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.