This extension allows to write an abstract anywhere in the main text and moves it to the metadata. Quarto expects the abstract to be given as part of the metadata, but adding the abstract to the body text is often easier and more natural.

A document abstract can either be put directly in the document metadata, for example by inserting an abstract attribute into a YAML block.

---
abstract: |
  Place abstract here.

  Multiple paragraphs are possible.
---

The additional indentation and formatting requirements in YAML headers can be confusing or annoying for authors. It can be preferable to write abstracts as normal sections.

# Abstract

Place abstract here.

Multiple paragraphs are possible.

This filter turns the latter into the former by looking for a header whose ID is abstract. Quarto auto-creates IDs based on header contents, so a header titled Abstract will satisfy this condition.

The abstract can be placed anywhere in the document.

The filter assumes that the abstract contains all text up to the next heading or horizontal rule, whichever comes first. Thus the abstract can be placed at the beginning of a document whose text doesn't start with a heading:

# Abstract

The abstract text includes this.

* * * *

This text is the beginning of the document.