View source for Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia

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{{Information page|WP:CTW|WP:HOW}}
{{Contributing to Wikipedia}}
This page provides information and resources needed to comprehend, comment on, and edit [[Wikipedia]]. If you just want help with searching and browsing the encyclopedia, see [[Help:Navigation]]. If you want to contribute financially, see [[foundation:Donate|the donation page]].

==Wikipedia's purpose==
{{further information|Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not}}
[[File:Edit Button.ogv|thumb|thumbtime=0:42|upright|A short video about that "Edit" button and what it can do when '''you are bold!''' <small>(1:06 min)</small>]]
[[Wikipedia:Purpose|Our purpose]] is to create a [[web-based]], [[free content]] [[encyclopedia]] of all branches of knowledge, in an atmosphere of [[Wikipedia:Etiquette|mutual respect]] and [[Wikipedia:Consensus|cooperation]]. The [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is an encyclopedia|goal of a Wikipedia article]] is to create a comprehensive and [[WP:NPOV|neutrally written]] summary of existing mainstream knowledge about a topic. Editors are encouraged to '''''[[Wikipedia:Be bold|be bold]]''''' in editing in a fair and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|accurate manner]] with a straightforward, ''[[Wikipedia:Summary style|just-the-facts style]]''. Articles should have an [[Wikipedia:Encyclopedic style|encyclopedic style]] with a [[WP:TONE|formal tone]] instead of essay-like, argumentative, promotional, or opinionated writing. The '''[[Wikipedia:Five pillars|five pillars]]''' is a popular summary of the most pertinent [[Wikipedia:Principles|Wikipedia principles]].

==Getting started==
As a new editor, also known as a contributor, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer size and scope of [[Wikipedia:About|this project called Wikipedia]]. Don't worry too much if you don't understand everything at first, as it is acceptable to [[WP:COMMONSENSE|use common sense]] as you go about editing. Wikipedia not only allows you to create, revise, and edit articles, but it wants you to do so. You just need to remember that you can't break Wikipedia and although there are many protocols, [[WP:PERFECTION|perfection is not required]], as [[WP:WIP|Wikipedia is a work in progress]]. Collaborative editing means that incomplete or poorly written first drafts can [[Wikipedia:Article development|evolve over time into excellent articles]].

===Introductions and tutorials===
:''For a listing of introductions and tutorials by topic, see: [[Help:Getting started]]''
[[File:Editing Wikipedia brochure EN.pdf|link=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Editing_Wikipedia_brochure_EN.pdf|thumb|upright|A downloadable [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Editing_Wikipedia_brochure_EN.pdf "Editing Wikipedia guide"] in PDF form written by the staff at the Wikimedia Foundation]]

To achieve our goals, a wide range of [[WP:HOWTOPAGES|how-to and information pages]] are made available. Aside from this page, there are some other introductions (tutorials) to the project. The [[Help:Introduction|module introduction]]  is a step-by-step guide explaining what this place is all about and how to contribute. [[Wikipedia:The Wikipedia Adventure|The Wikipedia Adventure]] is a comprehensive 7-mission interactive guided tour, which covers all the essentials about editing and the [[Wikipedia:Expectations and norms of the Wikipedia community|expectations and norms of the Wikipedia community]]. For an extensive textbook see [[Help: Wikipedia: The Missing Manual]].

===Creating an account===
{{main article|Wikipedia:Why create an account?}}
You do not have to [[Special:Userlogin|log in]] to read Wikipedia. You do not even have to log in to edit articles on Wikipedia. [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|Just about]] anyone can edit [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|almost]] any article at any given time, even without logging in. However, creating an account is free of charge and has [[Wikipedia:Why create an account?|several benefits]] (for example, the ability to create pages, upload media and edit without one's IP address being visible to the public). To create an account in seconds, click '''[[Special:CreateAccount|Create account]]''' and fill out the few required fields. This will be [[Special:Log/newusers|logged]], your account will be created, and you will be provided with a link back to this page.

==Community protocols and conventions==
{{main|Wikipedia:Administration}}
:''Policy and Guideline: [[Wikipedia:Civility]] and [[Wikipedia:Etiquette]]''
:''How to pages: [[Help:Introduction to policies and guidelines]] and [[Wikipedia:Simplified ruleset]]''

[[File:The Impact Of Wikipedia.webm|thumbtime=0:14|upright|thumb|A video that articulates the diversity and enthusiasm of the Wikipedia Community by editors like you. <small>(4:10 min)</small>]]
Wikipedia [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a bureaucracy|does not employ hard-and-fast rules]], and there is no need to read any page before editing. However, [[WP:COPYOTHERS|some standards]] and [[WP:Enforcement|behavioural expectations may be enforced]]. General [[Wikipedia:Etiquette|social norms]] should be followed by all [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedia editors]]. The [[Wikipedia community]] is made up of people from different countries and cultures, with different views, perspectives, opinions, and backgrounds, sometimes varying widely. Editors should treat each other respectfully, work together collegially, and avoid behaviour that would be widely seen as [[Wikipedia:Here to build an encyclopedia|unacceptable]], [[Wikipedia:Disruptive editing|disruptive]], [[Wikipedia:Tendentious editing|tendentious]], or [[Wikipedia:Gaming the system|dishonest]]. 

