WikiIslam:How to Edit: Difference between revisions

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<noinclude>{{pp|small=yes}}{{pp-move-indef}}</noinclude>
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{{short description|Project help page}}
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<!-- Please note that this is NOT the place to practice editing pages! Instead, please use Wikipedia's sandbox: click in the Search bar at the top of the page, type "Wikipedia:Sandbox" (without the quotes) and press the Return or Enter key on your keyboard. -->
{{about|how to edit Wikipedia in general|the editing policy|Wikipedia:Editing policy|information on how and where you can contribute|Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia|getting help from someone|Wikipedia:Questions}}
{{Wikipedia how-to|WP:HEP|H:EDIT|H:E}}
{{contributing to Wikipedia}}
[[File:Wikipedia video tutorial-1-Editing-en.ogv|thumb|250px|Editing tutorial for Wikipedia]]
[[File:Wikipedia video tutorial-1-Editing-en.ogv|thumb|250px|Editing tutorial for Wikipedia]]
{{side box|text='''Note''': You can use the [[Draft:Sandbox|sandbox]] to experiment with page editing.|imageright=[[File:Sandbox.svg|52px]]}}
[[Wikipedia|WikiIslam]] is a wiki, meaning it is made for anyone to edit, although currently . There are two editing interfaces: the new Visual Editor (VE) and classic wiki source editing (using the wiki markup language).
[[Wikipedia]] is a [[wiki]], meaning anyone can edit nearly any<ref name="protection"/> page and improve articles immediately. You do not need to register to do this, and anyone who has edited is known as a ''[[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedian]]'' or ''editor.'' Small edits add up, and every editor can be proud to have made Wikipedia better for all. There are two editing interfaces: the new [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]] (VE) and classic [[Help:Wikitext|wikitext]] editing (wiki markup).


== Editing articles ==
==Editing articles==
{{see also|Wikipedia:FAQ/Editing|Help:Introduction to editing with VisualEditor/1}}
{{see also|Wikipedia:FAQ/Editing|Help:Introduction to editing with VisualEditor/1}}
=== Content style and policies ===
===Content style and policies===
{{see also|Wikipedia:Core content policies}}
{{see also|Wikipedia:Core content policies}}
An [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Information style and tone|encyclopedic style]] with a [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Tone|formal tone]] is important: straightforward, [[Wikipedia:Summary style|just-the-facts]], instead of essay-like, argumentative, or opinionated. The goal of a Wikipedia article is to create a comprehensive and [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutrally written]] summary of existing mainstream knowledge about a topic. Wikipedia does not publish [[Wikipedia:No original research|original research]]. An encyclopedia is, by its nature, a [[tertiary source]] that provides a survey of information already published in the wider world. Ideally, all information should be [[Wikipedia:Citing sources|cited]] and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiable]] by [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|reliable sources]]. Sourcing requirements are significantly stricter in [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons|articles on living persons]].
An [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Information style and tone|encyclopedic style]] with a [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Tone|formal tone]] is important: straightforward, [[Wikipedia:Summary style|just-the-facts]], instead of essay-like, argumentative, or opinionated. The goal of a Wikipedia article is to create a comprehensive and [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutrally written]] summary of existing mainstream knowledge about a topic. Wikipedia does not publish [[Wikipedia:No original research|original research]]. An encyclopedia is, by its nature, a [[tertiary source]] that provides a survey of information already published in the wider world. Ideally, all information should be [[Wikipedia:Citing sources|cited]] and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiable]] by [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|reliable sources]]. Sourcing requirements are significantly stricter in [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons|articles on living persons]].
{{anchor|Edit window}}
{{anchor|Edit window}}
=== Edit screen(s) ===
===Edit screen(s)===
Editing most Wikipedia pages is simple. Wikipedia uses two interface methods: classic editing through [[Help:Wikitext|wikitext]] (wiki markup), and a new [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]] (VE). Wikitext editing is chosen by clicking the <kbd>Edit</kbd> tab at the top of a Wikipedia page (or on a [[Help:Section|section-edit link]]). This will take you to a new page containing the editable contents of the current page. Wikitext is used extensively throughout Wikipedia for such things as [[Help:Link|hyperlinks]], [[Help:Table|tables]] and [[Help:Columns|columns]], [[Help:Footnotes|footnotes]], [[Wikipedia:Inline citation|inline citation]], [[Help:Special characters|special characters]] and so on.
Editing most Wikipedia pages is simple. Wikipedia uses two interface methods: classic editing through [[Help:Wikitext|wikitext]] (wiki markup), and a new [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]] (VE). Wikitext editing is chosen by clicking the <kbd>Edit</kbd> tab at the top of a Wikipedia page (or on a [[Help:Section|section-edit link]]). This will take you to a new page containing the editable contents of the current page. Wikitext is used extensively throughout Wikipedia for such things as [[Help:Link|hyperlinks]], [[Help:Table|tables]] and [[Help:Columns|columns]], [[Help:Footnotes|footnotes]], [[Wikipedia:Inline citation|inline citation]], [[Help:Special characters|special characters]] and so on.


