Help:Editing

File:Wb editwin.png view of the edit window. 1 is the tools and 2 is the summary field.

See also Help:Introduction and Help:Starting a new page

Wikibooks is a wiki, which means that anyone can easily edit any unprotected page and save those changes immediately to that page. After your first edit you are a Wikibooks editor! To request a change to a protected page, you may add your suggestion to the talk page.

Introduction

Editing a Wikibooks page is not very hard. Simply click on the "edit this page" tab at the top of a Wikibooks page (or on a section-edit link). This will bring you to a new page with a text box containing the editable text of the original page. If you just want to experiment, please do so in the sandbox; not here. You should write a short edit summary in the small field below the edit-box. You may use shorthand to describe your changes, and when you have finished, press the Show preview button to see how your changes will look. You can also see the difference between the page with your edits and the previous version of the page by pressing the Show changes button. If you're satisfied with what you see, be bold and press the Save page button. Your changes will immediately be visible to other Wikibooks users.

You can also click on the Discussion tab to see the corresponding talk page, which contains comments about the page from other Wikibooks users. Click on the "+" tab to add a new section, or edit the page in the same way as an article page.

You should remember to sign your messages on talk pages and some special-purpose project pages, but you should not sign edits you make to regular articles. This is done by adding four tildes after your post, like this: ~~~~. The MediaWiki software keeps track of which user makes each change.

Minor edits

When editing a page on this site, a logged-in user can mark an edit as being "minor". Minor edits generally mean spelling corrections, formatting and minor rearrangement of text. It is possible to hide minor edits when viewing recent changes (see the link on the sidebar). Marking a significant change as a minor edit is considered bad Wikiquette, especially when it involves the deletion of some text. If you accidentally mark an edit as minor, you should edit the page once more, mark it major (or, rather, ensure that the check-box for "This is a minor edit" is not checked), and, explain in the edit summary, that the previous change was a major one.

Page protection

In a few cases, where an administrator has protected a page, the link labeled "MediaWiki:Editthispage" is replaced by the text "View source" (or equivalents in the language of the project). In that case the page cannot be edited. Protection of an image page includes protection of the image itself.

Edit conflicts

If someone else makes an edit while you are making yours, the result is an edit conflict. Many conflicts can be automatically resolved by the Wiki. If it can't be resolved, however, you will need to resolve it yourself. The Wiki gives you two text boxes, where the top one is the other person's edit and the bottom one is your edit. Merge your edits into the top edit box, which is the only one that will be saved.

Reverting

The edit link of a page showing an old version leads to an edit page with the old wikitext. This is a useful way to restore the old version of a page. However, the edit link of a diff page gives the current wikitext, even if the diff page shows an old version below the table of differences.

Error messages

If you get an error message upon saving a page, you can't tell whether the actual save has failed or just the confirmation. You can go back and save again, and the second save will have no effect, or you can check "My contributions" to see whether the edit went through.

Checking spelling and editing in your favorite editor

You may find it more convenient to copy and paste the text first into your favorite text editor, edit and spell check it there, and then paste it back into your web browser to preview. This way, you can also keep a local backup copy of the pages you have edited. It also allows you to make changes offline.

If you edit this way, it's best to leave the editing page open after you copy from it, using the same edit box to submit your changes, so that the usual edit conflict mechanism can deal with it. If you return to the editing page later, please make sure that nobody else has edited the page in the meantime. If someone has, you'll need to merge their edits into yours by using the diff feature in the page history.

Composition of the edit page

The editing page consists of these sections:

• Edit toolbar (optional)
• Editing text box
• Edit summary box
• Minor edit/Watch this page checkbox
• Save/Preview/Changes/Cancel/Editing help links
• A list of templates used on the page
• A preview, if you have requested one. Your preferences may place the preview at the top of the page instead.

