I am using the prefix/suffix options in the formats pane. I struggle with having too little space in the line to put LaTeX code, for example especially when I would want to use option inputs to environments such as itemize.
\begin{itemize}[long list of options for my itemize list environment]
Please consider designing these input fields in such as ways as to provide more space for users to write longer (LaTeX) commands without pushing over the boundary.
The same can be said for the fields where we input LaTeX command for markup. I am for example hard pressed to edit the suffix field for Internal link prefix and suffix: in markup because I cannot find a way to see the entire field contents and/or edit it as one piece at a time.
Yes, improving these fields is something we do have on the list to look into. They should show invisible characters as well. There isn’t quite as much empty space as you might think, considering other file types have more options (RTF-based has the most), so we were thinking a button to the right of the field that opens up a larger popup field would be the best solution as it would give you way more space (horizontal as well) and you could compose freely with Enter and Tab. This approach would also keep simple entry simple, as you wouldn’t have to use the popup button to type into the field.
Meanwhile, I do the old-school way of a popup: cut and paste into a text editor, edit it, cut and paste it back in.
Glad to hear. Just a thought. Prefix/Suffix lines in LaTeX are typically added above and below the contents. The panel has plenty of room below the entry lines to put Prefix/Suffix inputs as above/below rather than left/right. Even this modest change might help in most cases (to avoid needing to use an expansion button).
Of course, LaTeX should also allow \newcommand or \newenvironment syntax to shorten longer inputs. So instead of \begin{itemize}[long list …], one could define an environment with the desired settings and simply do \begin{MyItemize}.
The problem with this idea, if I understand it correctly, is that this isn’t a LaTeX configuration panel, but rather a general purpose plain-text panel which can be used to generate all manner of markup, including those that traditionally, or even necessarily, would be left/right, like YAML, JSON or XML. This is also why line breaks are not implied in the output.
I think from your screen shot that you’re using the Mac version. If not, apologies, but hopefully this will be useful for anybody who is…
I was reading an article on the new features in Sequoia and there was something in there which may help the problem of small text boxes as a workaround.
There’s a new feature in Accessibility called ‘Hover Type’ – at least I think it’s new! – which adapts the old Accessibility Zoom feature for when you’re typing, as well as reading text, by providing an extra very large text box. As will all the accessibility features, it’s called with cmd-opt-F5, once it’s enabled, you put the cursor into the box, press the shortcut, and you suddenly have a lot more room to type.
It’s an annoying feature to have on permanently, so you’ll want to toggle it off again quickly, but as a workaround for your problem, it could be helpful.
You can’t take a screenshot of it in action, unfortunately, so I’ve recorded a quick movie of it:
The setting is in System Settings > Accessibility > Hover Text > Hover Typing – click on the i button to change the size / location of the popup. Enabling / disabling is best done with the cmd-opt-F5 shortcut.
Exactly what is triggered by cmd-opt-F5 is determined under System Settings > Accessibility > Shortcut.
As I said, I think this is new in Sequoia: it looks a useful feature for the ‘too-small’ entry field problem… Worth having a look, anyway.