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Note: Do not sign the edit summary line with your <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> signature, as it does not work there.
Note: Do not sign the edit summary line with your <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> signature, as it does not work there.


==== Minor edits ====
====Minor edits====
{{further|Help:Minor edit}}
{{further|Help:Minor edit}}
[[File:Minor edit.png|thumb|upright|The "minor edit" checkbox (circled) in the wikitext editor]]
[[File:Minor edit.png|thumb|upright|The "minor edit" checkbox (circled) in the wikitext editor]]
A check to the "minor edit" box signifies that only superficial differences exist between the version with your edit and the previous version: typo/grammar corrections, formatting and presentational changes, rearranging of text without modifying content, etc. A ''minor edit'' is a version that the editor believes requires no review and could never be the subject of a dispute. The "minor edit" option is one of several [[Wikipedia:Why create an account?#New editing options|options]] available only to [[Help:Logging in|registered users]]. Editors should not feel that marking a change as minor devalues their effort to edit.
A check to the "minor edit" box signifies that only superficial differences exist between the version with your edit and the previous version: typo/grammar corrections, formatting and presentational changes, rearranging of text without modifying content, etc. A ''minor edit'' is a version that the editor believes requires no review and could never be the subject of a dispute. The "minor edit" option is one of several [[Wikipedia:Why create an account?#New editing options|options]] available only to [[Help:Logging in|registered users]]. Editors should not feel that marking a change as minor devalues their effort to edit.


==== Major edits ====
====Major edits====
{{further|Wikipedia:Editing policy#Talking and editing}}
{{further|Wikipedia:Editing policy#Talking and editing}}
All editors are encouraged to [[Wikipedia:Be bold|be bold]] and strong, but there are several things that a user can do to ensure that major edits are performed smoothly. Before engaging in a major edit, a user should consider discussing proposed changes on the article discussion/talk page. During the edit, if doing so over an extended period, the {{tlx|in use}} tag can reduce the likelihood of an edit conflict. Once the edit has been completed, the inclusion of an [[Help:Edit summary|edit summary]] will assist in documenting the changes. These steps will help all to ensure that major edits are well received by the Wikipedia community.
All editors are encouraged to [[Wikipedia:Be bold|be bold]] and strong, but there are several things that a user can do to ensure that major edits are performed smoothly. Before engaging in a major edit, a user should consider discussing proposed changes on the article discussion/talk page. During the edit, if doing so over an extended period, the {{tlx|in use}} tag can reduce the likelihood of an edit conflict. Once the edit has been completed, the inclusion of an [[Help:Edit summary|edit summary]] will assist in documenting the changes. These steps will help all to ensure that major edits are well received by the Wikipedia community.
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When performing a large edit, it is suggested that you periodically, and before pressing "Publish changes", copy your edits into an external text editor (preferably one without formatting, such as [[Windows Notepad]]). This ensures that in the case of a browser crash, you will not lose your work. If you are adding substantial amounts of work, it is also a good idea to publish changes in stages.
When performing a large edit, it is suggested that you periodically, and before pressing "Publish changes", copy your edits into an external text editor (preferably one without formatting, such as [[Windows Notepad]]). This ensures that in the case of a browser crash, you will not lose your work. If you are adding substantial amounts of work, it is also a good idea to publish changes in stages.


