View source for Wikipedia:Organizing disambiguation pages by subject area

{{supplement|pages=[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Disambiguation pages#Grouping by subject area|Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Disambiguation pages § Grouping by subject area]]|shortcut=MOS:LONGDAB|shortcut2=WP:LONGDAB}}

[[File:Dab flow.png|thumb|Readers should be able to navigate down to what they want in one pass, without having to read any more headings than necessary.]]

On '''large [[WP:DAB|disambiguation page]]s, organizing by subject area''' helps readers find the page they want. <u>Readers should be able to find their target ''with minimal reading''</u>, by skipping clearly irrelevant sections, and narrowing down to one section, then one subsection (if present), then a single entry, ''without having to read anything twice''. This page discusses three principles that enable that goal, and suggested headings to use. Guidance for individual entries is at [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Disambiguation pages]].

==Principles==
===1. Clearly defined subject areas ===
The title of each section must make it [[principle of least astonishment|clear]] what kinds of entries it contains, and <u>''all entries that fit''</u> in that section should be there. Furthermore:
<!--* Make sure membership is not [[subjectivity|subjective]]. "{{darkred|Technical terms}}" may cover different things to different people.-->
* '''Pick subject areas that don't overlap.'''  E.g., record labels fit under both "Music" and "Businesses", so if you have an entry for a record label, avoid using both those subject areas.
**''If'' overlap can't reasonably be avoided:
*** For ''one or two'' items that fit in multiple sections: duplicate these entries in each appropriate section.
*** For ''several'' items (or a subsection): put in only one section, and put a [[WP:HATNOTE|hatnote]] at the top of any other appropriate sections, e.g.: {{tlx|for|<topic>|#<Section>}}.
:: But, again, try to avoid creating overlap in the first place.
* '''Only combine closely related topics.''' "{{green|Biology and medicine}}" is fine; "{{darkred|Cosmology and medicine}}" is not. "Other uses" is the exception.
* '''Try to minimize the number of "other uses" entries –''' but not at the cost of making awkward or overly small sections.
* '''Separate fictional entities from real ones.'''

===2. Moderate section size===
Choosing subject divisions that result in moderately sized sections minimizes the reading users need to do:
* Sections with '''more than ten to twelve entries''' should usually be divided, if practical. Use judgment based on the particular page.
* Sections with '''less than three entries''' should usually (and for only one entry, almost ''always'') be combined, typically in an "Other uses" section.

===3. "Other uses" below===
{{shortcut|WP:NOORPHANS|WP:NOFLOATERS}}
Entries that are not fully categorized belong in an "Other uses" section at the ''end'' of the page or section (but before any [[MOS:DABSEEALSO|"See also" section]]).

The space above the first section on the page (or above the first subsection in a section) should ''not'' have any entries ("orphans"), except for:
* At most ''one'' [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Is_there_a_primary_topic?|primary topic]], if there is one, at the top of the page; and
* A few ''significantly'' more [[MOS:DABORDER|common meanings]], ''if'' they exist;
''And'' these entries should be repeated in the appropriate topic sections. "Loose" entries at the top of a page or section don't appear in the table of contents, and readers can easily miss them.

===Also:===
* Use <nowiki>==</nowiki>[[Help:Section|Wiki headings]]<nowiki>==</nowiki>, not bold text or [[H:DL|semicolon markup]], for headings (see [[WP:PSEUDOHEAD]]).
* Use the [[MOS:DABSEEALSO|"See also" section]] for entries whose titles are ''related to'', but ''not strictly ambiguous with'', the page title.
* Order sections alphabetically unless there is a clear reason not to. (This is the easiest scheme to recognize – importance, for example, is usually too subjective.)

=Example scheme=
{{TOC_right|limit=4}}
<!--This is a level-1 header on purpose-->
This scheme, or any part of it, may be used to [[MOS:DABGROUPING|organize disambiguation pages]]. Braces ("{}") suggest alternative terms, which may be split up and recombined in keeping with the principles above. Common pitfalls that may make dab pages harder to navigate are {{darkred|marked in red}}.

<big><font color=red>'''NOTE!'''</font></big> These headings are an ''example only''; most disambiguation pages will only use a few of these headings. They should be liberally modified, supplemented, and promoted or demoted to different header levels to best suit each particular page. Disambiguation pages are enormously varied, and another scheme may better suit a given page. (Note, though, that schemes ''not'' based on subject area, such as grouping entries by their formatting, or separating out acronyms or initialisms, can be confusing for readers and are usually avoided.)

'''Remember to remove visible braces ("{&thinsp;}") and pipes ("{{!}}") before saving a dab page.'''