[[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. [[Wikipedia:The rules are principles|These rules are principles]], not laws, on Wikipedia. To varying degrees, policies, and guidelines exist as rough approximations of their underlying principles. They are {{em|not}} intended as inflexible, controlling statutes on any set of norms or practices under all circumstances, nor to exhaustively define all matters within their ambit. They must be understood in context, using [[WP:COMMONSENSE|common sense]] and [[WP:IAR|discretion]]. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia and, as a means to that end, an online community of individuals interested in building and using a high-quality encyclopedia. Therefore, there are certain things that [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|Wikipedia is not]] and [[Wikipedia:Avoiding common mistakes|common mistakes that should be avoided]].

===Discussion and consensus===
:''Guideline page: [[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines]]''
:''How to pages: [[Help:Introduction to talk pages]] and [[Help:Using talk pages]]''
[[File:Editing basics - Talk pages.webm|thumb|upright|thumbtime=1|A screencast demonstrating how to use a talk page. <small>(2:43 min)</small>]]
Behind the scenes of Wikipedia articles, there is a large community of [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is a volunteer service|volunteer editors]] working to build the encyclopedia. It is not uncommon for editors to disagree about the way forward. That is when [[Wikipedia:Discussion|discussion]] and attempts to reach [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]] should take place. Every article on Wikipedia has a [[Wikipedia:Talk pages|talk page]], reached by clicking the <samp>Talk</samp> tab just above the title (for example, [[Talk:Evolution]]). There, editors can discuss improvements to the content of an article. You can participate too! If you ever make a change that gets [[Wikipedia:Reverting|reverted]] by another editor, discuss the change on the talk page! The [[Wikipedia:BOLD, revert, discuss cycle|BOLD, revert, discuss cycle]] is a popular method of reaching consensus and may be useful for identifying objections, keeping discussion moving forward and helping to break deadlocks. Some editors will see any reversion as a challenge, so be considerate and patient. While discussing matters, it is very important that you conduct yourself with [[WP:Civility|civility]] and [[WP:AGF|assume good faith]] on the part of others. [[Wikipedia:Edit warring|Edit warring]] (repeatedly overriding or reimplementing contributions) is highly discouraged. There is a bright-line rule called the ''[[WP:3RR|three-revert rule]]'', the violation of which may lead someone to be [[WP:BLOCK|blocked]] from editing to prevent further disruption. [[WP:DISRUPTSIGNS|Disruptive editing]] is not always intentional, as new editors may simply not understand [[Wikipedia:Here to build an encyclopedia|the ins and outs of Wikipedia]].

Most other [[Wikipedia:Namespace|types of pages]] on Wikipedia also have associated talk pages, including the [[WP:User page|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 [[Special:mytalk|your user ''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.

There are many other types of discussions that take place on Wikipedia. For example: [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|Articles for deletion]] is where editors discuss whether or not an article should be [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|deleted]] (or kept, [[Wikipedia:Merging|merged]] or [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirected]] to another article, etc.); [[Wikipedia:Requested move|requested moves]] is the launching point for debating the retitling of pages; and the [[Wikipedia:Village pump|village pump]] is a centralized area for discussion where editors debate various aspects of the encyclopedia project, such as [[Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)|proposals for new features]], [[Wikipedia:Village pump (policy)|policy changes]] and [[Wikipedia:Village pump (technical)|technical issues]].

==The basics of contributing==
:''Policy page: [[Wikipedia:Editing policy]]''
{{see also|Wikipedia:FAQ/Contributing|Wikipedia:FAQ/Editing}}
[[File:Great Feeling.ogv|thumb|upright|thumbtime=1:22|A short video about the satisfaction editors get from contributing. <small>(1:23 min)</small>]]
Wikipedia is the product of thousands of editors' contributions, each one bringing something different to the table, whether it be: researching skills, technical expertise, writing prowess or tidbits of information, but most importantly a willingness to help. [[WP:OWN|Nobody owns articles]], so if you see a problem that you can fix, do so. Everyone is encouraged to [[Wikipedia:How to copyedit|copyedit articles]], add content and create new articles if they have knowledge about the topic at hand or are willing to do the necessary research to improve it. Although you should use a broad vocabulary of regular, non-technical terms, do not use words or expressions that many readers may not know. If an article is [[Wikipedia:Make technical articles understandable|written in a highly technical manner]], but the material permits a more understandable explanation, then editors are strongly recommended to rewrite it.

