# Trouble with the showkeys package

I am using showkeys package in LaTeX so my labels inside  math statements show up. Usually  does not show any numbering, I both want to use , and numbering, this was the only solution I could find.

In any case, with showkeys, the label numbers show up in little squares. Is there a way to change that square into parens, or maybe brackets?

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## migrated from stackoverflow.comNov 29 '11 at 0:25

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Welcome to TeX.SE. It is always best to compose a fully compilable MWE that illustrates the problem including the \documentclass and the appropriate packages so that those trying to help don't have to recreate it. –  Peter Grill Nov 29 '11 at 0:26
The standard ways to number equations is to put them into an $$...$$ environment. The showkeys package is for debugging purposes (or drafts) only. Maybe you should read some of the sources mentioned in the mathmode tag wiki. –  Alan Munn Nov 29 '11 at 0:31
ok it works now. –  user423805 Nov 29 '11 at 0:45

If you want equation numbering use:

$$e = m c^2$$


Using equation* (which requires amsmath package) instead will disable the equation numbering.

To adjust the appearance of the label from the showkeys, you can redefine the \showkeyslabelformat macro:

\renewcommand*\showkeyslabelformat[1]{\normalfont\small\ttfamily(#1)}

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equation* is available only when amsmath has been loaded. –  egreg Nov 29 '11 at 0:35
@egreg: Thanks. Have added that. I really should follow my own advice and not post code snippets!! :-) –  Peter Grill Nov 29 '11 at 0:42
\\renewcommand worked. –  user423805 Nov 29 '11 at 0:46
@user423805 Don't use showkeys for numbering equations. It's for a completely different purpose. –  egreg Nov 29 '11 at 7:25
@user423805 For having an automatic number you've to use $$...$$. If you load amsmath, then \tag{...} inserts a "handmade" number also in $...$. –  egreg Nov 29 '11 at 22:08