Help:Editing all-in-one guide

This "Editing Overview" is intended to be a very brief and short introduction to wiki editing. Each of the topics covered here is covered somewhere else in more detail. Look at the right hand side of the table (the one with many clickable links).

You may want to keep Help:Wikitext examples or Help:Wikitext_reference open while editing when you need more advanced wikitext and editing skills. If you want view a full guide in one page, please go to Help:Editing all-in-one guide.

Editing Basics

"Edit this page" starts and restarts an edit. Below the edit box,"Cancel" stops an edit. "Show changes" compares the current text with your text. "Edit summary" is where you tell the page history what you did. "Show preview" shows your text and lets you make corrections. Only "Save page" makes your edit the current text and puts a link to it on the page history. To experiment, go to "sandbox". See also: talk pages, MediaWiki, wikitext, edit summary, Wikipedia:Edit_summary_legend, Show preview, & sandbox.

Basic formatting

Wikipedia was the first Wikimedia project. 600px

Most Frequent Wiki Markup Explained

This section is intended to introduce wiki markups to new comers. That's why we just pick up about 6 most frequently used wiki markups from Wikitext examples. It is not intended to be a comprehensive explanation of all wiki markups. Otherwise you should take a look at the following:

Help:Wikitext examples
Help:Wikitext_reference
Help:Reference card - a one-page summary of important commands, to be printed out and used next to the computer
Help:HTML in wikitext
HTML elements - introduction to HTML

What it looks like	What you type
You can italicize text by putting 2 apostrophes on each side	You can ''italicize text'' by putting 2 apostrophes on each side.
3 apostrophes will bold the text.	3 apostrophes will bold '''the text'''.
5 apostrophes will bold and italicize the text.	5 apostrophes will bold and italicize '''''the text'''''.
(4 apostrophes don't do anything special -- there's just 'one left over'.)	(4 apostrophes don't do anything special -- there's just ''''one left over''''.)
You should "sign" your comments on talk pages:	You should "sign" your comments on talk pages: <br>
Three tildes gives your user name: User Name	Three tildes gives your user name: ~~~<br>
Four tildes give your user name plus date/time: User Name 07:46, 27 November 2005 (UTC)	Four tildes give your user name plus date/time: ~~~~ <br>
Five tildes gives the date/time alone: 07:46, 27 November 2005 (UTC)	Five tildes gives the date/time alone: ~~~~~<br>
Section headings Headings organize your writing into sections. The Wiki software can automatically generate a table of contents from them.	== Section headings == Start with 2 equals signs not 1 because 1 creates H1 tags which should be reserved for page title.
Subsection Using more equals signs creates a subsection.	=== Subsection === Using more equals signs creates a subsection.
A smaller subsection Don't skip levels, like from two to four equals signs.	==== A smaller subsection ==== Don't skip levels, like from two to four equals signs.
Unordered lists Start every line with a star.	* ''Unordered [[Help:List\|list]]s'' * Start every line with a star.
Numbered lists use number sign	#''Numbered lists'' #use number sign
Link to a page named Official position. You can even say official positions	Link to a page named [[Official position]]. You can even say [[official position]]s
The weather in Moscow is a page that doesn't exist yet. You could create it by clicking on the link.	[[The weather in Moscow]] is a page that doesn't exist yet. You could create it by clicking on the link.
You can link to a page's section by its title: List of cities by country#Morocco.	You can link to a page's section by its title: *[[List of cities by country#Morocco]].
If multiple sections have the same title, add a number. #Example section 3 goes to the third section named "Example section".	If multiple sections have the same title, add a number. [[#Example section 3]] goes to the third section named "Example section".

Wikitext Examples

Basic text formatting

What it looks like	What you type
You can italicize text by putting 2 apostrophes on each side. 3 apostrophes will bold the text. 5 apostrophes will bold and italicize the text. (4 apostrophes don't do anything special -- there's just 'one left over'.)	You can ''italicize text'' by putting 2 apostrophes on each side. 3 apostrophes will bold '''the text'''. 5 apostrophes will bold and italicize '''''the text'''''. (4 apostrophes don't do anything special -- there's just ''''one left over''''.)
A single newline generally has no effect on the layout. These can be used to separate sentences within a paragraph. Some editors find that this aids editing and improves the diff function (used internally to compare different versions of a page). But an empty line starts a new paragraph. When used in a list, a newline does affect the layout (see below).	A single [[w:newline\|]] generally has no effect on the layout. These can be used to separate sentences within a paragraph. Some editors find that this aids editing and improves the ''diff'' function (used internally to compare different versions of a page). But an empty line starts a new paragraph. When used in a list, a newline ''does'' affect the layout ([[#lists\|see below]]).
You can break lines without a new paragraph. Please use this sparingly. Please do not start a link or italics or bold on one line and close it on the next.	You can break lines<br> without a new paragraph.<br> Please use this sparingly. Please do not start a [[link]] or ''italics'' or '''bold''' on one line and close it on the next.
You should "sign" your comments on talk pages: - Three tildes gives your user name: Karl Wick - Four tildes give your user name plus date/time: Karl Wick 07:46, 27 November 2005 (UTC) - Five tildes gives the date/time alone: 07:46, 27 November 2005 (UTC)	You should "sign" your comments on talk pages: <br> - Three tildes gives your user name: ~~~ <br> - Four tildes give your user name plus date/time: ~~~~ <br> - Five tildes gives the date/time alone: ~~~~~ <br>