===Article development and content protocols===
{{main article|Wikipedia:Article development|Wikipedia:Core content policies}}
{{see also|Wikipedia:Writing better articles|Wikipedia:Basic copyediting}}
Articles make up the bulk of Wikipedia's [[WP:MAINSPACE|mainspace]]. Each article is on one [[Topic-comment|topic]] (rather than a word and its definition, which usually belong in Wikimedia's dictionary project called [[Wiktionary]]). Wikipedia does not publish [[WP:NOR|original research]]. An encyclopedia is, by its nature, a [[tertiary source]] that provides a survey of information already the subject of publication in the wider world. Accordingly, and because Wikipedia is open to editing by anyone, we require that information be [[WP:Verify|verifiable]] in [[Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources|reliable sources]]. Ideally, all information should be ''[[WP:REFB|cited]]'' to reliable sources and to evidence that is verifiable. However, we only mandate citations for quotations, material whose verifiability has been challenged or is [[WP:CHALLENGE|likely to be challenged]] and contentious material, whether negative, positive, or neutral, about living persons. Sourcing requirements are significantly stricter in such [[WP:BLP|articles on living persons]]. Please note though that we strongly discourage people from writing about themselves, their friends, bands, websites, companies or organizations, pet projects, personal vendettas, campaigns and any other topic in which they have a [[WP:COI|conflict of interest]].

[[File:Evaluating Wikipedia brochure.pdf|link=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Evaluating_Wikipedia_brochure.pdf|thumb|upright|A brochure in PDF form by the Wikimedia Foundation about how articles evolve, elements of good quality articles,
and signs of poor quality articles.]]
The quality of Wikipedia articles varies widely; many are very good, but some lack depth and clarity, contain bias or are out of date. In general, high-quality articles have these elements: a [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section|lead section]] that gives an easy-to-understand overview, a [[WP:STRUCTURE|clear structure]], [[WP:BALANCE|balanced coverage]], [[WP:YESPOV|neutral content]], and are based upon [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiable information]] found in [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|reliable sources]].

[[Wikipedia:Featured content]] represents the best of what Wikipedia has to offer. These are the articles, pictures, and other contributions that showcase the polished result of the collaborative efforts that drive Wikipedia. All "featured" content undergoes a thorough [[Wikipedia:Featured article review|review process]] to ensure that it meets the highest standards summarized at [[Wikipedia:Featured article criteria|featured article standards]], and can serve as an example of our end goals. A "[[Wikipedia:Featured articles|featured article]]" or "[[Wikipedia:Featured lists|list]]" is indicated by the symbol ({{icon|FA}}) in the top right corner of a page. "[[Wikipedia:Good articles|Good articles]]" are those that are considered to be of fairly high quality, having undergone a similar but less rigorous [[Wikipedia:Good article criteria|review process]] to meet the [[Wikipedia:Good article criteria|good article criteria]]. The symbol ({{icon|GA}}) in the top right corner of a page indicates "good article" status.

Some of Wikipedia's most important topics are listed at [[Wikipedia:Vital articles]]. You can look at the table of contents on that page to choose a subject category you know about or are interested in. Choose an article, try to improve it so it matches the [[Wikipedia:Good article criteria|good article criteria]] or even better yet the [[WP:FACR|featured article criteria]], which provide models for ideal content and structure. An important way you can help is by creating [[Wikipedia:Requested articles|requested articles]].

====How to edit====
:'' Introductions: [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor/User guide|Editing with VisualEditor]] and [[Help:Editing|Editing with wiki markup]]''
{{Side box|text='''Note''': You can use the [[Wikipedia:Sandbox|public sandbox]] or [[Special:MyPage/sandbox|your private sandbox]] to experiment with page editing.|imageright=[[File:Sandbox.svg|52px]]}}
[[File:Wikipedia video tutorial-1-Editing-en.ogv|thumb|upright|Editing tutorial for Wikipedia using classic wiki markup. <small>(3:07 min)</small>]]
Editing most Wikipedia pages is relatively simple. Wikipedia uses two methods of editing: classic editing through [[Help:Wiki markup|wiki markup]] (wikitext) and through a newer [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]] (VE). Wiki markup editing is chosen by clicking the <samp>Edit</samp> tab at the top of a Wikipedia page (or on a [[Wikipedia: Section|section-edit link]]). This will take you to a new page with a text box containing the editable text of the page you were viewing. In this box, you can type in the text that you want to add, using wiki markup to format the text and add other elements like images and tables. You should then press the <samp>Show preview</samp> button to review your contributions for any errors. When you have finished editing, you should write a short [[Help:Edit summary|edit summary]] in the small field below the edit box describing your changes before you press the <samp>Publish changes</samp> button. This will help others to understand the intention of your edit. To avoid accidentally leaving edit summaries blank, you can select "Prompt me when entering a blank edit summary" on the <samp>Editing</samp> tab of your [[Special:Preferences|personal preferences]].