Position-independent wikitext

No matter where you put these things in the wikitext, the resulting page is displayed the same way:

• Interlanguage links
• Categories
• The magic words __NOTOC__ and __FORCETOC__. See Help:Section.

Wiki markup

The wiki markup is the syntax system you can use to format a Wikibooks page.

In the left column of the table below; you can see what effects are possible. In the right column, you can see how those effects were achieved. In other words, to make text look like it looks in the left column, type it in the format you see in the right column.

You may want to keep this page open in a separate browser window for reference. If you want to try out things without danger of doing any harm, you can do so in the Sandbox. Try opening the Sandbox in a separate window or tab and keeping this page open for reference.

Another good way of learning to reproduce an effect you see on a Wikibooks page is to click on edit this page and just observe how it was coded in.

Basic text formatting

What it looks like	What you type
You can emphasize text by putting two apostrophes on each side. Three apostrophes will emphasize it strongly. Five apostrophes is even stronger.	You can ''emphasize text'' by putting two apostrophes on each side. Three apostrophes will emphasize it '''strongly'''. Five apostrophes is '''''even stronger'''''.
A single newline has no effect on the layout. But an empty line starts a new paragraph.	A single newline has no effect on the layout. But an empty line starts a new paragraph.
You can break lines without a new paragraph. Please use this sparingly.	You can break lines<br> without a new paragraph.<br> Please use this sparingly.
You should "sign" your comments on talk pages: - Three tildes gives your user name: Karl Wick - Four tildes give your user name plus date/time: Karl Wick 07:46, 27 November 2005 (UTC) - Five tildes gives the date/time alone: 07:46, 27 November 2005 (UTC)	You should "sign" your comments on talk pages: <br> - Three tildes gives your user name: ~~~ <br> - Four tildes give your user name plus date/time: ~~~~ <br> - Five tildes gives the date/time alone: ~~~~~
You can use HTML tags, too, if you want. Some useful ways to use HTML: Put text in a typewriter font. The same font is generally used for computer code. Strike out, underline text, or write it in small caps. Superscripts and subscripts: X2, H2O Invisible comments to editors ( ) only appear while editing the page. Eg: If you wish to make comments to the public, you should usually use the talk page, though.	You can use <b>HTML tags</b>, too, if you want. Some useful ways to use HTML: Put text in a <tt>typewriter font</tt>. The same font is generally used for <code>computer code</code>. <strike>Strike out</strike>, <u>underline</u> text, or write it <span style="font-variant:small-caps">in small caps</span>. Superscripts and subscripts: X<sup>2</sup>, H<sub>2</sub>O Invisible comments to editors ( <!-- --> ) only appear while editing the page. Eg: <!-- Note to editors: blah blah blah. --> If you wish to make comments to the public, you should usually use the talk page, though.
More Examples of HTML tags Do you like coloring this particular word? Do you like coloring this particular word? White background is too dull. Change it! White background is too dull. Change it!	'''More Examples of HTML tags''' Do you like coloring this particular <font color="red">word</font>?<br> Do you like coloring this particular <font color="#33FF66">word</font>?<br> <span style="background-color: yellow">White background is too dull. Change it!</span><br> <span style="background-color: #FF6633">White background is too dull. Change it!</span><br>

