# Fixing overfull \vbox

With the code:

$$A=\msq{\mat{ccccc} 2 & -1 & & \multi[2][2]{\Huge{0}} \\ -1& 2 & -1 \\ & \ddots & \ddots & \ddots \\ \multi[2][2]{\Huge{0}} & \ddots & \ddots & \ddots \\ & & & -1 & 2 \emat}.$$


I get:

Overfull \vbox (6.0pt too high) detected at line 45

Overfull \vbox (6.0pt too high) detected at line 45


where the code ends at line 45. How can I fix that?

NB \multi is as in Problem with abbreviation of \multirow and \multicolumn (LaTeX), \msq is \msq{#1}=\left[\!\!\!\!#1\!\!\!\!\right] and \mat=\begin{array}, \emat=end{array}.

• Is this at the bottom of the page? What is \multi and \emat? Have you seen Why is $$ preferable to $$?? Instead of a code snippet like this, it is always better provide full, compilable code in the form of a minimal working example (MWE). – Werner Apr 13 '14 at 13:58 • Please, make a complete minimal working example (MWE). The code snippet does not even make clear, whether plain TeX or LaTeX is used: $$ should not be used in LaTeX, thus it might be plain TeX. \Huge might be a hint for LaTeX. \msq, \mat#1#2\emat, \multi[#1][#2]#3 seem to be private macros. A MWE clarifies all these issues. – Heiko Oberdiek Apr 13 '14 at 14:00
• I can only conjecture that the problem is in what \multi[2][2]{\Huge{$0$}} does. Probably a fixed height vertical box, which a \Huge zero can't fit in. Use \huge or a smaller size. – egreg Apr 13 '14 at 16:16
• I'm using LaTeX. As for the rest, see the edit. And I just can't get used to  instead of $$. I have seen tex.stackexchange.com/questions/503/why-is-preferable-to many times, but 1) I can't get used to the change because $$ is automatic and I need speed typing in notes, and 2) it seems from that question that the difference is seen only in a few rare cases and is rarely any big issue, correct me if I'm wrong, so I don't see why I should change. – MickG Apr 14 '14 at 12:55
• you might try \smash{\Huge{$0$}} to make the "apparent" height and depth zero. you might have to fiddle with the vertical position. (sorry; this is unchecked, so it might not really work as i expect.) – barbara beeton Apr 14 '14 at 16:42

try \smash{\Huge $0$} to make the "apparent" height and depth zero.