=== Adding references ===
===Adding references===
{{further|Help:Referencing for beginners|Wikipedia:Citing sources}}
{{further|Help:Referencing for beginners|Wikipedia:Citing sources}}
{{hatnote|Introductions: [[Help:Introduction to referencing with Wiki Markup/1]] and [[Help:Introduction to referencing with VisualEditor/1]]}}
{{hatnote|Introductions: [[Help:Introduction to referencing with Wiki Markup/1]] and [[Help:Introduction to referencing with VisualEditor/1]]}}
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There are a number of tools available to help with citation placement and formatting, some of which are internal tools and scripts, while others are available from external sites. For an example of the former, [[Wikipedia:RefToolbar|RefToolbar]] is a [[JavaScript]] toolbar displayed above the edit box that provides the ability to automatically fill out various [[Wikipedia:Citation templates|citation templates]] and insert them in the text already formatted inside <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code> ... <code><nowiki></ref></nowiki></code> tags. For an example of the latter, the [https://alyw234237.github.io/wiki-doi-gbooks-citation-maker/ Wikipedia DOI and Google Books Citation Maker] converts a [[digital object identifier]] (DOI) or [[Google Books]] address (URL) into a filled-out {{tl|cite journal}} or {{tl|cite book}} template ready to be pasted into an article. See [[Help:Citation tools]] for many others.
There are a number of tools available to help with citation placement and formatting, some of which are internal tools and scripts, while others are available from external sites. For an example of the former, [[Wikipedia:RefToolbar|RefToolbar]] is a [[JavaScript]] toolbar displayed above the edit box that provides the ability to automatically fill out various [[Wikipedia:Citation templates|citation templates]] and insert them in the text already formatted inside <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code> ... <code><nowiki></ref></nowiki></code> tags. For an example of the latter, the [https://alyw234237.github.io/wiki-doi-gbooks-citation-maker/ Wikipedia DOI and Google Books Citation Maker] converts a [[digital object identifier]] (DOI) or [[Google Books]] address (URL) into a filled-out {{tl|cite journal}} or {{tl|cite book}} template ready to be pasted into an article. See [[Help:Citation tools]] for many others.


=== Adding images, sounds, and videos ===
===Adding images, sounds, and videos===
{{main|Help:Creation and usage of media files}}
{{main|Help:Creation and usage of media files}}
{{hatnote|Introductions: [[Help:Introduction to images with Wiki Markup/1]] and [[Help:Introduction to images with VisualEditor/1]]}}
{{hatnote|Introductions: [[Help:Introduction to images with Wiki Markup/1]] and [[Help:Introduction to images with VisualEditor/1]]}}
A file that is already hosted on Wikipedia or the [[Wikimedia Commons]] can be inserted with the basic code <code><nowiki>[[File:FILENAME|thumb|DESCRIPTION]]</nowiki></code>. (<code>Image:</code> can be substituted for <code>File:</code> with no change in effect; the choice between the two is purely a matter of editorial preference.) Using <code>thumb</code> generates a [[thumbnail]] of an image (the most common placement option), which is typically sized differently from the original image. The Wikimedia Commons' [[Commons:Special:UploadWizard|File Upload Wizard]] and Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:File Upload Wizard|File Upload Wizard]] will guide you through the process of submitting media. There are various file formats available.
A file that is already hosted on Wikipedia or the [[Wikimedia Commons]] can be inserted with the basic code <code><nowiki>[[File:FILENAME|thumb|DESCRIPTION]]</nowiki></code>. (<code>Image:</code> can be substituted for <code>File:</code> with no change in effect; the choice between the two is purely a matter of editorial preference.) Using <code>thumb</code> generates a [[thumbnail]] of an image (the most common placement option), which is typically sized differently from the original image. The Wikimedia Commons' [[Commons:Special:UploadWizard|File Upload Wizard]] and Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:File Upload Wizard|File Upload Wizard]] will guide you through the process of submitting media. There are various file formats available.


