Help:Editing: Difference between revisions
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{{contributing to Wikipedia}} | {{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]] | ||
{{ | {{ombox|image=none|small=y|text='''Note''': You can use the [[Draft:Sandbox|sandbox]] to experiment with page editing.|imageright=[[File:Sandbox.svg|52px]]}} | ||
[[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). | [[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), which uses the [[Help:Introduction to editing with Wiki Markup/1|Source Editor]]. | ||
== Editing articles == | == Editing articles == | ||
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{{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) | Editing most Wikipedia pages is simple. Wikipedia uses two interface methods: classic editing with the [[Help:Introduction to editing with Wiki Markup/1|Source Editor]] through [[Help:Wikitext|wikitext]] (wiki markup), and a new [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]] (VE). | ||
Wikitext editing using the Source Editor is chosen by clicking the <kbd>Edit source</kbd> tab at the top of a Wikipedia page (or on a [[Help:Section|section-edit link]]). This opens an editable copy of the page, showing all the wikitext used there, and the Source Editor toolbar offers simple menu options to add or change the formatting. 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. The Source Editor lets users toggle on "wikitext highlighting", which uses different colours to help differentiate article text from wikitext. | |||
<gallery mode="packed" class="center" heights=" | 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 available only to registered, logged-in users through an opt-in choice that can be made in [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-betafeatures|personal preferences]]. See the [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor/User guide|VisualEditor user guide]] for more information. | ||
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:Wikitext|wikitext markup]]. You can change the formatting and contents of the page by changing what is written in this box. | |||
<gallery mode="packed" class="center" heights="140" style="font-size:95%" caption="Two editing environments: Source Editor (wikitext) and VisualEditor"> | |||
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:Wikitext|wikitext markup]]. You can change the formatting and contents of the page by changing what is written in this box. | |||
File:How to edit a page Edit box - 2025 with preview and syntax highlight (cropped).png|Edit box showing the [[Help:Wikitext|wikitext markup]] with [[syntax highlighting]] and realtime preview turned on. | |||
File:Wikipedia article in VisualEditor 2018-02-12.png|Screenshot showing the same article in [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]]. Unlike the wikitext display, VisualEditor will show the text being edited almost as if it were already published. | File:Wikipedia article in VisualEditor 2018-02-12.png|Screenshot showing the same article in [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]]. Unlike the wikitext display, VisualEditor will show the text being edited almost as if it were already published. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
The Wikipedia community has developed [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style|style guidelines]] to make articles and facts appear in a standardized form, and Wikipedia easier to use as a whole. A basic list of [[Help:Wikitext|wikitext]] can be found on the [[Help:Cheatsheet|cheatsheet]]. An "[[Help:Edit toolbar|edit toolbar]]" is provided just above the edit box (pictured below), which allows 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. See [[Help:Wikitext]] for more information | The Wikipedia community has developed [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style|style guidelines]] to make articles and facts appear in a standardized form, and Wikipedia easier to use as a whole. A basic list of [[Help:Wikitext|wikitext]] can be found on the [[Help:Cheatsheet|cheatsheet]]. An "[[Help:Edit toolbar|edit toolbar]]" is provided just above the edit box (pictured below), which allows 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. See [[Help:Wikitext]] for more information; remember that you can't break Wikipedia; and, although there are many protocols, [[Wikipedia:Editing policy#Wikipedia is a work in progress: perfection is not required|perfection is not required]] because [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is a work in progress|Wikipedia is a work in progress]]. | ||
[[File:WikiEditor-advanced menu-en.png|center]] | [[File:WikiEditor-advanced menu-en.png|center]]<br> | ||
When you have finished editing, you should write a short [[Help:Edit summary|edit summary]] in the | When you have finished editing, you should write a short [[Help:Edit summary|edit summary]] in the field underneath those words (pictured below). You may use shorthand to describe your changes, as described in the [[Wikipedia:Edit summary legend|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, '''[[Wikipedia:Be bold|be bold]]''' and click on the "'''Publish changes'''" button. Your changes will immediately be visible to all Wikipedia users. | ||
{{EditOptions|align=center|width=50em|font-size=80%}} | {{EditOptions|align=center|width=50em|font-size=80%}}<br> | ||
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. | ||
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{{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 | 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, fixing a formatting problem, etc. A ''minor edit'' is a version that the editor believes requires no review and could never be the subject of a dispute. Marking a change as minor does not mean that the edit is unimportant. | ||
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 are never required to use this button. When in doubt, consider your work to be a normal 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]] | All editors are encouraged to [[Wikipedia:Be bold|be bold]] when improving articles, but there are several things that a user can do to ensure that potentially disruptive 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 [[Help:Edit conflict|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. | ||
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. | 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 | 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 re-edited may be higher. | ||