HTML tags

You can use some HTML tags too. For a list of HTML tags that are allowed, see HTML in wikitext. However, you should avoid HTML in favor of Wiki markup whenever possible.

What it looks like	What you type
Put text in a `typewriter font`. The same font is generally used for `computer code`.	Put text in a <tt>typewriter font</tt>. The same font is generally used for <code> computer code</code>.
~~Strike out~~ or underline text, or write it in small caps.	<strike>Strike out</strike> or <u>underline</u> text, or write it <span style= "font-variant:small-caps"> in small caps</span>.
Superscripts and subscripts: X², H₂O	Superscripts and subscripts: X<sup>2</sup>, H<sub>2</sub>O
Centered text Please note the American spelling of "center".	<center>Centered text</center>
The blockquote command will indent both margins when needed instead of the left margin only as the colon does.	<blockquote> The '''blockquote''' command will indent both margins when needed instead of the left margin only as the colon does. </blockquote>
Invisible comments to editors ( ) only appear while editing the page. If you wish to make comments to the public, you should usually use the talk page.	Invisible comments to editors ( <!-- --> ) only appear while editing the page. <!-- Note to editors: blah blah blah. -->

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 2 equals signs not 1 because 1 creates H1 tags which should be reserved for page title.	== 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 2 equals signs not 1 because 1 creates H1 tags which should be reserved for page title.
Unordered lists are easy to do: Start every line with a star. More stars indicate a deeper level. Previous item continues. 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. : Previous item continues. * A newline * in a list marks the end of the list. * Of course you can start again.
Numbered lists are: Very organized Easy to follow A newline marks the end of the list. 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.
Here's a definition list: Word Definition of the word A longer phrase needing definition Phrase defined A word Which has a definition Also a second one And even a third Begin with a semicolon. One item per line; a newline can appear before the colon, but using a space before the colon improves parsing.	Here's a ''definition list'': ; Word : Definition of the word ; A longer phrase needing definition : Phrase defined ; A word : Which has a definition : Also a second one : And even a third Begin with a semicolon. One item per line; a newline can appear before the colon, but using a space before the colon improves parsing.
You can even do mixed lists and nest them inside each other or break lines in lists. definition lists can be nested too	* You can even do mixed lists # and nest them # inside each other # or break lines<br>in lists. #; definition lists #: can be *#:; nested : too
A colon (:) indents a line or paragraph. A newline starts a new paragraph. Often used for discussion on talk pages. We use 1 colon to indent once. We use 2 colons to indent twice. 3 colons to indent 3 times, and so on.	: A colon (:) indents a line or paragraph. A newline starts a new paragraph. <br> Often used for discussion on talk pages. : We use 1 colon to indent once. :: We use 2 colons to indent twice. ::: 3 colons to indent 3 times, and so on.
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 (----) to separate text. ---- But you should usually use sections instead, so that they go in the table of contents.
You can add footnotes to sentences using the ref tag -- this is especially good for citing a source. There are over six billion people in the world.^[1] References: ↑ CIA World Factbook, 2006. For details, see Wikipedia:Footnotes and Help:Footnotes.	You can add footnotes to sentences using the ''ref'' tag -- this is especially good for citing a source. :There are over six billion people in the world.<ref>CIA World Factbook, 2006.</ref> References: <references/> For details, see [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] and [[Help:Footnotes]].

