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How to Align Subfigures Vertically in LaTeX

Easily Align Subfigures Vertically in LaTeX

If you have created multiple subfigures within a figure environment in LaTeX and want to display them neatly aligned vertically, this guide will show you how to do so with simple code. Aligning subfigures can be tricky, but with the right packages and commands, you can have them neatly lined up in no time. From my experience typesetting technical documents in LaTeX, subfigures are commonly used to present comparisons or variations of an image side by side. Properly aligning them is important for readability and aesthetics. Here are the top reasons users search for help with this task and the solutions to meet their needs.

Reason 1: To Organize Subfigures Effectively

The first reason users search for ways to vertically align subfigures in LaTeX is to organize multiple subcaptions and images within a larger figure environment in a neat, readable manner. Jumbled or misaligned subfigures can be visually confusing and make comparisons difficult. By using the subfigure package and commands like subcaptionbox, you can precisely position subfigures side by side or stacked on top of each other for clear presentation. The package vertically centers images and captions automatically.

Reason 2: To Standardize the Appearance

Another common goal is to standardize the vertical alignment of subfigures throughout a document for a polished, professional look. Mismatched alignments across figures can seem sloppy or unintentionally emphasize minor differences. The power of LaTeX is that formatting is consistent once defined via packages and commands. So defining the subfigure style globally ensures every instance follows suit. This “what you see is what you get” control over appearances is basically why many technical writers choose LaTeX.

Reason 3: To Save Time in the Long Run

A third motive is simply to save time – both initially laying out the document and for any required edits down the line. Manually positioning images and captions is time-consuming and error-prone. It only takes a few quick lines of code to define the subfigure style rather than meticulously fine-tuning each instance. And any additions or changes only require editing the package options rather than fiddling with placements individually. So in the sort of runs, the subfigure package pays off with consistent, easy-to-maintain alignments.

The Solution: Use the Subfigure Package

Luckily, there is a simple solution that meets all these needs – the subfigure package. By adding just a few lines of code, you can effortlessly arrange subfigures as needed. Here are the basic steps:

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  1. Include the subfigure package in the preamble with usepackage{subfigure}
  2. Enclose subfigures within a begin{figure} environment
  3. Use subfigure (or better yet, subcaptionbox) to define each subfigure with its image and caption
  4. The subfigures will automatically align vertically centered
  5. For extra control, use package options like singlelinecheck to prevent caption wrap

The subfigure environment does all the work of consistent vertical alignment in the background. Here’s a concrete example:

“`latex
begin{figure}
centering
subcaptionbox{Before Treatment}
{includegraphics[width=3cm]{before}}
subcaptionbox{After Treatment}
{includegraphics[width=3cm]{after}}
caption{Results of a Medical Trial}
end{figure}
“`

Now your subfigures will be neatly organized with minimal effort. From my experience, this is by far the easiest and most robust method in LaTeX for vertically aligning subcaptions and images within a figure.

Other Techniques for Alignment

While the subfigure package offers a solid default solution, a few other approaches exist for advanced custom alignment in LaTeX:

  1. Manually position elements using minipages and vspace adjustments
  2. For fancier layouts, explore TikZ or floatrow packages to place objects with coordinates
  3. Override default settings by redefining the internal box mechanisms
  4. As a last resort, slip out LaTeX entirely by compiling images externally and wrapping the PDF

But in most cases, the subfigure package gets the job done simply and reliably. I always resort to fancier techniques only if the defaults don’t cut it or extra design flexibility is required. Efficiency is king in technical writing!

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid

A few potential stumbling blocks exist with the subfigure package that are worth mentioning:

  1. Forgetting to load it in the preamble with usepackage
  2. Neglecting to use figure and subfigure environments together
  3. Misspelling commands like subfigure or having the wrong casing
  4. Failure to center the main figure environment can offset alignments
  5. Mixing subfigure with other incompatible float packages

But these are usually easy to troubleshoot once you realize the issue. The intuitive interface and robust documentation make the subfigure package very beginner-friendly overall. And LaTeX forums are always there if you run into problems and need extra support. Sort of, it’s amazing what a community of helpful nerds exists to solve package issues!

In Summary

In closing, the subfigure package is by far the simplest method for neatly aligning multiple subfigures vertically within a parent LaTeX figure. It gets the job done efficiently with consistent, polished results across your entire document. With just a few lines of code added to your preamble and figure environments, your multiline subfigures will automatically align perfectly every time. Hopefully this overview has shed some light on addressing the core intentions behind the common search term of “align subfigures vertically LaTeX”!

Align Subfigures Vertically in LaTeX

Command Description
subcaptionbox Uses subcaptionbox to place each subfigure in its own box and align them vertically.
begin{figure*} Wrap the subfigures in a figure* environment to make them span the whole text width.
centering Center the subfigures using the centering command.
includegraphics Include each image using the standard includegraphics command.
label{} Add labels to each subfigure to refer to them in the caption.
caption{} Write a general caption that refers to all the subfigures.

FAQ

  1. How can I align subfigures vertically in LaTeX?

    There are a number of ways to do this. Basically, you can use the subfig package and its subfloat command inside a figure environment. You would specify the vertical alignment like subfloat[][t].

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  2. What other options are there besides subfig?

    A possible alternative is to use the subcaption package, which offers similar subfigure functionality. You can align subfigures vertically with commands like subcaptionbox[t]{ for top alignment. The subcaptionbox environment works kind of like subfloat but with some differences.

  3. How else can I position subfigures?

    In addition to vertical alignment, you can align subfigures horizontally from left to right using options like [b] for bottom. The [t] and [b] parameters position subcaptions rather than the figures themselves. For finer control, consider using minipages within the figure. This gives you complete power over positioning but requires more code.

  4. What if I have multiline captions?

    If your subfigure captions wrap to multiple lines, it can interfere with vertical alignment. In that case, you may need to enclose the subfloat or subcaptionbox in a parbox to restrict the caption width. This prevents line breaks from affecting the figure placement. Alternatively, you could simplify the captions.

  5. How do I center a single subfigure?

    To center an individual subfigure rather than aligning a group, you can use LaTeX’s usual figure positioning tools. The center environment is an easy option. For a centred subfigure alone, wrap it in begin{center} … end{center} rather than relying on the subcaption/subfig mechanisms.

  6. Any other tips?

    Be aware that vertical alignment works best for subfigures of similar heights. Otherwise whitespace may be undesirable. You could consider reformatting the figures instead. It’s also wise to test alignment across different compiler runs, as results can occasionally vary a tiny bit. Overall though, subfig and subcaption make the job pretty straightforward.

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