<div style="border:1px solid black; margin:15px; padding:15px">
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|'''[Title]''' may refer to: }}
<!--{{TOC right}}-->
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}} {Arts{{!}}entertainment{{!}}media} {{small|{{darkred|[Avoid words like "(popular) culture" and "society"; they are too vague.]}}}} {{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:{{darkred|['''Sports'''-related entries are typically listed in "People", "Organizations", and/or "Sport", not here.]}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:{{darkred|['''Technologies''' used in media and entertainment are typically listed in "Science and technology", not here.]}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[If '''people''' or '''organizations''' in the arts are listed elsewhere, note this in a [[Wikipedia:Hatnote|hatnote]], e.g.: ''For people in arts and entertainment, see {{section link||People}}.''] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[It may be useful to separate items with proper names (e.g. [[The Noise (band)]]) from generic terms (e.g. [[noise music]]).] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}Fictional {characters{{!}}elements} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Useful for characters or elements that appear in multiple types of media; otherwise, sort by medium as below.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Film{{!}}radio{{!}}television{{!}}theater} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}Gaming {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Literature{{!}}writing} {{small|{{darkred|[Avoid the word "'''Print'''", which excludes digital written media.]}}}} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Books{{!}}novels} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Comics{{!}}magazines{{!}}newspapers{{!}}periodicals} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Short stories{{!}}poems} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}Music {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Artists{{!}}bands{{!}}performers} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Albums{{!}}symphonies{{!}}extended compositions} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Songs{{!}}pieces{{!}}tracks} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}Other media {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{Businesses{{!}}organizations} {{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Government{{!}}military{{!}}political} organizations{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Break down geographically if needed] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Schools{{!}}Universities} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Break down geographically or by academic level if needed] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} Sports {teams{{!}}organizations} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[If listed in a separate "Sport" section, note this in a hatnote] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}Other {businesses{{!}}organizations}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Break down by industry if needed] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{Economics{{!}}finance{{!}}law}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[For topics in economic science, a subsection of "Science" may be more appropriate.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}Language(s){{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:{{darkred|[Do not list '''dictionary definitions'''; these should be handled with the {{tl|wiktionary}} template at the top of the page.]}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[For topics in linguistic science, a subsection of "Science" may be more appropriate.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}People{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:{{darkred|['''People with the page title as ''part'' of their common name''' should typically be listed on an [[Wikipedia:WikiProject_Anthroponymy/Standards|Anthroponymy page]], such as [[Bob (given name)]], not a disambiguation page, unless there are only a small number of such people.]}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[List '''groups of people''' (such as ethnic groups) and '''titles''' shared by several people '''separately''' from individuals.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} In {academia{{!}}science} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} In {arts{{!}}entertainment{{!}}media}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Break down by type of media if needed, though this may cause overlap with an "Arts and media" section] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} In business {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} In {government{{!}}military{{!}}politics} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} In religion {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} Sportspeople {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} Other people {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}} Places {{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Break down geographically, or separate into buildings, administrative entities (like cities and states), and natural formations, if needed] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{Religion{{!}}philosophy{{!}}mythology}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[If people in these fields are listed in a separate "People" section, note this in a hatnote.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}} {Science{{!}}technology{{!}}mathematics} {{small|{{darkred|[Avoid separating these topics, as they often have significant overlap.]}}}} {{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[If people in these fields are listed in a separate "People" section, note this in a hatnote.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} Natural sciences {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Astronomy{{!}}cosmology} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Biology{{!}}medicine{{!}}organic chemistry} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Chemistry{{!}}physics} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Geology{{!}}Earth science} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Psychology{{!}}sociology} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Computing{{!}}electronics{{!}}telecommunication} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:{{darkred|['''Games and digital content''' belong under "Arts and media", not here, unless they deal with these topics specifically.]}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} Mathematics {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Some consider [[Mathematics#Mathematics_as_science|mathematics to be a science]], some don't. If there are math topics here, it is advisable to include "mathematics" in the parent section title.] }} 
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Military technology{{!}}weapons} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[May overlap with "Electronics" or "Transportation" subsections.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} {Transportation{{!}}vehicles} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[If transportation technologies are listed in a separate "Transportation" section, note this in a hatnote.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} Other uses in {science{{!}}technology{{!}}mathematics} {{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}Sports{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:{{darkred|[Caution: This section may have significant overlap with "People" and "Organizations" sections; consider using them instead.]}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Break down by sport, or separate into amateur, professional, and school sports, if needed] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}Transportation{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:{{darkred|[Caution: This section may have significant overlap with "Science and technology", "Businesses and organizations", and "Places" sections; consider using them instead.]}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Airports{{!}}facilities{{!}}stations}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Transit systems{{!}}Transportation companies}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}Vehicles{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Often used for individual vessels, with ''types'' of vehicles listed under "Science and technology" instead; if so, note this in a hatnote.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Aircraft{{!}}spacecraft}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Land vehicles{{!}}cars{{!}}rail vehicles{{!}}trains}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{Maritime vessels{{!}}ships}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}Other uses{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Ambiguous entries that do not fit into another section. Entries that fit in another section, but not in any of its subsections, should be placed in an "Other uses in [topic]" subsection there.] }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|{{=}}{{=}}See also{{=}}{{=}} }}
<!--REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS LINE!-->{{wrong-namespace|no=0|:[Entries that are ''related to'', but ''not ambiguous with'', the page title, that might reasonably help readers find what they are looking for, such as: search templates like {{tl|lookfrom}}, {{tl|intitle}}, and {{tl|canned search}}; misspellings; and similar words. Use judgment; do ''not'' include every page that contains the ambiguous term.] }}
</div>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

[[Category:Wikipedia essays about style]]
[[Category:Wikipedia essays about navigation]]
[[Category:WikiProject Disambiguation]]