LyX for MAC
Free, open-source document processor for Mac built on LaTeX: write by structure, not appearance, with a great math editor. Needs a TeX system.
LyX Overview
LyX is a document processor that encourages you to write based on the structure of your documents rather than their appearance. You say what each part is, such as a section or a caption, and LyX, working on top of LaTeX, takes care of the layout. It is well suited to scientific writing: its formula editor lets you enter equations with the mouse or with LaTeX commands and shows them rendered on screen right away, and you can insert plain LaTeX anywhere.
LyX is made by the LyX team and is free and open source under the GPL, version 2 or later. Version 2.5.3 is a maintenance release with bug fixes and speed improvements. The download is a universal app for Apple Silicon and Intel and needs macOS 12 or later; a separate build is offered for older Mac versions. Two things to know before you start: you must install a TeX system such as MacTeX first, and LyX is not notarized by Apple, so macOS warns you the first time you open it. On macOS Sequoia and later you allow it with Open Anyway in System Settings, under Privacy & Security.
Key Features
LyX gives you the power of LaTeX in a graphical editor.
- Math editor: point and click or LaTeX commands, rendered at once.
- Structured writing: labels, references, index and bibliography with BibTeX.
- Document classes: letters, articles, books, slides, movie scripts and more.
- Outliner: navigate and move whole chapters and sections.
- Tables and figures: interactive tables, floats, subfigures and captions.
- Change tracking: track revisions, compare versions and use branches.
- Export: PDF, LaTeX, HTML, ePub, OpenDocument, Word and others.
- Many languages: right-to-left and CJK writing, with translated menus and manuals.
What’s New in Version 2.5.3
LyX 2.5.3 is a maintenance release that mostly fixes minor bugs.
- Restores the captions in starred environments
- Fixes a crash when closing complex multipart documents
- Better keyboard navigation in the Cross-References dialog
- A tidier display of index entries in the outliner
- Faster toolbar updates, math macro handling and previews
- Updated translations in several languages
LyX FAQ
Is LyX free?
Yes. LyX is free and open source under the GPL, version 2 or later.
What does LyX need to work?
A TeX system such as MacTeX. The LyX download page asks you to install one before you install LyX.
Why does macOS warn me when I open LyX?
LyX is not notarized by Apple, so Gatekeeper blocks a normal double-click. On macOS Sequoia and later, Control-click the app, choose Done, then click Open Anyway under Privacy & Security in System Settings, and Control-click the app again to confirm.
Which macOS version does LyX need?
macOS 12 or later for the main download, according to Homebrew data for this type of build. The LyX site offers a separate build for older Mac versions.
Does LyX run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. The main download is built for both Apple Silicon and Intel.
Do I have to know LaTeX to use LyX?
Not to start: all functions are available through menus and the mouse, and the documentation includes a beginner tutorial. If you do know LaTeX, you can insert plain LaTeX code anywhere in a document.
Is LyX good for math?
Yes, it is one of its main strengths. Equations can be entered by point and click or with LaTeX commands and are shown rendered on screen immediately.
Which formats can LyX export to?
Among others, PDF, LaTeX, PostScript, DVI, HTML, OpenDocument, RTF, Word, DocBook 5 and ePub, through its configurable converters.
Can LyX handle languages other than English?
Yes. It supports many writing systems, including right-to-left languages and CJK, and its menus and manuals are available in many languages.
Where does the LyX download on lyx.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official LyX download page at https://www.lyx.org/Download. lyx.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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