== Article creation ==
==Article creation==
{{main|Help:Your first article}}
{{main|Help:Your first article}}
[[File:How to create a Wikipedia article - Right to science and culture.ogv|upright|thumb|A screencast demonstrating how to create a Wikipedia article manually. <small>(7:50 min)</small>]]
[[File:How to create a Wikipedia article - Right to science and culture.ogv|upright|thumb|A screencast demonstrating how to create a Wikipedia article manually. <small>(7:50 min)</small>]]
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An [[Wikipedia:Article wizard|Article Wizard]] is available to help you create articles — it is not required but will help you construct better articles. '''Note:''' The ability to create articles directly in mainspace [[Wikipedia:Autoconfirmed article creation trial/Request for comment on permanent implementation|is restricted]] to autoconfirmed users, though non-confirmed users and non-registered users can submit a proposed article through the [[Wikipedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] process, where it will be reviewed and considered for publication. Before creating an article, please [[Help:Searching|search]] Wikipedia first to make sure that an article does not already exist on the subject, and please also review the [[Wikipedia:Article titles|article titling policy]] for guidance on what to name the article.
An [[Wikipedia:Article wizard|Article Wizard]] is available to help you create articles — it is not required but will help you construct better articles. '''Note:''' The ability to create articles directly in mainspace [[Wikipedia:Autoconfirmed article creation trial/Request for comment on permanent implementation|is restricted]] to autoconfirmed users, though non-confirmed users and non-registered users can submit a proposed article through the [[Wikipedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] process, where it will be reviewed and considered for publication. Before creating an article, please [[Help:Searching|search]] Wikipedia first to make sure that an article does not already exist on the subject, and please also review the [[Wikipedia:Article titles|article titling policy]] for guidance on what to name the article.


== Talk pages ==
==Talk pages==
{{further|Help:Talk pages|Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|Help:Notifications}}
{{further|Help:Talk pages|Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|Help:Notifications}}
[[File:Editing basics - Talk pages.webm|thumb|upright|thumbtime=1|A screencast demonstrating how to use a talk page. <small>(2:43 min)</small>]]
[[File:Editing basics - Talk pages.webm|thumb|upright|thumbtime=1|A screencast demonstrating how to use a talk page. <small>(2:43 min)</small>]]
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:Sign your contributions to a Talk page by using four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>), which produces your username and a time/date stamp.
:Sign your contributions to a Talk page by using four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>), which produces your username and a time/date stamp.
{{anchor|Protected pages}}
{{anchor|Protected pages}}
== Protected pages and source code ==
==Protected pages and source code==
{{further|Wikipedia:Rough guide to semi-protection|Wikipedia:Protection policy|Wikipedia:Requests for page protection|Wikipedia:Lists of protected pages}}
{{further|Wikipedia:Rough guide to semi-protection|Wikipedia:Protection policy|Wikipedia:Requests for page protection|Wikipedia:Lists of protected pages}}
Some pages are [[Help:Protection|protected from editing]]. These pages have a "View&nbsp;source" tab instead of an "Edit" tab. You can still edit these pages indirectly by submitting an [[Wikipedia:Edit requests|edit request]]—an editor with the permission to edit the protected page will respond to it.
Some pages are [[Help:Protection|protected from editing]]. These pages have a "View&nbsp;source" tab instead of an "Edit" tab. You can still edit these pages indirectly by submitting an [[Wikipedia:Edit requests|edit request]]—an editor with the permission to edit the protected page will respond to it.
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To submit an edit request, click on the protected page's "View&nbsp;source" tab and then the "Submit an edit request" link at the bottom right.
To submit an edit request, click on the protected page's "View&nbsp;source" tab and then the "Submit an edit request" link at the bottom right.