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

Organizing your writing

What it looks like	What you type
Section headings Headings organize your writing into sections. The Wiki software can automatically generate a table of contents from them. Subsection Using more equals signs creates a subsection. A smaller subsection Don't skip levels, like from two to four equals signs. Start with 2 equals signs not 1 because 1 creates H1 tags which should be reserved for page title.	== Section headings == ''Headings'' organize your writing into sections. The Wiki software can automatically generate a table of contents from them. === Subsection === Using more equals signs creates a subsection. ==== A smaller subsection ==== Don't skip levels, like from two to four equals signs. Start with 2 equals signs not 1 because 1 creates H1 tags which should be reserved for page title.
Unordered lists are easy to do: Start every line with a star. More stars indicate a deeper level. A newline in a list marks the end of the list. Of course you can start again.	* ''Unordered lists'' are easy to do: ** Start every line with a star. *** More stars indicate a deeper level. * A newline * in a list marks the end of the list. * Of course you can start again.
Numbered lists are: Very organized Easy to follow A newline marks the end of the list. New numbering starts with 1.	# ''Numbered lists'' are also good: ## Very organized ## Easy to follow A newline marks the end of the list. # New numbering starts with 1.
Another kind of list is a definition list: Word Definition of the word Here is a longer phrase that needs a definition Phrase defined A word Which has a definition Also a second one And even a third	Another kind of list is a ''definition list'': ; Word : Definition of the word ; Here is a longer phrase that needs a definition : Phrase defined ; A word : Which has a definition : Also a second one : And even a third
You can even do mixed lists and nest them inside each other or break lines in lists. definition lists can be nested too	* You can even do mixed lists *# and nest them *# inside each other *#* or break lines<br>in lists. *#; definition lists *#: can be *#;; nested too
A colon (:) indents a line or paragraph. A newline after that starts a new paragraph. This is often used for discussion on talk pages. We use 1 colon to indent once. We use 2 colons to indent twice. We use 3 colons to indent 3 times, and so on.	: A colon (:) indents a line or paragraph. A newline after that starts a new paragraph. <br> This is often used for discussion on talk pages. : We use 1 colon to indent once. :: We use 2 colons to indent twice. ::: We use 3 colons to indent 3 times, and so on.
You can make horizontal dividing lines (----) to separate text. But you should usually use sections instead, so that they go in the table of contents.	You can make horizontal dividing lines (----) to separate text. ---- But you should usually use sections instead, so that they go in the table of contents.
Sometimes you may need to reference or add supplementary notes to your sentences. We may use the ref or refun tag. Eg: There are XX numbers of people in the world. Reference: For details, see Help:Footnotes.	Sometimes you may need to reference or add supplementary notes to your sentences. We may use the ref or refun tag. Eg: <br> There are XX numbers of people in the world.<ref>The source is quoted from ...</ref> <br> Reference: <references/> For details, see [[Help:Footnotes]].

Links

Template:Mergeto You will often want to make clickable links to other pages.

