Customizing the template

Customizing the template

This guide provides instructions on how to customize the NOVAthesis template, categorized by importance. All user customizations should be performed within the files located in the 0-Config/ folder.

Mandatory

These settings are essential for a valid thesis and must be configured.

Document Configuration (0-Config/1_novathesis.tex)

• doctype: Specify the type of document (e.g., phd, msc, bsc).
• school: Choose your school identifier to apply institutionally-compliant cover layouts (e.g., nova/fct, ulisboa/ist).
• lang: Set the main language for the document body (e.g., en, pt).
• docstatus: Update the workflow stage (working, provisional, or final). This controls the inclusion of specific pages like the dedication or committee.

Cover Metadata (0-Config/3_cover.tex)

• Title and Subtitle: Use \nttitle to define titles in both the main language and English (if different).
• Author Information: Set the author's full name and short name using \ntauthorname.
• Institution Details: Specify the department (\ntdepartment) and degree name (\ntdegreename). Note: NOVA FCT users should use 0-Config/9_nova_fct.tex.
• Advisers: Add your advisers and co-advisers using \ntaddperson{adviser}.
• Dates: Set the submission and exam dates using \ntdate.

Content and Files (0-Config/4_files.tex)

• Bibliography: Register your .bib database files using \ntaddfile{bib}{...}.
• Chapters: List all your thesis chapters in order using \ntaddfile{chapter}{...}.
• Abstracts: Include abstract files for each required language.

Bibliography Style (0-Config/2_biblatex.tex)

• Select the appropriate citation style (e.g., numeric, author-year, IEEE, APA) by uncommenting the relevant block.

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Optional

These settings allow you to tailor the template to your preferences or specific requirements.

Appearance and Style (0-Config/1_novathesis.tex)

• Fonts: Choose a different body font (e.g., libertine, arial, opensans) using style/font.
• Chapter Headings: Select a chapter style (e.g., bar, elegant, compact) using style/chapter.
• Media: Switch between screen (equal margins, colored links) and paper (binding margins, black links).
• Colors: Customize the color of hyperlinks using color/links.

Supplemental Pages (0-Config/1_novathesis.tex)

• AI Disclosure: Enable or disable the Generative AI Disclosure statement (print/aidisclosure).
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Print UN SDG icons on the abstract pages using print/sdgs/list.
• Indices: Enable a word index (print/index) or a separate webography for online references (print/webography).
• Front Matter: Include optional pages like dedication, acknowledgments, or a quote in 0-Config/4_files.tex.

Custom Packages and Macros (0-Config/5_packages.tex)

• Add any extra LaTeX packages or custom commands you need for your document.

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Probably unnecessary

These advanced settings are typically left at their default values unless you have very specific needs.

• PDF/A Archival Toggle: The template automatically handles PDF/A-2b compliance in final mode. Only use pdfa=false if you need to opt out.
• Spine Width: Adjust the book spine width using spine/width if the default (1cm) is not suitable.
• Abstract Order: Change the sequence of abstract languages using abstractorder.
• Debugging Options: Enable grids or bounding boxes for fine-tuning covers and spines using debug={cover,spine}.
• Language Overrides: Manually rename language-specific strings (e.g., changing "Table of Contents" to "Contents") using \ntlangsetup in 0-Config/5_packages.tex.
• Float Numbering: Change the numbering scheme for figures and tables from chapter to sequential using numbering/floats.