The VisualEditor option is intended as a user-friendly, [[WYSIWYG|"What You See Is What You Get"]] (WYSIWYG) editor, allowing one to edit pages without the need to learn wikitext markup. Logged-in users can opt in through [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-betafeatures|personal preferences]], see the [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor/User guide|VisualEditor user guide]] for more information. Anonymous editors get the classic editor by default, but can switch.

<gallery mode=packed class=center heights=200 caption="Two editing environments: wikitext and VisualEditor" style="font-size:90%">
File:How to edit a page Edit box.png|alt=Text in a large rectangle below two toolbars and next to a scrollbar.|Edit box showing the [[Help:wiki markup|wiki markup]]. You can change the formatting and contents of the page by changing what is written in this box.
File:Wikipedia article in VisualEditor 2018-02-12.png|alt=|Screenshot showing the same article in [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]]. Unlike the wiki markup display, VisualEditor will show the text being edited almost as if it were already published.
</gallery>

Some pages are [[WP:Protection policy|protected from direct editing]], at differing levels of restriction. The three chief types, in order from most to least common, are:
* [[Wikipedia:Protection policy#Semi-protection|Semi-protected]] pages, which cannot be edited directly by [[Wikipedia:User access levels#Unregistered users|unregistered users]] ([[IP address]]es), as well as accounts that are not [[Wikipedia:User access levels#Autoconfirmed users|autoconfirmed]] (accounts that are at least four days old and have made at least ten edits to Wikipedia), or that are not [[Wikipedia:User access levels#Confirmed users|confirmed]]. This is normal for pages which would otherwise be vandalized particularly frequently.
* [[Wikipedia:Protection policy#Extended confirmed protection|Extended confirmed-protected]] pages, also known as 30/500 protection, which only allows direct edits by editors with the [[Wikipedia:User access levels#Extendedconfirmed|extended confirmed]] user access level, granted automatically to registered users with at least 30 days tenure and 500 edits. Articles about major, contentious events are likely to get this protection level for a short period.
* [[Wikipedia:Protection policy#Full protection|Fully-protected]] pages, which can only be edited directly by [[Wikipedia:Administrators|administrators]]. It is very unusual for an article to need this level of protection, but you can see it on key internal pages like [[Template:Cite web|the citation system]].

When you are subject to any of these three levels of protection, you will see a <samp>View source</samp> tab instead of an <samp>Edit</samp> tab. You can still seek changes to these pages, by submitting an "[[Wikipedia:Edit requests|edit request]]"&nbsp;– a user with the ability to edit the protected page will respond to your request. You can submit a request by clicking on the <samp>View source</samp> tab on that page and using the "Submit an edit request" link at the bottom right. See [[Help:Protection]] for more information.

====Documenting sources====
:''Guideline pages: [[Wikipedia:Citing sources]] and [[Wikipedia:References dos and don'ts]] ''
:'' Introductions: [[Help:Introduction to referencing|Help:Introduction to referencing (wiki markup)]] and [[Help:Introduction to referencing (VE)/1|Help:Introduction to referencing (VisualEditor)]]''
:'' How to pages: [[Help:Footnotes]] and [[Help:Find sources]] ''
[[File:Citing sources tutorial, part 1.ogv|thumb|upright|A screencast that walks through the essentials needed in citing your sources. <small>(2:01 min)</small>]]
This is an encyclopedia, so remember that it's a necessity to include [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#When and why to cite sources|references]] listing [[WP:IRS|reliable]] websites, newspapers, articles, books and other sources you have used to write or expand articles. Please understand that these sources should [[WP:V|verify]] the information but you must not [[Wikipedia:Copy-paste|copy and paste text]] you find anywhere, except for short quotations, marked as such with quote marks and carefully cited to the source the quote was taken from. New articles and statements added to existing articles may be deleted by others if [[Wikipedia:Verification methods|unreferenced or referenced poorly]] or if they are [[Wikipedia:Copyright violations|copyright violations]]. 

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 [[Wikipedia:Inline citation|inline citations]] to do so. Common methods of placing inline citations include [[Wikipedia:Footnotes|footnotes]], [[Help:Shortened footnotes|shortened footnotes]] and [[Wikipedia:Harvard references|parenthetical references]].

Inline citations are most commonly placed by inserting a reference between <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code> ... <code><nowiki></ref></nowiki></code> tags, directly in the text of an article. After publishing changes, it will ''display'' in the article as a footnote (e.g.<small><sup style="color:#002BB8">[1][2]</sup></small>), and the source you keyed in will appear on the page in a collated, numbered list corresponding to the footnote numbers in the text, wherever a {{tl|Reflist}} template or <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code> 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.

[[File:RefTools rework.ogv|thumb|right|upright|A screencast that walks through how to use the various features of RefTools. <small>(5:03 min)</small>]]

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 formatting 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.

