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Help:Editing

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Contents

[edit] Markup

[edit] Organizing your writing

What it looks like What you type

Section headings

Headings organize your writing into sections. The Wiki software can automatically generate a table of contents from them.


Subsection

Using more equals signs creates a subsection.


A smaller subsection

Don't skip levels, like from two to four equals signs. Start with two equals signs; don't use single equals signs.

== Section headings ==

Headings organize your writing into sections.
The Wiki software can automatically generate
a table of contents from them.

=== Subsection ===

Using more equals signs creates a subsection.

==== A smaller subsection ====

Don't skip levels, like from two to four equals signs.
Start with two equals signs; don't use single equals signs.
  • Unordered lists are easy to do:
    • Start every line with a star.
      • More stars indicate a deeper level.
  • A newline
  • in a list

marks the end of the list.

  • Of course you can start again.
* ''Unordered lists'' are easy to do:
** Start every line with a star.
*** More stars indicate a deeper level.
*A newline
*in a list  
marks the end of the list.
*Of course you can start again.
  1. Numbered lists are also good:
    1. Very organized
    2. Easy to follow

A newline marks the end of the list.

  1. New numbering starts with 1.
# Numbered lists are also good:
## Very organized
## Easy to follow
A newline marks the end of the list.
#New numbering starts with 1.
  • You can even do mixed lists
    1. and nest them
      • or break lines
        in lists.
* You can even do mixed lists
*# and nest them
*#* or break lines<br>in lists.

Another kind of list is a definition list:

word 
definition of the word
longer phrase
phrase defined
Another kind of list is a '''definition list''':
; word : definition of the word
; longer phrase 
: phrase defined
A colon indents a line or paragraph.

A newline after that starts a new paragraph.

This is often used for discussion on Talk pages.
  1. Indenting
    • can be mixed
      with
      1. list styles; use this sparingly.
:A colon indents a line or paragraph.
A newline after that starts a new paragraph.
::This is often used for discussion on talk pages.
::#Indenting
::#*can be mixed
::#*:with
::#*:#list styles; use this sparingly.

You can make horizontal dividing lines


to separate text.


But you should usually use sections instead, so that they go in the table of contents.

You can make horizontal dividing lines
<hr>
to separate text.
----
But you should usually use sections instead,
so that they go in the table of contents.

[edit] Links

You will often want to make clickable links to other pages.

What it looks like What you type

Here's a link to a page named Official position. You can even say official positions and the link will show up correctly.

You can put formatting around a link. Example: Wikipedia.

The first letter will automatically be capitalized, so wikipedia goes to the same place as Wikipedia. Capitalization matters after the first letter. This is not the case with wiktionary, where every letter is case-sensitive - see apollo and Apollo as an example.

The weather in London is a page that doesn't exist yet. You can create it by clicking on the link, but for the purposes of this demonstration, please don't.

Here's a link to a page named [[Official position]].
You can even say [[official position]]s
and the link will show up correctly.

You can put formatting around a link.
Example: ''[[Wikipedia]]''.

The ''first letter'' will automatically be capitalized,
so [[wikipedia]] is the same as [[Wikipedia]].
Capitalization matters after the first letter.

[[The weather in London]] is a page that doesn't exist
yet.  You can create it by clicking on the link, but for
the purposes of this demonstration, please don't.

You can link to a page section by its title:

If multiple sections have the same title, add a number. #Example section 3 goes to the third section named "Example section".

You can link to a page section by its title:

*[[List of cities by country#Morocco]].
*[[List of cities by country#Sealand]].

If multiple sections have the same title, add
a number. [[#Example section 3]] goes to the
third section named "Example section".

You can make a link point to a different place with a piped link. Put the link target first, then the pipe character "|", then the link text.

You can make a link point to a different place
with a [[Help:Piped link|piped link]]. Put the link
target first, then the pipe character "|", then
the link text.

*[[Help:Link|About Links]]
*[[List of cities by country#Morocco|
Cities in Morocco]]

You can make an external link just by typing a URL: http://www.nupedia.com

You can give it a title: Nupedia

Or leave the title blank: [1]

You can make an external link just by typing a URL:
http://www.nupedia.com

You can give it a title:
[http://www.nupedia.com Nupedia]

Or leave the title blank:
[http://www.nupedia.com]

You can redirect the user to another page with a special link. For example, you might want to redirect USA to United States.

#REDIRECT [[United States]]

Category links don't show up, but add the page to a category.

Add an extra colon to actually link to the category: Category:English documentation

Category links don't show up, but add the page
to a category. [[Category:English documentation]]

Add an extra colon to actually link to the category:
[[:Category:English documentation]]

The Wiki reformats linked dates to match the reader's date preferences. These three dates will show up the same if you choose a format in your Preferences:

The Wiki reformats linked dates to match the reader's date
preferences. These three dates will show up the same if you
choose a format in your [[Special:Preferences|]]:
* [[July 20]], [[1969]]
* [[20 July]] [[1969]]
* [[1969]]-[[07-20]]

[edit] Just show what I typed

A few different kinds of formatting will tell the Wiki to display things as you typed them.