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.	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.	You can put formatting around a link. Example: ''[[Wikipedia]]''.
The first letter of articles is automatically capitalized, so wikipedia goes to the same place as Wikipedia. Capitalization matters after the first letter.	The ''first letter'' of articles is automatically capitalized, so [[wikipedia]] goes to the same place as [[Wikipedia]]. Capitalization matters after the first letter.
The weather in Moscow is a page that doesn't exist yet. You could create it by clicking on the link.	[[The weather in Moscow]] is a page that doesn't exist yet. You could create it by clicking on the link.
You can link to a page section by its title: List of cities by country#Morocco. 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]]. 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. About Links Cities in Morocco	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]
Linking to an e-mail address works the same way: mailto:someone@domain.com or someone	Linking to an e-mail address works the same way: mailto:someone@domain.com or [mailto:someone@domain.com someone]
You can use magic words to help make links to special pages such as diffs, edit pages or history pages. http://www.lensovet.net/~sysadmin/w/Official_position Edit	{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Official position}} [{{SERVER}}{{localurl: {{PAGENAME}}\|action=edit}} Edit]
You can redirect the user to another page.	#REDIRECT [[Official position]]
Category links do not show up in line but instead at page bottom and cause the page to be listed in the category. Add an extra colon to link to a category in line without causing the page to be listed in the category: Category:English documentation	[[Help:Category\|Category links]] do not show up in line but instead at page bottom ''and cause the page to be listed in the category.'' [[Category:English documentation]] Add an extra colon to ''link'' to a category in line without causing the page to be listed in 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: July 20, 1969 20 July 1969 1969-07-20	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]]

Just show what I typed

See also Help:Wiki markup examples#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

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>

The pre tag ignores [[Wiki]]
 ''markup''.
It also doesn't     reformat
 text.
It still interprets special
characters: →

<pre>
The pre tag ignores [[Wiki]]
 ''markup''.
It also doesn't     reformat
 text.
It still interprets special
characters: &rarr;
</pre>

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;

Images, tables, video, and sounds

After uploading, just enter the filename, highlight it and press the "embedded image"-button of the edit_toolbar.

This will produce the sytax for uploading a file [[Image:filename.png]]

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

Help:Images and other uploaded files for how to upload files
w:en:Wikipedia:Extended image syntax for how to arrange images on the page
Help:Table for how to create a table

What it looks like

What you type

A picture, including alternate text:

This Wiki's logo

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

File:Wiki.png

This Wiki's logo

A picture, including alternate text:

[[Image:Wiki.png|This Wiki's logo]]

The image in a frame with a caption:
[[Image:Wiki.png|frame|This Wiki's logo]]

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 directly to sounds or videos: A sound file

Use '''media:''' links to link 
directly to sounds or videos: 
[[media:Sg_mrob.ogg|A sound file]]

This	is
a	table

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" 
cellpadding="5" align="center"
! This
! is
|- 
| a
| table
|-
|}

Mathematical formulas

You can format mathematical formulas with TeX markup. See Help:Formula.

What it looks like	What you type
<math>\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{x^n}{n!}</math>	<math>\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{x^n}{n!}</math>

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

Template:Transclusion demo

{{Transclusion demo}}

This template takes two parameters, and creates underlined text with a hover box for many modern browsers supporting CSS:

Template:H:title

Go to this page to see the H:title template itself: Template:Tl

This template takes two parameters, and
creates underlined text with a hover box
for many modern browsers supporting CSS:

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

Go to this page to see the H:title template
itself: {{tl|H:title}}

Wikitext References

Template:Merge

Template:Cleanup

Linking

http://www.example.com http://example.com

[[page name]] page name

[[page name|short name]] short name

Headers

==double==

double

===triple===

triple

====quad====

quad

text formatting

''italic'' italic

'''bold''' bold

image

table

div

span

Bold text

'''Bold text'''

Italic text

''Italic text''

Link title

[[Link title]]

link title

[http://www.example.com link title]

Headline text

== Headline text ==

File:Example.jpg

[[Image:Example.jpg]]

Media:Example.ogg

[[Media:Example.ogg]]

<math>Insert- formula- here</math>

<math>Insert formula here</math>

Insert non-formatted text here

<nowiki>Insert non-formatted text here</nowiki>

Your user name & when

--~~~~

----

REDIRECT Insert text

#REDIRECT [[Insert text]]

[1] CIA World Factbook, 2006.

[1]

Help:Editing all-in-one guide

Contents

Editing Basics

Basic formatting

Most Frequent Wiki Markup Explained

Section headings

Subsection

A smaller subsection

Further Reading

About Editing

About Wiki Markups and Codes

Page Management

Others

Wikitext Examples

Basic text formatting

HTML tags

Organizing your writing

Links

Just show what I typed

Images, tables, video, and sounds

Mathematical formulas

Templates

Wikitext References

Linking

Headers

double

triple

quad

text formatting

image

table

div

span

Headline text

Navigation menu

Search