Below are a few guides and videos to help you as you format your thesis.
* To view the videos, first login to LinkedIn Learning with your NetID and password. Then navigate back to this page and click on the video links.
Learn how to insert page numbers and edit them.
Microsoft Word does not automatically detect misspellings in words in all CAPS. To fix this, try some of the techniques below.
Changing the capitalization or case of text (good for a quick spelling check)
Word for PC Word for Mac
Changing the default to always check words in all CAPS
Follow the instructions outlined on this page to access the "options" panel and uncheck the box "Ignore words in UPPERCASE"
Using heading styles will help you make sure your headings are consistently formatted and help you set up your table of contents.
Learn how to create and update a table of contents using heading styles.
If you would rather manually create your table of contents, learn how to set leader dots.
Learn how to change a document from Word or LaTeX to PDF.
Learn how to change the paper size of your thesis to be 8.5 x 11.
If your thesis stretches over multiple PDF files, learn how to compile the files into one document.
Thesis Resources
The Thesis Office thesis@illinois.edu (217) 333-6278
Word Support
LaTeX Support
Introduction to LaTeX: resource prepared by a UIUC alum with strategies for preparing a document in LaTeX.
Comprehensive TEX Archive Network: search and download LaTeX distributions and functionality-enhancing packages
LaTeX Community and TeX-LaTeX Stackexchange: two sites where you can consult with experts around the world
LaTeX Project: introduction to LaTeX with helpful links
MikTeX: one of the most popular and successful LaTeX distributions
Overleaf: use LaTeX with an easy web-based GUI and great collaboration tools