The pre-submission checklist every researcher should run
Updated 2026-06-02
Most formatting rejections are avoidable. Before you submit, walk through this checklist - or run an automated check that covers all of it - to catch the issues reviewers and editors flag first.
1. Figures fit their column
Confirm no \includegraphics uses \textwidth in a two-column layout, and that fixed widths are not larger than the column. Overflow often only shows on the page where the float lands, so check every page the figure appears on.
See: how to fix figure overflow in LaTeX (/fix-figure-overflow-latex).
2. Tables do not overflow
Wide tables should be wrapped in \resizebox or promoted to a full-width table* float. A table that crosses the central gutter is an instant red flag in two-column venues.
3. Floats use flexible placement
Prefer [t], [tb], or [htbp] over [h] and [H] in papers. Restrictive specifiers cause whitespace and figures on the wrong page.
4. Equations and matrices fit
Long display equations should use multline or align; wide matrices may need resizing. Replace deprecated $$...$$ and eqnarray.
5. References and DOIs resolve
Every \cite should have a matching .bib entry, and every DOI should resolve to the correct record. Verify the whole bibliography, not a sample - see /doi-checker.
6. Venue compliance
Check page and abstract limits, bibliography style, anonymity for double-blind venues, and any required sections for your target journal or conference.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a pre-submission check take?+
By hand, 30+ minutes for a figure-heavy paper. An automated checker like LaTeX Formatter covers the same ground in under a minute and applies the fixes.
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