12.6 \newlength

Synopsis:

\newlength{\len}

Allocate a new length register (see Lengths). The required argument \len has to be a control sequence (see Control sequence, control word and control symbol), and as such must begin with a backslash, \ under normal circumstances. The new register holds rubber lengths such as 72.27pt or 1in plus.2in minus.1in (a LaTeX length register is what plain TeX calls a skip register). The initial value is zero. The control sequence \len must not be already defined.

An example:

\newlength{\graphichgt}

If you forget the backslash then you get ‘Missing control sequence inserted’. If the control sequence already exists then you get something like ‘LaTeX Error: Command \graphichgt already defined. Or name \end... illegal, see p.192 of the manual’.


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