== Policies and conventions ==
==Policies and conventions==
{{further|Wikipedia:Simplified ruleset|Wikipedia:Simplified Manual of Style}}
{{further|Wikipedia:Simplified ruleset|Wikipedia:Simplified Manual of Style}}
[[Wikipedia:List of policies|Policies]], [[Wikipedia:List of guidelines|guidelines]], and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Contents|formatting norms]] are developed by the community to describe the best practices, to clarify principles, resolve conflicts, and otherwise further our goals. Make sure that you submit information which is relevant to Wikipedia's specific purpose, or your content might be deleted. You can always use the [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]] to ask questions or check to see if your idea will be accepted. Please make note of which license will cover your contributions.
[[Wikipedia:List of policies|Policies]], [[Wikipedia:List of guidelines|guidelines]], and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Contents|formatting norms]] are developed by the community to describe the best practices, to clarify principles, resolve conflicts, and otherwise further our goals. Make sure that you submit information which is relevant to Wikipedia's specific purpose, or your content might be deleted. You can always use the [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]] to ask questions or check to see if your idea will be accepted. Please make note of which license will cover your contributions.


== Notes ==
==Notes==
<references>
<references>
<ref name="protection">
<ref name="protection">
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</references>
</references>


== See also ==
==See also==
{{help desk}}
{{help desk}}
{{portal|Contents|Help|Wikipedia}}
{{portal|Contents|Help|Wikipedia}}
{{meta}}
{{meta}}
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
;Helpful tips
;Helpful tips
* [[Help:Wikipedia: The Missing Manual/Editing, creating, and maintaining articles/Editing for the first time|Wikipedia: The Missing Manual—Editing for the first time]]
 
* [[Wikipedia:Article size#If you have problems editing a long article]]
*[[Help:Wikipedia: The Missing Manual/Editing, creating, and maintaining articles/Editing for the first time|Wikipedia: The Missing Manual—Editing for the first time]]
*[[Wikipedia:Article size#If you have problems editing a long article]]
*[[User:Cullen328/Smartphone editing|Smartphone editing (User essay)]]: a Wikipedia administrator's personal experiences and advice about phone editing
*[[User:Cullen328/Smartphone editing|Smartphone editing (User essay)]]: a Wikipedia administrator's personal experiences and advice about phone editing
;Naming and moving
;Naming and moving
* [[Wikipedia:Article titles]]
 
* [[Wikipedia:Moving a page|Moving a page to a new name]]
*[[Wikipedia:Article titles]]
* [[Wikipedia:Namespace]]
*[[Wikipedia:Moving a page|Moving a page to a new name]]
*[[Wikipedia:Namespace]]
 
;Style and layout
;Style and layout
* [[Wikipedia:Annotated article]]
 
* [[Wikipedia:Layout]]
*[[Wikipedia:Annotated article]]
* [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style]]
*[[Wikipedia:Layout]]
*[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style]]
 
;Tools
;Tools
* [[Draft:Sandbox]]
 
* [[Help:Text editor support]]
*[[Draft:Sandbox]]
* [[Wikipedia:Tools]]
*[[Help:Text editor support]]
*[[Wikipedia:Tools]]
 
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
;Related
;Related
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject]]: if you are writing an article about something that belongs to a group of topics, check here first!
 
* [[outreach:Bookshelf|Wikimedia Bookshelf]]: learning materials, videos, and handouts
*[[Wikipedia:WikiProject]]: if you are writing an article about something that belongs to a group of topics, check here first!
* [[Wikipedia:Glossary]]: a glossary for Wikipedia editors
*[[outreach:Bookshelf|Wikimedia Bookshelf]]: learning materials, videos, and handouts
*[[Wikipedia:Glossary]]: a glossary for Wikipedia editors
 
----
----
{{center|{{offer help}} }}
{{center|{{offer help}} }}

Revision as of 18:36, 15 October 2021


File:Wikipedia video tutorial-1-Editing-en.ogv
Editing tutorial for Wikipedia

WikiIslam is a wiki, meaning it is made for anyone to edit, although currently . There are two editing interfaces: the new Visual Editor (VE) and classic wiki source editing (using the wiki markup language).

Editing articles

See also: Wikipedia:FAQ/Editing

Content style and policies

See also: Wikipedia:Core content policies

An encyclopedic style with a formal tone is important: straightforward, just-the-facts, instead of essay-like, argumentative, or opinionated. The goal of a Wikipedia article is to create a comprehensive and neutrally written summary of existing mainstream knowledge about a topic. Wikipedia does not publish original research. An encyclopedia is, by its nature, a tertiary source that provides a survey of information already published in the wider world. Ideally, all information should be cited and verifiable by reliable sources. Sourcing requirements are significantly stricter in articles on living persons.

