# Control the dots separation in math and text

I know how to control the spacing of the \textellipsis command. But I can't figure it out how to do so globally in all the versions of mathtools' \*dots.

My idea is to use a global symbol … to use \dots (in math mode) or \textellipsis (in text mode).

## How can I change the default spacing in ALL dots commands?

I want smaller separation between them (but the same in all of them). Here's a minimal working example.

\documentclass{scrartcl}

\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\usepackage{newunicodechar}

\newunicodechar{…}{\dots}

\DeclareTextCommandDefault{\textellipsis}{%
.\kern.35\fontdimen3\font
.\kern.35\fontdimen3\font
.\kern.35\fontdimen3\font}

\begin{document}
…a...a{\textellipsis}a…a$…=…=a\times…\times a$
\end{document}


By the way, shouldn't the definition of \textellipsis look more like this?

\DeclareTextCommandDefault{\textellipsis}{%
.\kern.35\fontdimen3\font
.\kern.35\fontdimen3\font
.}%\kern.35\fontdimen3\font}


## Update

After posting here I started to see ellipsis package everywhere (until now I “never hear of it” but now it's everywhere :P). Which redefines the \textellipsis in a more convenient way (and takes in account something similar to my last definition of \textellipsis). But, still, doesn't solve the problem with math \dots.

In math mode three different varieties of dots are used:

1. \dotsb@, defined as

\mathinner{\cdotp\cdotp\cdotp}


for centered dots;

2. \@cdots, defined in the same way, but it's a different macro, for dots between integral signs;

3. \@ldots, that expands to the kernel's \mathellipsis, that is

\mathinner{\ldotp\ldotp\ldotp}


If you want to change the spacing, you have to redefine all three macros.

For instance, you might want to add some negative kerning:

\renewcommand{\dotsb@}{%
\mathinner{\cdotp\mkern-1mu\cdotp\mkern-1mu\cdotp}%
}


Why is there a kern also after the final period in \textellipsis? It's the American usage.

• Great. By the way, instead of \cdotp\mkern-1mu I think {\cdotp}\kern.35\fontdimen3\font would be better to be “coherent”. American usage, well if I don't want that, then there is no problem with redefining all those commands \dotsb@, \@cdots, \@ldots, and \textellipsis without the last kern? Or is there something I should be aware of? – Manuel Mar 29 '14 at 16:01
• @Manuel You're right, the last kern is not needed. However, \mathinner adds a thin space on both sides in display and text style. – egreg Mar 29 '14 at 16:06