cross-reference chapter title from different file

Question

My dissertation is several chapters, each written in a different .tex file. How can I reference the chapter number from one chapter in the text of another? For example, how would I produce

'... will be discussed more thoroughly in chapter 3.'

where '3' is dynamically generated based on its order in the list of chapters included (using \include) in the master file?

Answer 1

Just do it! This is how my thesis is organised. In each separate chapter file, start with something like

\chapter{Introduction}
\label{chap:intro}

Then in your next chapter you just do \ref{chap:intro}

By the way, you might want to check out the import package: I have each chapter in a subdirectory and the figures for each chapter in their own subdirectories. import and in particular the command subimport makes it all much neater.

Answer 2

I just use \input not \include then you can compile one document with all cross references and a correct list of references. If you need to compile only that chapter you can use make a chapter specific file like the main thesis file but eliminate the other chapters (comment out). You can also reset the chapter counter if you want for providing to your advisor and such. See Input vs Include Discussion for more information