Edit screen(s)

Editing most Wikipedia pages is simple. Wikipedia uses two interface methods: classic editing through wikitext (wiki markup), and a new VisualEditor (VE). Wikitext editing is chosen by clicking the Edit tab at the top of a Wikipedia page (or on a section-edit link). This will take you to a new page containing the editable contents of the current page. Wikitext is used extensively throughout Wikipedia for such things as hyperlinks, tables and columns, footnotes, inline citation, special characters and so on.

The VisualEditor option is intended as a user-friendly, "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) editing aid, allowing one to edit pages without the need to learn wikitext markup. It is only available to registered logged-in users through an opt-in choice available through personal preferences, see the VisualEditor user guide for more information.

The Wikipedia community has developed style guidelines to make articles and facts appear in a standardized form, and Wikipedia easier to use as a whole. A basic list of wikitext can be found on the cheatsheet. An "edit toolbar" is provided just above the edit box (pictured below), which allows logged-in users (by selecting the option in personal preferences) to automatically place and format various aspects of wiki code. See Help:Wikitext for more information, remember that you can't break Wikipedia, and, although there are many protocols, perfection is not required, as Wikipedia is a work in progress.

When you have finished editing, you should write a short edit summary in the small field below the edit box (pictured below). You may use shorthand to describe your changes, as described in the legend. To see how the page looks with your edits, press the "Show preview" button. To see the differences between the page with your edits and the previous version of the page, press the "Show changes" button. If you're satisfied with what you see, be bold and press the "Publish changes" button. Your changes will immediately be visible to all Wikipedia users. Template:EditOptions Note: Do not sign the edit summary line with your ~~~~ signature, as it does not work there.

Minor edits

Template:Further

File:Minor edit.png
The "minor edit" checkbox (circled) in the wikitext editor

A check to the "minor edit" box signifies that only superficial differences exist between the version with your edit and the previous version: typo/grammar corrections, formatting and presentational changes, rearranging of text without modifying content, etc. A minor edit is a version that the editor believes requires no review and could never be the subject of a dispute. The "minor edit" option is one of several options available only to registered users. Editors should not feel that marking a change as minor devalues their effort to edit.

Major edits

Template:Further All editors are encouraged to be bold and strong, but there are several things that a user can do to ensure that major edits are performed smoothly. Before engaging in a major edit, a user should consider discussing proposed changes on the article discussion/talk page. During the edit, if doing so over an extended period, the {{in use}} tag can reduce the likelihood of an edit conflict. Once the edit has been completed, the inclusion of an edit summary will assist in documenting the changes. These steps will help all to ensure that major edits are well received by the Wikipedia community.

A major edit should be reviewed to confirm that it is consensual to all concerned editors. Therefore, any change that affects the meaning of an article is major (not minor), even if the edit is a single word.

There are no necessary terms to which you have to agree when doing major edits, but the preceding recommendations have become best practice. If you do it your own way, the likelihood of your edits being reedited may be higher.

When performing a large edit, it is suggested that you periodically, and before pressing "Publish changes", copy your edits into an external text editor (preferably one without formatting, such as Windows Notepad). This ensures that in the case of a browser crash, you will not lose your work. If you are adding substantial amounts of work, it is also a good idea to publish changes in stages.

Adding references

Template:Further Template:Hatnote

File:Citing sources tutorial, part 1.ogv
A screencast that walks through the essentials needed in citing your sources. (2:01 min)
File:RefTools rework.ogv
A screencast that walks through how to use the various features of RefTools. (5:03 min)

Generally, sources are added directly after the facts they support at the end of the sentence and after any punctuation. Wikipedia permits editors to use any citation system that allows the reader to understand where the information came from, and strongly encourages use of inline citations to do so. Common methods of placing inline citations include footnotes, shortened footnotes and parenthetical references.