What it looks like	What you type
Here's a link to a page named Official position. You can even say official positions and the link will show up correctly.	Here's a link to a page named [[Official position]]. You can even say [[official position]]s and the link will show up correctly.
You can put formatting around a link. Example: Wikibooks.	You can put formatting around a link. Example: ''[[Wikibooks]]''.
The first letter of modules is automatically capitalized, so biology goes to the same place as Biology. Capitalization matters after the first letter.	The ''first letter'' of articles is automatically capitalized, so [[biology]] goes to the same place as [[Biology]]. Capitalization matters after the first letter.
The weather in Moscow is a page that doesn't exist yet. You could create it by clicking on the link.	[[The weather in Moscow]] is a page that doesn't exist yet. You could create it by clicking on the link.
You can link to a page section by its title: List of cities by country#Morocco. If multiple sections have the same title, add a number. #Example section 3 goes to the third section named "Example section".	You can link to a page section by its title: *[[List of cities by country#Morocco]]. If multiple sections have the same title, add a number. [[#Example section 3]] goes to the third section named "Example section".
You can make a link point to a different place with a piped link. Put the link target first, then the pipe character "|", then the link text. About Links Cities in Morocco	You can make a link point to a different place with a [[Help:Piped link|piped link]]. Put the link target first, then the pipe character "|", then the link text. *[[Help:Link|About Links]] *[[List of cities by country#Morocco| Cities in Morocco]]
You can make an external link just by typing a URL: http://www.nupedia.com You can give it a title: Nupedia Or leave the title blank: [1]	You can make an external link just by typing a URL: http://www.nupedia.com You can give it a title: [http://www.nupedia.com Nupedia] Or leave the title blank: [http://www.nupedia.com]
You can redirect the user to another page.	#REDIRECT [[Official position]]
Category links do not show up in line but instead at page bottom and cause the page to be listed in the category. Add an extra colon to link to a category in line without causing the page to be listed in the category: Category:Help	[[Help:Category|Category links]] do not show up in line but instead at page bottom ''and cause the page to be listed in the category.'' [[Category:Help]] Add an extra colon to ''link'' to a category in line without causing the page to be listed in the category: [[:Category:Help]]
The Wiki reformats linked dates to match the reader's date preferences. These three dates will show up the same if you choose a format in your Preferences: July 20, 1969 20 July 1969 1969-07-20	The Wiki reformats linked dates to match the reader's date preferences. These three dates will show up the same if you choose a format in your [[Special:Preferences|]]: * [[July 20]], [[1969]] * [[20 July]] [[1969]] * [[1969]]-[[07-20]]
To link to chapters in a wikibook (e.g., the chapter on Demography in the Introduction to Sociology textbook), use this markup.	Like an ordinary link, enclose the link in double brackets: [[link here]] But chapter links differ slightly from ordinary links in that you need to include the name of the wikibook first "Introduction_to_Sociology" before the chapter name: [[Introduction_to_Sociology/Demography]]. The chapter name then follows the wikibook title with a forward slash "/". And, just like ordinary links, you can change what text is displayed by adding a separator "|": [[Introduction_to_Sociology/Demography|Demography]]
Link to an article in another Wikimedia project: Wikipedia Meta Wiktionary Wikisource Wikimedia Commons Wikiquote Wikinews Wikispecies German language Wikipedia	Link to an article in another Wikimedia project: *[[w:Main Page|Wikipedia]] *[[m:Main Page|Meta]] *[[wikt:Main Page|Wiktionary]] *[[wikisource:Main Page|Wikisource]] *[[commons:Main Page|Wikimedia Commons]] *[[q:Main Page|Wikiquote]] *[[n:Main Page|Wikinews]] *[[wikispecies:Main Page|Wikispecies]] *[[w:de:Hauptseite|German language Wikipedia]] *{{Wikipedia|Korean Language}}

Just show what I typed

A few different kinds of formatting will tell the Wiki to display things as you typed them.

What it looks like	What you type
The nowiki tag ignores Wiki ''markup''. It reformats text by removing newlines and multiple spaces. It still interprets special characters: →	<nowiki> The nowiki tag ignores Wiki ''markup''. It reformats text by removing newlines and multiple spaces. It still interprets special characters: &rarr; </nowiki>
The pre tag ignores Wiki ''markup''. It also doesn't reformat text. It still interprets special characters: →	<pre> The pre tag ignores Wiki ''markup''. It also doesn't reformat text. It still interprets special characters: &rarr; </pre>
Leading spaces are another way to preserve formatting. Putting a space at the beginning of each line stops the text from being reformatted. It still interprets Wiki markup and special characters: →	Leading spaces are another way to preserve formatting. Putting a space at the beginning of each line stops the text from being reformatted. It still interprets Wiki ''markup'' and special characters: &rarr;
A newline surrounded by nowiki tags in a list does not mark the end of the list. You can combine pre tags with nowiki tags so preformatted examples can go inside of lists. The list continues.	#A <nowiki>newline surrounded by nowiki tags in a list does not mark the end of the list. </nowiki><pre><nowiki> You can combine pre tags with nowiki tags so preformatted examples can go inside of lists. </nowiki></pre> #The list continues.

Images, tables, video and sounds

This is a very quick introduction.

