Typst Conditionals & Loops

Conditionals

#let score = 0.85

// Inline
The model is #if score > 0.7 [accurate] else [inaccurate].

// Block form
#if score > 0.9 [
  Excellent performance.
] else if score > 0.7 [
  Good performance.
] else if score > 0.5 [
  Acceptable performance.
] else [
  Poor performance.
]

// Code-block style (for computation)
#let category = if score > 0.7 { "good" } else { "bad" }

For loops

// Iterate over an array
#let methods = ("Random", "Linear", "Neural")
- #for method in methods [#method, ]

// With index
#for (i, method) in methods.enumerate() [
  #(i + 1). #method \
]

// Range
#for i in range(1, 6) [
  Item #i \
]

// Iterate over dictionary
#let scores = (
  random: 0.5,
  linear: 0.7,
  neural: 0.92,
)
#for (name, score) in scores.pairs() [
  #name: #score \
]

While loops

#let n = 1
#while n < 1000 {
  // Compute something
  n = n * 2
}

Less common than #for in document construction. Useful for accumulator-driven logic or numeric algorithms.

Switchable document modes

#let mode = "thesis"     // "thesis" or "paper"

= Introduction

This is the introduction.

#if mode == "thesis" [
  // Full thesis: include extended methodology
  == Extended Methodology

  This section only appears in the thesis version,
  with full derivations and additional context.
]

= Results

Main results here.

#if mode == "thesis" [
  // Include appendices only in thesis mode
  #include "appendices/proofs.typ"
  #include "appendices/data.typ"
]

Toggle mode to compile two outputs (paper vs thesis) from one source.

Generate a table from data

#let results = (
  ("Random", 0.50, 12.3),
  ("Linear", 0.71, 5.8),
  ("Neural", 0.92, 1.2),
)

#table(
  columns: 3,
  table.header([Method], [Accuracy], [Time (s)]),
  ..for row in results {
    (row.at(0), str(row.at(1)), str(row.at(2)))
  }
)

The .. spread operator flattens the loop's output into table arguments. Each row contributes 3 cells.

Common mistakes

• Mixing {} and [] incorrectly. {} is code, [] is content. #if x { [content] } works; so does #if x [content].
• No # on inline if. Mid-sentence conditionals need #: "The result is #if x [yes] else [no]."
• Comparing strings with ==. Works fine in Typst: if mode == "thesis".
• Forgetting else if syntax. Use else if condition [content], not elseif (no space).