At the moment, there are over {{PAGESINCATEGORY:All articles with unsourced statements}} articles that have [[Wikipedia:Citation needed|statements that need citations]]. The tool [https://tools.wmflabs.org/citationhunt/en Citation Hunt] makes referencing those statements easier by suggesting random articles which you can work on. Practice adding references to Wikipedia by helping us solve a "Citation needed":

====Markup, formatting, and layout====
:''Guideline pages: [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout]] and [[Wikipedia:Styletips]]''
:''How to pages: [[Help:Wiki markup]], [[Help:Cheatsheet]] and [[Help:HTML in wikitext]]''
Complicated articles may be best modeled on the layout of an existing article of appropriate structure and topic. [[Wiki markup]] is the syntax and keywords used by the [[MediaWiki]] software to format a page. Wiki markup 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. An [[Help:Edit toolbar|"edit toolbar"]] (''as pictured below'') is provided just above the edit box, which will allow logged in users (by selecting the option in [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets|personal preferences]]) to automatically place and format various aspects of wiki code. Many [[HTML]] tags can be used in wiki markup. You can check your HTML by using [[Help:Markup validation|markup validation]].
[[File:WikiEditor-advanced menu-en.png|center]]

===Article creation and notability===
{{main article|Wikipedia: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>]]
Before [[Wikipedia:Starting an article|starting a new article]], please read and try to understand [[Wikipedia:Notability|Wikipedia's notability requirements]]. In short, the topic of an article must have already been the subject of publication in [[WP:IRS|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 [[Wikipedia:Third-party sources|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 [[WP:INDISCRIMINATE|indiscriminate]] inclusion of topics.

An [[Wikipedia:Article wizard|Article Wizard]] is available to help you create articles — it is not required but will help you construct better articles. The ability to create articles directly in mainspace [[WP:ACPERM|is now restricted]] to autoconfirmed users, though non-confirmed 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 [[Wikipedia: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 of what to name the article. Further information is provided at [[Wikipedia:Your first article]] and [[Wikipedia:How to write a great article]], and please consider taking a tour through the [[Wikipedia:Tutorial]] so that you know how to properly format the article's content before creation.

===Renaming and page deletion===
{{main article|Wikipedia:Moving a page|Wikipedia:Guide to deletion}}
[[File:Vector hidden move button.png|upright|thumb|The [[WP:MOVE|move]] option in the Vector [[WP:SKIN|skin]] appears when you move your mouse cursor over the small drop-down menu, shown here.]]
Wikipedia pages can be renamed by ''moving the page'' to a new title. This is done by clicking on the <samp>Move</samp> tab at the top of the page (you need to be registered and an [[WP:AUTOCONFIRM|'autoconfirmed']] user to be able to do this). Before you do so, please carefully review [[Wikipedia:Moving a page#Before moving a page|this checklist of things to consider before a page move]]. The main principles for choosing an article title are described at [[Wikipedia:Article titles]]. Do not move or rename a page by copying and pasting its content to a different title. Doing so fragments the [[Wikipedia:Edit history|edit history]] and [[Wikipedia:Copying within Wikipedia|Wikipedia's copyright licenses]] requires attribution of all contributors. You may not always be able to move a page yourself and should refrain from doing so even if there is no technical impediment, where the rename would be considered controversial and thus should be discussed first. Technical limitations restricting direct moves include where the page is [[WP:MOVP|move protected]], the target page is at a title [[WP:SALT|protected from creation]], or already exists and cannot be [[WP:MOR|moved over a redirect]]. In such cases, and to list potentially controversial moves for discussion, please see [[Wikipedia:Requested moves]] for more information.

While almost anyone can edit and move articles, to keep things manageable, only [[Wikipedia:Administrators|administrators]] can delete them. Note that removing all text from a page does not delete it, it just leaves a blank page, which is discouraged as it is confusing to readers. For all the gritty details, see the [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|deletion policy]] and [[Wikipedia:How to delete a page|how to delete a page]]. Please remember that the deletion process is about the appropriateness of the article for [[WP:NOTEVERYTHING|inclusion in Wikipedia]]. Therefore, please do not take it personally if an article you've contributed to or created is [[Wikipedia:How to save an article proposed for deletion|currently nominated for deletion]] or is already deleted. For the reasons why and the options available for [[Wikipedia:Viewing and restoring deleted pages|retrieving data from deleted articles]], see [[Wikipedia:Why was the page I created deleted?|why was the page I created deleted?]] If the page is in [[Wikipedia:User pages|your own user space]] (for example, starts with "User:YourName/" or "User talk:YourName/"), then you can request immediate deletion of the page at any time. Simply edit the page while logged in and put the template <code><nowiki>{{db-u1}}</nowiki></code> at the top of the page. An administrator will see that you added the template to a page in your user or user talk namespace and will delete it in most cases.

