90

How do I typeset an entire document in sans-serif, e.g. Helvetica, without littering the document with font changes for every heading/paragraph, etc.? Like in How to set the font for a \section title (and chapter etc), but with the paragraphs all in sans-serif.

For example, I've seen documents typeset in Computer Modern and then switched to Palatino, but can I do the same with Helvetica with a few commands at the beginning?

(And please don't tell me to use a serif font for body copy / paragraphs. I know. I'm trying to use latex to typeset my resume to look like the one I've created in a word processor, which is hard to maintain but looks good. I'm hoping latex will let me do more advanced formatting/layout, separating content from form.)

|improve this question
107

\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault} will switch to using sans-serif for everything except mathematics. The sans-serif will be computer modern sans unless you also put \usepackage{helvet} in the preamble in order to make the default sans be Helvetica (or \usepackage{avant} for Avant-Garde, etc.

|improve this answer
  • 4
    Usually yes, although it's possible that a particular distribution has been installed so that that isn't the default. For most standardly installed distributions, though, font embedding is enabled by default, AFAIK. – Alan Munn Jul 5 '11 at 18:40
  • 5
    @Lev, Is there a package that does this automatically?, that is, without the ugly \renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault} code. (Nothing against it, but this is the kind of code makes me embarrassed to explain to newcomers) – alfC Mar 22 '13 at 20:50
  • 12
    The command \usepackage{helvet} does not provide Helvetica font, but an Helvetica clone called Nimbus Sans L. – user34087 Jul 24 '13 at 8:09
  • 1
    @alfC: some packages (eg: sourcesanspro, cabin) provide an option. The LaTeX Font Catalogue will show this in the code example for most (but not all) packages. – Silke Jul 24 '13 at 21:46
  • 1
    @alfC haha. ok ;) I definitely sympathise with the idea that TeX/LaTeX is the opposite of newbie-friendly (user-friendly, even). – isomorphismes Jun 4 '14 at 4:25
4

In ConTeXt you obviously use \setupbodyfont. This will not affect math mode.

\setupbodyfont[ss]

\starttext

Sans-Serif

\stoptext

enter image description here

|improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.