Fix text editor problems

Text editor problems are usually about the source rather than the editor, which is good news: the error message points at the line.

The exceptions are a language an administrator has disabled, and the usual browser-level causes.


#What this is for

  • A preview that shows an error instead of a diagram.

  • A language missing from the list.

  • An editor that will not load at all.


#How it works

Action

How

Preview shows an error

Read the line number. Compare against the worked example on the language's reference page.

Wrong language

A parse error with no line often means the source is being read as another language.

Language missing

An administrator may have turned it off; TikZ is off by default.

Nothing renders at all

Hard reload, then a private window to rule out extensions.

Very large source

Generated sources can exceed the render limits. Filter before pasting.


#A few things that catch people out

  • The error usually names the line, and it is usually right, except in TikZ where TeX errors point one line late.

  • If the preview renders and the page does not, that is worth reporting.

  • Broader symptoms are in Troubleshooting.



The source is right there. Read it.