What it looks like	What you type
A picture, including alternate text: You can put the image in a frame with a caption: The logo for a Wiki	A picture, including alternate text: [[Image:Wikibooks-logo.svg|50px|The logo for a Wiki]] You can put the image in a frame with a caption: [[Image:Wiki.png|frame|The logo for a Wiki]]
A link to Wikibooks' page for the image: Image:Wikibooks-logo.svg Or a link directly to the image itself: Media:Wikibooks-logo.svg	A link to Wikibooks' page for the image: [[:Image:Wikibooks-logo.svg]] Or a link directly to the image itself: [[Media:Wikibooks-logo.svg]]
Use media: links to link directly to sounds or videos: A sound file	Use '''media:''' links to link directly to sounds or videos: [[media:Sg_mrob.ogg|A sound file]]
This is a table You can put a table in a table See?	{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" ! This ! is |- | a | table | colspan=2 | {| border=3 | You can put a table in a table |- | style="background:#ff3322" | See? |} |}

Mathematical formulas

You can format mathematical formulas with TeX markup.

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

Special characters

Now that Mediawiki supports w:UTF-8, many of these can be entered directly into articles, without the HTML markup. On many wikis, a tool appears under the edit box to make this easier.

Umlauts and accents: À Á Â Ã Ä Å Æ Ç È É Ê Ë Ì Í Î Ï Ñ Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö Ø Ù Ú Û Ü ß à á â ã ä å æ ç è é ê ë ì í î ï ñ ò ó ô œ õ ö ø ù ú û ü ÿ	À Á Â Ã Ä Å Æ Ç È É Ê Ë Ì Í Î Ï Ñ Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö Ø Ù Ú Û Ü ß à á â ã ä å æ ç è é ê ë ì í î ï ñ ò ó ô œ õ ö ø ù ú û ü ÿ
Punctuation: ¿ ¡ « » § ¶ † ‡ • – —	¿ ¡ « » § ¶ † ‡ • – —
Commercial symbols: ™ © ® ¢ € ¥ £ ¤	™ © ® ¢ € ¥ £ ¤
Greek characters: α β γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ μ ν ξ ο π ρ σ ς τ υ φ χ ψ ω Γ Δ Θ Λ Ξ Π Σ Φ Ψ Ω	α β γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ μ ν ξ ο π ρ σ ς τ υ φ χ ψ ω Γ Δ Θ Λ Ξ Π Σ Φ Ψ Ω
Math characters: (TeX is often better) ∫ ∑ ∏ √ − ± ∞ ≈ ∝ ≡ ≠ < > ≤ ≥ & × · ÷ ∂ ′ ″ ∇ ‰ ° ∴ ø ∈ ∩ ∪ ⊂ ⊃ ⊆ ⊇ ¬ ∧ ∨ ∃ ∀ ⇒ ⇑ ⇓ ⇐ ⇔ → ↔ ↑ ↓	&int; &sum; &prod; &radic; &minus; &plusmn; &infin; &asymp; &prop; &equiv; &ne; &lt; &gt; &le; &ge; &amp; &times; &middot; &divide; &part; &prime; &Prime; &nabla; &permil; &deg; &there4; &oslash; &isin; &cap; &cup; &sub; &sup; &sube; &supe; &not; &and; &or; &exist; &forall; &rArr; &uArr; &dArr; &lArr; &hArr; &rarr; &harr; &uarr; &darr;
Problem symbols: ℵ ∉	&alefsym; &notin;

Templates

Templates are segments of Wiki markup that are meant to be copied automatically ("transcluded") into a page. You add them by putting the template's name in {{double braces}}.

Some templates take parameters, as well, which you separate with the pipe character.

What it looks like	What you type
	{{Transclusion demo}}
This template takes two parameters, and creates underlined text with a hover box for many modern browsers supporting CSS: Go to this page to see the H:title template itself: Template:Tl	This template takes two parameters, and creates underlined text with a hover box for many modern browsers supporting CSS: {{H:title|This is the hover text| Hover your mouse over this text}} Go to this page to see the H:title template itself: {{tl|H:title}}

See also

• Help:Editing FAQ
• Live preview - a way to preview your edits without contacting the server.