Getting Started

Learn the basics of using TeXnicCenter to create professional LaTeX documents.

1
Create a New Project
Set up your first LaTeX project

When you launch TeXnicCenter, go to File → New Project or press Ctrl+Shift+N.

  1. Choose a location for your project files
  2. Enter a name for your main .tex file
  3. Select a document template (Article, Report, Book, etc.)
  4. Click OK to create your project
2
Configure Your LaTeX Distribution
Set up the compiler settings

If this is your first time using TeXnicCenter, you'll need to configure it to work with your LaTeX installation.

  1. Go to Build → Define Output Profiles
  2. The wizard will search for your LaTeX installation automatically
  3. Verify the paths are correct (usually C:\Program Files\MiKTeX or similar)
  4. Select your preferred output format (LaTeX → PDF is recommended)
  5. Configure your PDF viewer if needed
3
Write Your Document
Add content to your LaTeX file

Start writing your document using LaTeX commands. Here's a simple example:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}

\title{My First Document}
\author{Your Name}
\date{\today}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\section{Introduction}
This is my first LaTeX document created 
with TeXnicCenter.

\section{Main Content}
LaTeX is great for creating professional 
documents with mathematical formulas like 
$E = mc^2$.

\end{document}
4
Build Your Document
Compile your LaTeX to PDF

Once you've written your content, compile it to create a PDF:

  1. Select the output profile from the dropdown (LaTeX → PDF)
  2. Click the Build button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+F7
  3. Check the Output tab for any errors or warnings
  4. Click View Output or press F5 to see your PDF
Need More Help?

If you're stuck or have questions, check out the full documentation, our FAQ page or visit the Community & Support section to connect with other TeXnicCenter users.