Understanding Fontspec and Xelatex

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 85 views

Introduction

Using small caps with XeLaTeX and fontspec can be a straightforward process, but it can also be plagued by issues, especially when working with certain fonts. In this article, we will delve into the world of fontspec and XeLaTeX, exploring the reasons behind the small caps feature not working with certain fonts and providing practical solutions to overcome these challenges.

Understanding Fontspec and Xelatex

Fontspec

Fontspec is a powerful package for font selection and formatting in LaTeX documents. It allows users to access a wide range of fonts, including OpenType and TrueType fonts, and provides advanced features such as font expansion, font variation, and font substitution.

Xelatex

XeLaTeX is a typesetting engine that combines the power of LaTeX with the advanced font handling capabilities of XeTeX. It is particularly useful for working with non-Latin scripts and fonts that require advanced formatting features.

The Small Caps Issue

When using fontspec with XeLaTeX, the small caps feature may not work as expected with certain fonts. This can be frustrating, especially when working on documents that require precise typography.

The Problem with Certain Fonts

The small caps feature in fontspec relies on the font's ability to produce small caps glyphs. However, not all fonts support this feature, or they may not implement it correctly. This can lead to issues with fontspec, causing the small caps feature to fail or produce incorrect results.

The Role of Fontspec's `SmallCapsFeatures` Option

Fontspec provides a SmallCapsFeatures option that allows users to customize the small caps feature. However, this option may not work as expected with certain fonts, leading to the small caps issue.

The Impact of Font Encoding

Font encoding can also play a role in the small caps issue. Some fonts may use different encoding schemes, which can affect the small caps feature.

Troubleshooting the Small Caps Issue

1. Check the Font's Small Caps Support

Before troubleshooting the small caps issue, it is essential to check if the font supports small caps. You can do this by checking the font's documentation or by using a font viewer to examine the font's glyph set.

2. Use the `SmallCapsFeatures` Option

Try using the SmallCapsFeatures option to customize the small caps feature. This option allows you to specify the font's small caps features, such as the font's small caps font, the font's small caps size, and the font's small caps style.

3. Use a Different Font Encoding

If the font encoding is causing issues, try using a different font encoding scheme. This can be done by specifying the font encoding using the FontEncoding option in fontspec.

4. Use a Workaround

If the small caps issue persists, try using a workaround. For example, you can use the textsmallcaps command to produce small caps text.

Example Code

Here is an example code snippet that demonstrates how to use fontspec with XeLaTeX and the SmallCapsFeatures option:

% !TEX TS-program = xelatexmk
\documentclass[12pt]{article}   %
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont[
SmallCapsFeatures = {Font = {SmallCapsFont}, Size = {SmallCapsSize}, Style = {SmallCapsStyle}}
]{Times New Roman}
\begin{document}
\textsmallcaps{This is a small caps text.}
\end{document}

Conclusion

In conclusion, the small caps feature in fontspec with XeLaTeX can be a challenging issue to overcome, especially when working with certain fonts. However, by understanding the role of fontspec, XeLaTeX, and font encoding, and by using the SmallCapsFeatures option and workarounds, you can troubleshoot and resolve the small caps issue.

Additional Resources

For further information on fontspec and XeLaTeX, please refer to the following resources:

Fontspec documentation: https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan/macros/latex/contrib/fontspec/fontspec.pdf
XeLaTeX documentation: https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan/macros/xetex/latex/xetex/xetex.pdf
LaTeX documentation: https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan/macros/latex/base/latex2e.pdf

FAQs

Q: Why is the small caps feature not working with my font?

A: The small caps feature may not work with your font if it does not support small caps glyphs or if the font encoding is causing issues.

Q: How can I customize the small caps feature using fontspec?

A: You can customize the small caps feature using the SmallCapsFeatures option in fontspec.

Q: What is the difference between `textsmallcaps` and `\textsmallcaps`?

A: textsmallcaps is a command that produces small caps text, while \textsmallcaps is a command that produces small caps text with a specific font and size.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the small caps issue?

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of small caps not working with certain fonts when using fontspec with XeLaTeX. We also provided some practical solutions to overcome this challenge. In this article, we will continue to provide more information and answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to small caps with fontspec and XeLaTeX.

Q&A

Q: Why is the small caps feature not working with my font?

A: The small caps feature may not work with your font if it does not support small caps glyphs or if the font encoding is causing issues. You can check the font's documentation or use a font viewer to examine the font's glyph set.

Q: How can I customize the small caps feature using fontspec?

A: You can customize the small caps feature using the SmallCapsFeatures option in fontspec. This option allows you to specify the font's small caps features, such as the font's small caps font, the font's small caps size, and the font's small caps style.

Q: What is the difference between `textsmallcaps` and `\textsmallcaps`?

A: textsmallcaps is a command that produces small caps text, while \textsmallcaps is a command that produces small caps text with a specific font and size. The \textsmallcaps command is more flexible and allows you to customize the font and size of the small caps text.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the small caps issue?

A: You can troubleshoot the small caps issue by checking the font's small caps support, using the SmallCapsFeatures option, using a different font encoding, and using a workaround. You can also try using a different font or a different fontspec package.

Q: Can I use small caps with other fontspec options?

A: Yes, you can use small caps with other fontspec options. For example, you can use the SmallCapsFeatures option with the Font option to specify a specific font for small caps text.

Q: How can I specify a specific font for small caps text?

A: You can specify a specific font for small caps text using the Font option in the SmallCapsFeatures option. For example:

\setmainfont[
  SmallCapsFeatures = {Font = {SmallCapsFont}}
]{Times New Roman}

Q: Can I use small caps with other LaTeX commands?

A: Yes, you can use small caps with other LaTeX commands. For example, you can use the \textsmallcaps command with the \emph command to produce emphasized small caps text.

Q: How can I produce small caps text with a specific font and size?

A: You can produce small caps text with a specific font and size using the \textsmallcaps command. For example:

\textsmallcaps[font = {Times New Roman}, size = {12pt}]{This is a small caps text.}

Additional Resources

For further information on fontspec and XeLaTeX, please refer to the following resources:

Fontspec documentation: https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan/macros/latex/contrib/fontspec/fontspec.pdf
XeLaTeX documentation: https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan/macros/xetex/latex/xetex/xetex.pdf
LaTeX documentation: https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan/macros/latex/base/latex2e.pdf

Conclusion

In conclusion, small caps with fontspec and XeLaTeX can be a challenging issue to overcome, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue. We hope this Q&A guide has been helpful in answering your questions and providing more information on small caps with fontspec and XeLaTeX.