What it looks like What you type
<nowiki> tags

The nowiki tag ignores [[Wiki]] ''markup''. It reformats text by removing newlines and multiple spaces. It still interprets special characters: →

<nowiki>
The nowiki tag ignores [[Wiki]] ''markup''.
It reformats text by removing newlines    and multiple spaces.
It still interprets special characters: &rarr;
</nowiki>
<pre> tags
The pre tag ignores [[Wiki]] ''markup''.
It also doesn't     reformat text.
It still interprets special characters: →
<nowiki>
<pre>
The pre tag ignores [[Wiki]] ''markup''.
It also doesn't     reformat text.
It still interprets special characters: &rarr;

</nowiki></pre>

Leading spaces

Leading spaces are another way to preserve formatting.

Putting a space at the beginning of each line
stops the text   from being reformatted. It still
interprets Wiki markup and special
characters: →
Leading spaces are another way to preserve formatting.

 Putting a space at the beginning of each line
 stops the text   from being reformatted. It still
 interprets [[Wiki]] ''markup'' and special
 characters: &rarr;

[edit] Images, tables, video, and sounds

This is a very quick introduction. For more information, see:

What it looks like What you type

A picture, including alternate text:

The logo for this Wiki

You can put the image in a frame with a caption:

The logo for this Wiki
A picture, including alternate text:

[[Image:Wiki.png|The logo for this Wiki]]

You can put the image in a frame with a caption:
[[Image:Wiki.png|frame|The logo for this Wiki]]

A link to Wikipedia's page for the image: Image:Wiki.png

Or a link directly to the image itself: Media:Wiki.png

A link to Wikipedia's page for the image:
[[:Image:Wiki.png]]

Or a link directly to the image itself:
[[Media:Wiki.png]]

Use media: links to link to sounds or videos: A sound file

Use '''media:''' links to link to sounds
or videos: [[media:Sg_mrob.ogg|A sound file]]
This is
a table
<center>
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
| This
| is
|- 
| a
| '''table'''
|}
</center>


[edit] Templates

Templates are segments of Wiki markup that are meant to be copied automatically ("transcluded") into a page. You add them by putting the template's name in {{double braces}}.

Some templates take parameters, as well, which you separate with the pipe character.

What it looks like What you type

This sentence is not on the Help:Editing page.

{{Transclusion demo}}

This template takes two parameters, and creates underlined text with a hover box:

Template:H:title

Go to this page to see the H:title template itself.

This template takes two parameters, and creates
underlined text with a hover box:

{{H:title|This is the hover text|
Hover your mouse over this text}}

Go to [[template:H:title|this page]] to see the H:title template itself.

It is also possible to transclude pages that are not templates. If the page is in a namespace other than Main or Template (title begins with Help:, Category:, Talk:, etc.), no change is needed; if it is in the main namespace (usually no colon in the title), precede it with a colon.

[edit] See also

For help with template creation, box layout and other more advanced topics than those covered here, see Wikipedia:Help:Editing.

[edit] Style guide

[edit] Layout

[edit] Opening paragraph

Examples of well-formatted opening paragraphs:

[edit] Product articles
The HP MP3220 Digital Projector, made by Hewlett-Packard, weighs 1.7 kg (3.8 lbs) and has a 2000-lumen brightness rating. It is sold by Tiger Direct and other merchants.

Note that:

  • The make and model of the product are listed in bold immediately after the word "The."
  • A link to the most specific corresponding product category appears as early as possible.
  • This is followed by "made by" and the manufacturer's name.
  • Key specifications are also in the first sentence, and retailers in the second sentence, if not listed in separate sections.
[edit] Product type articles
A digital projector (informally called a PowerPoint projector, after the slideshow-creating program from Microsoft Office) is an electro-optical machine which converts image data from a computer or video source to a bright image which is then imaged on a distant wall or screen using a lens system. Its most common use is to display animated slide shows cabled to it from a computer. Though widely used in offices and schools, it is rarely used at home, where photo slideshows can be burned to DVD and played on a TV set.

Note that:

  • The singular of the title of the article is listed in bold immediately after "A" or "An."
  • Other names, and a definition for the item, make up the first sentence. (A good definition can generally be found in the first sentence of the corresponding Wikipedia entry, or in Wiktionary. You can legally copy and paste from these projects, since they are under the same free license as this wiki (see Shopping wiki:Copyrights).
  • Uses are described in the second sentence.
  • Alternatives are described here if not in a separate section.
[edit] Brand that is the company name
The Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ), commonly known as HP, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, United States. Its products, branded under its own name, are mostly computer hardware, printers, and digital imaging. It also sells software and services to large businesses.