===Images, sounds, and videos===
:'' Overview: [[Wikipedia:Image dos and don'ts]]''
:'' How to pages: [[Wikipedia:Media help]] and [[Wikipedia:Picture tutorial]]''
:'' Introductions: [[Help:Introduction to uploading images/1|Help:Introduction uploading images]] and [[Help:Introduction to images (VE)/1|Help:Introduction to images (VisualEditor)]]''
:'' See also: [[Help:Sound file markup|Help:Visual file markup]]''
[[File:Editing basics - Uploading and adding images.webm|thumb|upright|A screencast that walks through how to upload files to Wikimedia Commons and add them to Wikipedia articles. <small>(3:00 min)</small>]]
[[File:Illustrating Wikipedia brochure.pdf|link=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Illustrating_Wikipedia_brochure.pdf|thumb|upright|A Wikimedia Foundation brochure in PDF form that introduces newcomers to Wikimedia Commons and how they can contribute to it.]]
Images, sounds, and videos enhance articles greatly. 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. Several options can affect a thumbnail's placement and size, and there are other methods for placing images not in a thumbnail format, such as in a frame, table or "infobox", which this summary page does not delve into.

Only [[Help:Logging in|logged in]] users can [[Help:Files|upload files]] under an [[Wikipedia:File names|appropriate title]]. The first step in uploading a file is to determine its [[Wikipedia:Copyrights|copyright status]]. If a file is in the [[public domain]], or bears a type of free copyright license [[WP:COMPLIC|compatible]] with the non-restrictive licenses we require for free reuse, then it can and should be uploaded to the Commons rather than locally to Wikipedia, so that all Wikimedia sites, including Wikipedias in [[mw:List of Wikipedias|other languages]], have access to it. If the image is [[Wikipedia:Non-free content|non-free]] then it cannot be uploaded to the Commons, but you may be able to upload it directly here at Wikipedia, if it meets our stringent [[WP:NFCC|standards for a claim of fair use]] in a particular article. Please ensure that the copyright status of any file you upload has been specified and we are [[Wikipedia:Image use policy|allowed to use it on Wikipedia]]. 

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. All files uploaded are [[mirror (computing)|mirrored]] between Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, and searchable from either one. There are various file formats available. For images, [[SVG]], [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]], [[JPEG]], [[XCF (file format)|XCF]], [[Graphics Interchange Format|GIF]] and [[Tagged Image File Format|TIFF]] formats are recognized (other image formats may be as well). For audio, use [[MIDI]], or [[Ogg]] with [[FLAC]], [[Speex]], or [[Vorbis]] codecs. For video, use Ogg with the [[Theora]] video codec.

Wikipedia has a [[Wikipedia:Graphic Lab|Graphics Lab]], which aims to improve graphical content already stored on Wikimedia Commons and English Wikipedia. There is also [[Wikipedia:Requested pictures]] – a collection of wanted images. High-quality images may be submitted for consideration as [[Wikipedia:Featured pictures|featured pictures]] if they meet the [[Wikipedia:Featured picture criteria|featured picture criteria]]. To help with sounds, go to [[Wikipedia:Requested recordings]] and see if you can fulfill any of the requests while trying to meet the [[Wikipedia:Featured sound criteria|featured sound criteria]]. There is also [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Spoken Wikipedia|spoken Wikipedia project]], which aims to produce recordings of Wikipedia articles being read aloud.

===Lists, tables, and templates===
:''Guideline page: [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lists]]''
:'' How to pages: [[Help:List]], [[Help:Table/Introduction to tables|Introduction to tables]] and [[Help:Template]]''
Lists are essential to the organization and presentation of content on Wikipedia. Lists in articles and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Stand-alone lists|stand-alone lists]] are subject to Wikipedia's content policies and guidelines if they contain any of the [[WP:MINREF|four kinds of material absolutely required to have citations]]. [[Wikipedia:Outlines|Outlines on Wikipedia]] are a specific type of stand-alone lists designed to help a reader learn about a subject quickly, by showing what topics it includes, and how those topics are related to each other.

[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Tables|Tables on Wikipedia]] are a commonly-used way of displaying information, particularly in articles that contain data. Tables are also subject to [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia in brief|Wikipedia's policies of verifiability and established facts]]. The simplest way to insert a table is with the [[Help:Edit toolbar|editing toolbar]]. Although HTML table syntax also works, [[Help:Table|special wikicode]] can be used as a shortcut to create a table. The pipe ([[vertical bar]]) codes function exactly the same as [[HTML table]] markup, so a knowledge of HTML table code helps in understanding pipe code.

[[File:Introduction to templates on Wikipedia.webm|thumb|upright|A basic overview of how templates work <small>(8:00 min)</small>]]

[[Wikipedia:Template namespace|Templates]] are used throughout Wikipedia pages to promote consistency, display enriched content with ease, and avoid the necessity of duplicating material that is used over and over across numerous articles and pages. At its most basic, a template is a Wikipedia page created to be included in other pages. Common uses include to display [[Wikipedia:Template messages|notices]], [[Help:Infobox|infoboxes]], [[WP:Navbox|navigational boxes]], standard warnings, special text formatting, unit conversions, calculations and many other purposes. The most common method of inclusion is called [[Wikipedia:Transclusion|transclusion]], where the wikitext of the target page contains a reference to the template, using the <code><nowiki>{{Template&nbsp;name}}</nowiki></code> syntax.

