \partopsep an extra rubber space which is added to \topsep when the list environment starts a new paragraph.

A rubber space is a length which can contain shrinkable and stretchable parts.

[LaTexLearner]

How would a list not start a new paragraph? Do you mean the kinds of lists that are inline with the rest of the text? (Not that I have much knowledge or experience with those.)

[cgnieder]

It depends if the list preceded with a blank line (or a \par) or not. Compare

Code: Select all

Here is some text
\begin{itemize}
  \item and a list \emph{not} starting a paragraph

with

Code: Select all

Here is some text

\begin{itemize}
  \item and a list starting a paragraph