Editing content in MediaWiki involves navigating to the desired page, clicking the "Edit" tab, making your revisions in the editing interface, and then saving your changes. This process allows users with the appropriate permissions to contribute and update information on a wiki.
Understanding the MediaWiki Editing Process
MediaWiki, the software behind Wikipedia, provides a robust and user-friendly system for collaborative content creation. The core of editing revolves around direct interaction with pages via an edit interface.
Basic Steps to Edit a MediaWiki Page
Whether you're updating an existing article or creating new content, the fundamental steps remain consistent:
- Log In to MediaWiki: You must be logged in to your MediaWiki account to make and save changes. Most wikis require an account for editing.
- Navigate to the Desired Page: Use the navigation links, search bar, or direct URL to go to the specific page you wish to edit. If you're looking to edit a prominent page like the site's main page, it's typically accessible from the main navigation.
- Access the Edit Interface:
- Locate and click the "Edit" tab at the top of the page. Depending on your wiki's configuration, you might see "Edit source" or "Edit" (which usually defaults to the VisualEditor if enabled).
- For specific sections, you can often find an "[edit]" link next to the section heading, allowing you to edit only that part of the page.
- Make Your Revisions:
- VisualEditor: If available, this provides a "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) interface. You can type directly, format text with toolbar buttons (bold, italic, links, headings), and insert images or tables visually.
- Wikitext Editor (Source Editor): This mode requires you to use MediaWiki's markup language (wikitext) to format content. It provides a text area where you directly input the wikitext.
- Describe Your Changes (Edit Summary): Before saving, it's crucial to enter a concise summary in the "Edit summary" field. This helps other editors understand the nature of your changes and improves page history readability. Examples include "fixed typo," "added new section on history," or "updated contact information."
- Preview Your Changes: Always click the "Show preview" button to see how your edits will appear on the page before saving. This allows you to catch formatting errors or unwanted changes.
- Save Your Changes: Once you are satisfied with your edits and have provided an edit summary, click the "Save changes" button. Your revisions will then be live on the page.
VisualEditor vs. Wikitext Editor
MediaWiki offers two primary editing environments, catering to different user preferences and technical proficiencies.
| Feature | VisualEditor | Wikitext Editor (Source Editor) |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) | Plain text editor with markup language |
| Ease of Use | Easier for beginners; visual feedback | Steeper learning curve; requires memorizing syntax |
| Formatting | Toolbar buttons for bold, italic, headings, lists | Uses specific wikitext markup (e.g., '''bold''') |
| Tables/Images | Intuitive insertion and manipulation via menus | Requires precise wikitext syntax for complex structures |
| Control | Good for general content and layout | Full control over every character and advanced features |
| Accessibility | Often preferred for quick edits and new users | Essential for advanced formatting, templates, and complex structures |
Many wikis enable the VisualEditor by default, providing a more accessible entry point for new contributors. However, understanding wikitext is invaluable for more intricate formatting, template usage, and troubleshooting. You can often switch between these editors using a button on the editing interface.
Key Wikitext Formatting Basics
If you opt for the Wikitext Editor, here are some fundamental syntax elements:
- Bold text:
'''text'''(e.g., text) - Italic text:
''text''(e.g., text) - Headings:
==Section Heading==(H2)===Subsection Heading===(H3)
- Lists:
- Unordered:
* Item 1* Item 2 - Ordered:
# Item 1# Item 2
- Unordered:
- Internal Links:
[[Page Name]](links to another page on the same wiki) - External Links:
[http://example.com Link Text] - Line breaks:
[[Page Name|Custom Link Text]](internal link with custom text) - Paragraphs: Separate lines with a blank line.
For a comprehensive guide on wikitext, refer to the MediaWiki Help:Formatting page.
Advanced Editing Considerations
- History Tab: Every MediaWiki page has a "History" tab, which shows all past revisions of the page. You can view, compare, and revert to previous versions if needed.
- Talk Pages: Each content page typically has an associated "Talk" page (or "Discussion" page) where editors can discuss content, propose changes, and resolve disputes.
- Templates: Templates are pre-formatted chunks of wikitext that can be easily inserted into multiple pages, ensuring consistency. Learning to use and create templates can significantly enhance wiki content management. For more on templates, see MediaWiki Help:Templates.
By familiarizing yourself with these tools and practices, you can effectively contribute to and maintain content on any MediaWiki site.