To help improve Wikipedia's lists, first find one that interests you at [[Portal:Contents/Lists of topics]] or [[Portal:Contents/Outlines]] and then help it match the [[Wikipedia:Featured list criteria|featured list criteria]]. Ideas for creating a list may be explored at [[Wikipedia:Requested lists]]. See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Lists/Article alerts|Wikipedia:Lists article alerts]] for details of ongoing tasks and talks about lists. To help with templates see [[Wikipedia:Template standardisation]].

==Collaboration groups==
{{further information|Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Directory}}
[[File:Nice People MEDIUM.ogv|thumb|thumbtime=3:52|upright|A short video about people like you who edit Wikipedia. <small>(1:26 min)</small>]]
[[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProjects]] are social groups of contributors (anyone may join them), who work together as a team to improve Wikipedia. These groups often focus on a specific topic area (for example, [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Women's History|women's history]]) or a specific kind of task (for example, [[Wikipedia:New pages patrol|checking newly created pages]]). WikiProjects function as a central hub for editor collaboration and the organization of specific topics. Many large WikiProjects have collected some [[WP:Advice pages|advice about how to apply Wikipedia's policies, guidelines, and essays]] to their specific subject area (for example, [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history/Notability guide|military history notability guide]]). The English Wikipedia currently has over [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Directory|2,000 WikiProjects]] and they all have a variety of tasks to get done (for example, [[Wikipedia:Canadian wikipedians' notice board/Articles to improve|Canadian articles to improve]]).

==Maintenance tasks, news, and discussions ==

{{main article|Wikipedia:Dashboard||Wikipedia:Maintenance|Wikipedia:Task Center}}
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*[https://tools.wmflabs.org/copypatrol/en Copyvios']
*[[Special:NewPagesFeed |New pages]]
*[[Special:NewFiles|New files]]
*[[Special:RecentChanges|Recent edits]]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&contribs=newbie New editors]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:RecentChanges&userExpLevel=unregistered IP's edits]
*[[Wikipedia:Dashboard|Discussions]]
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The [[Wikipedia:Community portal|community portal]] is a central location to find (and list) collaborations, tasks, and news about the English Wikipedia. The [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost|Wikipedia Signpost]] is a weekly, community-written and edited newspaper that covers stories, events, and reports related to Wikipedia. Contribute your opinions to [[WP:noticeboards]] in order to have a say in decisions and help come to consensus on certain issues. Posting a message to a noticeboard can also be an appropriate early step in [[WP:DR|resolving disputes on Wikipedia]]. For a listing of ongoing discussions, see the [[Wikipedia:Dashboard]].

Helpful editorial maintenance tasks include [[Special:NewPagesFeed|reviewing new pages]], [[Wikipedia:Requested articles|creating requested articles]], [[:Category:Wikipedia requested edits|responding to edit requests]] and assisting with [[Wikipedia:Pages needing translation into English|translation requests]]. Other maintenance tasks include [https://tools.wmflabs.org/citationhunt fixing unreferenced statements], [[:Category:Articles that may contain original research|fixing original research]], [[Wikipedia:Vandalism|fixing vandalism]], [[Wikipedia:Welcoming committee|welcoming newcomers]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Red Link Recovery|link recovery]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Categories/uncategorized|categorization]], [[:Category:Wikipedia articles needing copy edit|fixing spelling and grammar errors]], and numerous behind the scenes tasks like [[Wikipedia:Moving files to Commons|moving free images to Wikimedia Commons]] and [[Wikipedia:Dashboard|helping others]]. See [[Wikipedia:Maintenance]] for maintenance and related collaboration resources, and the [[Wikipedia:Task Center|Task Center]] for a newcomer-friendly list of tasks.

==Editing aids==
{{main article|Wikipedia:Customisation}}
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| heading1=[[Wikipedia:Tools/Editing tools|Editing tools]]
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*[https://tools.wmflabs.org/dispenser/view/Dab_solver Dab solver]
*[https://tools.wmflabs.org/dispenser/view/Dablinks Disambig links]
*[https://tools.wmflabs.org/dispenser/view/Rdcheck Redirect check]
*[https://citer.toolforge.org/ Cite generator]
*[https://tools.wmflabs.org/makeref/ MakeRef]
*[https://tools.wmflabs.org/refill/ Refill]
}}
In addition to the previously mentioned editing aids and [[Help:Edit toolbar|edit toolbar]], there are many other "Gadgets", "Tools", "Scripts" and "Bots" intended to simplify, make more efficient, or provide additional functionality to Wikipedians. "[[Wikipedia:Gadget|Wikipedia Gadgets]]" are [[JavaScript]] and/or a [[Cascading Style Sheets|CSS]] snippets that can be enabled by checking an option in [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets|your preferences]]. Many of the "[[Wikipedia:Tools|Wikipedia Tools]]" are hosted on external sites and perform a variety of task such as [https://tools.wmflabs.org/refill/ reFill], that edits references by adding basic information to bare URLs in citations. "[[Wikipedia:User scripts|Wikipedia User scripts]]" is a collection of JavaScript tools that, after installation in a user's [[Special:MyPage/common.js|common.js file]], allow users to change Wikipedia's interface beyond the options available in preferences. "[[Wikipedia:Bots|Wikipedia Bots]]" are automated or semi-automated programs that perform repetitive and/or mundane tasks; they require [[Wikipedia:Bots/Requests for approval|approval before they may operate]].