When making particularly large or complex changes, you may want to copy the article to [[Special:MyPage/sandbox|your sandbox]] so you can make changes without being interrupted by other editors. It is also a good idea to publish changes frequently, so that a browser crash or electrical failure will not result in the loss of all your work. | |||
=== Adding references === | === Adding references === | ||
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[[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>]] | [[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>]] | ||
[[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>]] | [[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>]] | ||
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 [[Help:Footnotes|footnotes]], [[Help:Shortened footnotes|shortened footnotes]] and [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#Parenthetical referencing|parenthetical references]]. | 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 the use of [[Wikipedia:Inline citation|inline citations]] to do so. Common methods of placing inline citations include [[Help:Footnotes|footnotes]], [[Help:Shortened footnotes|shortened footnotes]] and [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#Parenthetical referencing|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. The reference is a footnote, appearing as an inline link (e.g. <small><sup><span style="color:#002BB8">[1][2]</span></sup></small>) to a particular item in a collated, numbered list of footnotes, found 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. | 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. The reference is a footnote, appearing as an inline link (e.g. <small><sup><span style="color:#002BB8">[1][2]</span></sup></small>) to a particular item in a collated, numbered list of footnotes, found 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. | ||
There are a number of tools available to help with citation placement and formatting, some of which are internal tools and scripts, | There are a number of tools available to help with citation placement and formatting, some of which are internal tools and scripts, whereas 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://citer.toolforge.org/ Citer] 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 === | ||
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Before [[Help:Your first article|starting a new article]], please understand [[Wikipedia:Notability|Wikipedia's notability requirements]]. In short, the topic of an article must have already been the subject of publication in [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|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:Independent 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 [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information|indiscriminate]] inclusion of topics. | Before [[Help:Your first article|starting a new article]], please understand [[Wikipedia:Notability|Wikipedia's notability requirements]]. In short, the topic of an article must have already been the subject of publication in [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|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:Independent 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 [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information|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. '''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 | 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 also review the [[Wikipedia:Article titles|article titling policy]] for guidance on what to name the article. | ||
== Talk pages == | == Talk pages == | ||
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== 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 source" tab instead of an "Edit" tab. You can still edit these pages indirectly by submitting an [[Wikipedia:Edit requests|edit request]] | Some pages are [[Help:Protection|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 [[Wikipedia:Edit requests|edit request]] and an editor with 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" | To submit an edit request, click on the protected page's "View source" tab and then the "Submit an edit request" button 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 | [[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 that 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. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
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{{meta}} | {{meta}} | ||
{{div col}} | {{div col}} | ||
'''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]] | * [[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]] | * [[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''' | |||
* [[Wikipedia:Article titles]] | * [[Wikipedia:Article titles]] | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Moving a page|Moving a page to a new name]] | * [[Wikipedia:Moving a page|Moving a page to a new name]] | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Namespace]] | * [[Wikipedia:Namespace]] | ||
'''Style and layout''' | |||
* [[Wikipedia:Annotated article]] | * [[Wikipedia:Annotated article]] | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Layout]] | * [[Wikipedia:Layout]] | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style]] | * [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style]] | ||
'''Tools''' | |||
* [[Draft:Sandbox]] | * [[Draft:Sandbox]] | ||
* [[Help:Text editor support]] | * [[Help:Text editor support]] | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Tools]] | * [[Wikipedia:Tools]] | ||
{{div col end}} | {{div col end}} | ||
'''Related''' | |||
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject]]: if you are writing an article about something that belongs to a group of topics, check here first! | * [[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 | * [[outreach:Bookshelf|Wikimedia Bookshelf]]: learning materials, videos, and handouts | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Glossary]]: a glossary for Wikipedia editors | * [[Wikipedia:Glossary]]: a glossary for Wikipedia editors | ||
== Notes == | |||
<references> | |||
<ref name="protection"> | |||
Some pages are [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|protected from editing]] and marked by a lock icon at the top right. If you are not allowed to edit the page, it will have a "View source" instead of an "Edit" tab. You can still edit these pages indirectly by submitting an [[Wikipedia:Edit requests|edit request]]: click "View source", then "Submit an edit request" at the bottom right, and an editor who is authorized to edit the page will respond to your request. | |||
</ref> | |||
</references> | |||
{{center|{{offer help}} }} | {{center|{{offer help}} }} | ||
{{Wikipedia help pages}} | {{Wikipedia help pages}} | ||