Inline citations are most commonly placed by inserting a reference between <ref> ... </ref> tags, directly in the text of an article. The reference is a footnote, appearing as an inline link (e.g. [1][2]) to a particular item in a collated, numbered list of footnotes, found wherever a {{reflist}} template or <references /> tag is present, usually in a section titled "References" or "Notes". If you are creating a new page or adding references to a page that didn't previously have any, don't forget to add a references section with this display markup.

There are a number of tools available to help with citation placement and formatting, some of which are internal tools and scripts, while others are available from external sites. For an example of the former, RefToolbar is a JavaScript toolbar displayed above the edit box that provides the ability to automatically fill out various citation templates and insert them in the text already formatted inside <ref> ... </ref> tags. For an example of the latter, the Wikipedia DOI and Google Books Citation Maker converts a digital object identifier (DOI) or Google Books address (URL) into a filled-out {{cite journal}} or {{cite book}} template ready to be pasted into an article. See Help:Citation tools for many others.

Adding images, sounds, and videos

Template:Hatnote A file that is already hosted on Wikipedia or the Wikimedia Commons can be inserted with the basic code [[File:FILENAME|thumb|DESCRIPTION]]. (Image: can be substituted for File: with no change in effect; the choice between the two is purely a matter of editorial preference.) Using thumb generates a thumbnail of an image (the most common placement option), which is typically sized differently from the original image. The Wikimedia Commons' File Upload Wizard and Wikipedia's File Upload Wizard will guide you through the process of submitting media. There are various file formats available.

Article creation

File:How to create a Wikipedia article - Right to science and culture.ogv
A screencast demonstrating how to create a Wikipedia article manually. (7:50 min)

Before starting a new article, please understand Wikipedia's notability requirements. In short, the topic of an article must have already been the subject of publication in reliable sources, such as books published by major publishing houses, newspapers, magazines, peer-reviewed scholarly journals and websites that meet the same requirements as reputable print-based sources. Information on Wikipedia must be verifiable; if no reliable third-party sources can be found on a topic, then it should not have a separate article. Wikipedia's concept of notability applies this basic standard to avoid indiscriminate inclusion of topics.

An Article Wizard is available to help you create articles — it is not required but will help you construct better articles. Note: The ability to create articles directly in mainspace is restricted to autoconfirmed users, though non-confirmed users and non-registered users can submit a proposed article through the Articles for Creation process, where it will be reviewed and considered for publication. Before creating an article, please search Wikipedia first to make sure that an article does not already exist on the subject, and please also review the article titling policy for guidance on what to name the article.

Talk pages

Template:Further

File:Editing basics - Talk pages.webm
A screencast demonstrating how to use a talk page. (2:43 min)

Every article on Wikipedia has a talk page, reached by clicking the "Talk" tab just above the title (for example, Talk:Alexander the Great). There, editors can discuss improvements to the content of an article. If you ever make a change that gets reverted by another editor, discuss the change on the talk page! The BOLD, revert, discuss cycle is a popular method of reaching consensus. It is very important that you conduct yourself with civility and assume good faith on the part of others. Edit warring (repeatedly overriding or reimplementing contributions) is highly discouraged.

Most other types of pages on Wikipedia also have associated talk pages, including the User page each editor is assigned once they sign up. When other editors need to contact you, they will usually do this by leaving a message on your talk page. When someone has left you a message that way, you will see a notice the next time you log in or view a page on Wikipedia.

Sign your contributions to a Talk page by using four tildes (~~~~), which produces your username and a time/date stamp.

Protected pages and source code

Template:Further Some pages are protected from editing. These pages have a "View source" tab instead of an "Edit" tab. You can still edit these pages indirectly by submitting an edit request—an editor with the permission to edit the protected page will respond to it.

To submit an edit request, click on the protected page's "View source" tab and then the "Submit an edit request" link at the bottom right.

Policies and conventions

Template:Further Policies, guidelines, and formatting norms are developed by the community to describe the best practices, to clarify principles, resolve conflicts, and otherwise further our goals. Make sure that you submit information which is relevant to Wikipedia's specific purpose, or your content might be deleted. You can always use the talk pages to ask questions or check to see if your idea will be accepted. Please make note of which license will cover your contributions.

Notes

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "protection" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.

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