==Help resources and interactive assistance==
{{main article|Help:Contents|Wikipedia:Questions}}
The [[Help:About the help pages |help resource system of Wikipedia]] consists of a wide variety of [[WP:HOWTOPAGES|how-to and information pages]], written to differing levels of technical expertise and in widely varying styles. This variety, however, has its flaws: it is easy to navigate to a page that regurgitates the same information, contains concepts that have not already been covered, or is overly complicated for one's needs. In short, the effects can be quite frustrating at times. To browse help related pages see the [[Help:Menu|help menu]] or [[Help:Contents/Directory|help directory]]. Or you can use the search box at [[Help:contents]] (accessed at any time by clicking "Help" displayed on the left side of all pages). As mentioned above there is also a copy of a comprehensive published book, at [[Help:Wikipedia: The Missing Manual|Wikipedia: The Missing Manual]].

Don't worry if you do get stuck, witness disruptive editing or are involved in a dispute; there are volunteers available to assist you. There are a number of help forums and services which allow users to ask questions, seek assistance, ask for administrative intervention and similar matters. For general matters related to using and editing Wikipedia, forums include the [[Wikipedia:Help desk|help desk]], the [[WP:TH/Q|Teahouse]], posting the template {{tl|help me}} to your talk page or to an article's talk page, as well as a live assistance IRC channel at [[Wikipedia:Help desk/chat|#wikipedia-en-help]]. More specific help forums include [[Wikipedia:Media copyright questions]], [[Wikipedia:Requested templates]], and [[Wikipedia:Translation|requests for translation]]. To seek administrative assistance, [[Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents]] is for reporting serious incidents requiring administrative assistance and [[Wikipedia:Administrator intervention against vandalism]] is for reporting continuing simple vandalism, after [[Wikipedia:Template messages/User talk namespace|appropriate warnings]] have been given without the conduct stopping. Finally, general knowledge questions (i.e., those unrelated to Wikipedia) are welcome at the various sections of the [[WP:RD|reference desk]]. See [[Wikipedia:Requests]] for a listing of services and assistance that can be requested on Wikipedia.

==See also==
{| style="width:100%;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|width=47%|

* [[Wikipedia:A Primer for newcomers|A primer for newcomers]]

;{{small|Editing related}}
* [[Wikipedia:Advanced article editing|Advanced article editing]]
* [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|Conflict of interest guideline]]
* [[Wikipedia:Dos and don'ts|Dos and don'ts]]
*[[User:Cullen328/Smartphone editing|Smartphone editing (User essay)]]
* [[Wikipedia:Essays in a nutshell/Article writing|Essays about article writing]]
* [[Wikipedia:Everything you need to know|Everything you need to know]]
* [[Wikipedia:Ten Simple Rules for Editing Wikipedia|Ten simple rules for editing]]
* [[Wikipedia:Tips|Tips on using and contributing]]
* [[Wikipedia:Instructional material|Wikipedia instructional material]]
* [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch|Words and phrases to avoid]]
|width=2%|
|width=47%|
{{Help desk}}
{{Portal|Help}}
;{{small|Community related}}
* [[Wikipedia:Advice for parents|Advice for parents]]
* [[Wikipedia:Essay directory|Community essays]]
* [[Wikipedia:Editing environment|Editing environment]]
* [[Wikipedia:Guidance for younger editors|Guidance for younger editors]]
* [[Wikipedia:The rules are principles|The rules are principles]]
* [[Wikipedia:User account security|User account security]]
;{{small|Other ways to help}}

*[[Wikipedia:Task Center|Task Center]]
* [[Wikipedia:Reward board|Wikipedia reward board]]
* [[Wikipedia:Backlog|The Wikipedia Backlog]]

;{{small|Directories and indexes}}
* [[Wikipedia:Directory|Directory]]
|}
{{commons category|Instructional videos on using Wikipedia}}
;{{small|Information and resources by the Wikimedia Foundation}}
{{refbegin}}
* [https://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bookshelf The Bookshelf]&nbsp;-&nbsp;A vast collection of high-quality, freely licensed, user-generated informational material about Wikipedia.
{{refend}}{{-}}
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