Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Tips and tricks
The reference desks of Wikipedia
Placing external links sections
An External links section, if any, should always be placed at the end of the article. It should always be spelled with that capitalization, never "External Links" or "external links". The term should be used even if there is only one external link.
Placing templates
Template messages vary in their placement. For example, a {{merge}} notice goes at the top of the article, but the {{stub}} message goes at the bottom. Read the documentation at the bottom of a template for instructions on how to make use of it.
Where on the page to put images
When adding images to an article, be careful where you place them. See the picture tutorial for ideas on image placement.
Check your work before you save, using Preview
When you edit a page, you can use the Preview button (located right next to the Save page button) to see in advance what your edits will look like. This lets you check your work periodically without filling up the page history by making lots of smaller edits. The preview function can also help you avoid mistakes, such as when using an unfamiliar type of wiki markup. The preview will appear together with the edit box you have been working in (either above or below it, however you prefer).
An even faster way to preview a page is with the keyboard shortcut ⇧ Shift+alt+P.
Please return the favor
When you make use of Wikipedia's desks (Help desk, Village pump, and the Reference desk), please consider putting some time in as a volunteer by reading and answering some questions at whichever desk you think you will be the most helpful. Remember: the Help desk always needs help, and questions asked at the Reference desk span the breadth of all human knowledge. You're likely to know the answer to some of the questions.
Go to the right desk
- The Teahouse is primarily for newer editors' questions about topics such as creating pages, citing sources, and approval of articles.
- The Help desk is for more experienced editors' questions about how to use Wikipedia.
- Village pump (technical) is for more technical questions about Wikipedia.
- The Reference desk is for questions about life, the universe, and everything (other than about Wikipedia). It's a virtual version of the reference desk at a library. Wikipedians are very knowledgeable, and if they don't know the answer, they can probably find it pretty quickly.
Transclusion caveat
When you transclude a page (that is, automate the display of a page's content on another page), all its tags (like {{TOCRight}}) go with it, which will be implemented on the host page. Just add the following code if you want to add a right-aligned TOC to a page, but do not want it to be displayed on "derivative" pages:
<noinclude> {{TOCright}} </noinclude>
For a more detailed explanation, see Help:Wiki markup#Templates and transcluding pages.
Table of contents
Any article with more than three headings automatically gets a table of contents (TOC). The TOC is placed above the first section heading. All text above the first section heading is commonly referred to as the lead section. Depending on the overall length of the article, this introduction should not exceed one to four paragraphs in length and should summarize the article's key points.
If you do not like the TOC placement in an article, you can move it by inserting __TOC__ where you would like it placed. If you do not want a TOC on a particular page, add the text __NOTOC__ anywhere on the page; if you, personally, do not like the TOC feature, you can disable it in your user preferences.
Tips and Tricks is a general editing advice column written by experienced editors. If you have suggestions for a topic, or want to submit your own advice, follow these links and let us know (or comment below)!
Discuss this story