Tips to open TEX file

Can't open the TEX file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open TEX files as well as a list of programs that support TEX files.

TEX file extension

File Name LaTeX Source Document
File Category Text Files

The TEX file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the TEX files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the TEX file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is TEX file?

A .TEX file is a text document written in LaTeX. It is more precisely a code. In addition to the standard text, it contains tags describing the defined appearances of individual elements. This approach has been used mainly in scientific and technical environments. People who use such a solution indicate that it is much faster and more consistent than using conventional text editors. .TEX files can also be saved as .LTX and require compilation before final release.

How to open TEX file?

An often recurring problem with LaTeX Source Document is that TEX is not associated with the correct program file. This is manifested by the fact that TEX files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the TEX file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install LyX/Mac

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that LyX/Mac is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name LyX/Mac into the system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below you will find a list of applications that support TEX files.

Step 2. Create association of LyX/Mac with TEX files

If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the TEX file still does not use the LyX/Mac program, it means no association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. It may happen that in the next window there will be no appropriate program - however, this can be corrected with the "Browse" option where you should manually indicate the program location. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the LyX/Mac application as the default for handling the TEX file.

Step 3. Update LyX/Mac to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the LyX/Mac program, it is possible that LaTeX Source Document requires a newer version of the program.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the TEX file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. File problems can be divided into the following:

The TEX file may be unusually small compared to the original file. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the TEX file. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. Some antivirus vendors also provide free online scanners. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the TEX file that we want to open. However, remember that not every infected TEX file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
Older version of TEX file may not always be supported by the latest software version. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged TEX files.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file TEX except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. If possible, you can try to move the TEX file to another location.
This problem usually affects more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Just close unnecessary programs. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the TEX file again. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If this does not work either, restart the device.