Note that:

  • The word "The" is immediately followed by the company name in bold, then (where applicable) the stock ticker symbol and nicknames.
  • The second sentence lists, and links to, the company's product categories. This same sentence should either state that products are branded under the company's own name, or name and link to other brands.
[edit] Brand that is not the company name
[edit] Retailer
Tiger Direct [2] is a discount retailer of computers, computer parts and television sets. It does not sell other electronics, software or media. It sells both online and through large stores in low-rent areas of big cities.

Note that:

  • A link to the store's online outlet exists, if there is one.
  • The first sentence describes and links to the product categories it sells.
  • The lead paragraph also indicates types of products it might be expected to sell, but does not.
  • The distribution channel, including locations of bricks-and-mortar stores, is also mentioned.
[edit] Guides
Most adults in the Western world have social obligations to purchase their friends and relatives gifts for their birthdays, as well as an end-of-year holiday (Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa). But choosing a thoughtful and affordable gift can take as long as earning the money to buy it, depending on your knowledge of the recipient's interests, your budget, and what they already have. Although this choice can be made at the last minute, it is best to start two months in advance. Regardless of how much time you have, the considerations remain the same, and will be outlined below.

Note that:

  • Guide articles are more free-form, but the first paragraph should give general background and explain the guide's purpose.
  • The phrase most related to the title should be in bold.
  • Place a link to Wikipedia where (a) you would put one in a Wikipedia article (see Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Manual of Style (links)) and (b) a corresponding article on this wiki does not, and should not, exist.

[edit] Links

[edit] When to use templates

[edit] Categorization

  • Articles about a specific product (make and model) or service (offered by a specific company) belong in Category:Products. However, they should be placed under a sub-category specific to the type of product, which will probably be part of several intervening categories. See Category:Digital projectors for an example of this.
  • An article about a type of product or service (e.g. cable Internet access or apple juice) belongs in a subcategory of Category:Product types, and the corresponding sub-category of Category:Products. See Digital projectors for an example.
  • An article may be about a brand or retailer. In Category:Brands and Category:Retailers, there are also sub-categories, but they will not go as deep because brands and retailers are likely to offer many types of products. An example is Category:Digital imaging brands.
  • A news article, suitable for the Current events page, can go on Category:News.
  • A guide not specific to one retailer or product can go under Category:Guides. It may be a guide to a product type (at any depth of the hierarchy), in which case it should also be in Category:Product types, but it may be about a general topic such as Birthday and holiday gift selection.
  • Do not directly add an article to Category:Stubs or any of its subcategories. If an article is a stub, add one of the following templates: {{Brand stub}}, {{Product stub}}, {{Product type stub}} or {{Retailer stub}}. If your are not sure of a stub's appropriate category, use the template {{Stub}}.

Contents

You can edit any page where you can see an edit link. The changes that you make will show on the page as soon as you save.

In pictures

Click edit at the top of the page you want to edit.


An "edit box" will open, type your new sentences or corrections.
Please note: on newer wikis you may see the new editor.


Click Preview to check what you have written.


Click Save page to save your writing.


Video walkthrough


Editing

Ready to put your flavor on things? Learn how here!

Also check out our editing Tips and Tricks

For more videos please see our online demos page.

Some other editing tips

  • Explain your edit in the 'Summary' box between the edit window and the bottom row of grey buttons. By filling it the summary box, it allows you to tell members of your wiki community why you made a certain change to an article, making communication easier. You only need to type a short message here, for example 'added introduction'.
  • Use the 'Show preview' button to check your edit before saving. Remember to save your preview before moving on. The preview button gives you a chance to check your edit for formatting and typos before it's up on the wiki for all to see. It also spares you the grief of having to go back and make another change after saving an article.
  • If you are logged in, you can mark an edit as minor by checking the 'This is a minor edit' box. This lets other editors know your edit is very small.
  • Pages that start with 'User:' are personal pages. While it's considered impolite to make major edits to other people's user pages without permission, feel free to leave messages for people on their User_talk pages.
  • Always remember to sign your talk page comments with four tildes ( ~~~~). That way, the person you're writing to will know who sent him/her the message.

Formatting

Most text formatting is usually done with wiki markup, so you don't have to learn HTML.

See Help:Formatting and Help:HTML.

Links

Links are important on wikis to help readers navigate your site. The more your pages are linked to each other, the easier it is for readers to find what they're looking for.

See Help:Links, Help:External link and also Category:Link help on Wikia Help.

Wiki variables and templates

Use {{SITENAME}} to see the current Wikia. For instance, {{SITENAME}} on this site prints out as Wikia Help.

That and a few other templates are common to MediaWiki sites. For a complete list of these "magic words", see magic words on Meta.

You can create templates. After you create the page Template:XXX, using the command {{XXX}} will include that content in your current page. So, if you have something that needs to be included on many other pages, you might want to use a template.

Most templates available on the Central Wikia can be used on individual Wikia wikis with just "wikia:" prefixed to the name. See Help:Shared templates.

See also