Help:Contents: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Main page of the help namespace}}
{{short description|Main page of the help namespace}}
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<div class="helpContents-header">
<div class="helpContents-header">
<div role="region" aria-label="Introduction">
<div role="region" aria-label="Introduction">
This page provides '''help with the most common questions about Wikipedia'''.
This page provides '''help with the most common questions about [[Wikipedia]]'''.


You can also search all Wikipedia's help pages using the search box below, or browse the '''[[Help:Menu|Help&nbsp;menu]]''' or the '''[[Help:Directory|Help directory]]'''.
You can also search Wikipedia's help pages using the search box below, or browse the '''[[Help:Menu|Help menu]]''' or the '''[[Help:Directory|Help directory]]'''.
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placeholder=Search Help pages
placeholder=Search Help pages
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For simple searches, there is a search box at the top of every page. Type what you are looking for in the box. Partial matches will appear in a dropdown list. Select any page in the list to go to that page. Or, select the magnifying glass "Go" button, or press {{key press|enter}}, to go to a full search result. For advanced searches, see '''[[Help:Searching]]'''.
For simple searches, there is a search box at the top of every page. Type what you are looking for in the box. Partial matches will appear in a dropdown list. Select any page in the list to go to that page. Or, select the magnifying glass "Go" button, or press {{key press|enter}}, to go to a full search result. For advanced searches, see '''[[Help:Searching]]'''.


There are other ways to browse and explore Wikipedia articles; many can be found at '''[[Wikipedia:Contents]]'''. Also see our '''[[Wikipedia:General disclaimer|disclaimer]]''' for cautions about Wikipedia's limitations.
There are other ways to browse and explore Wikipedia articles; many can be found at '''[[Wikipedia:Contents]]'''. See our '''[[Wikipedia:General disclaimer|disclaimer]]''' for cautions about Wikipedia's limitations.

For '''[[Help:Mobile access|mobile access]]''', press the {{Plain link|url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents|name='''mobile view'''}} link at the very bottom of every {{Plain link|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents|name='''desktop view'''}} page.


It is possible to '''[[Help:Mobile access|access Wikipedia on multiple platforms]]'''. The desktop version of English Wikipedia is located at '''https://en.wikipedia.org'''. The mobile version of English Wikipedia is located at '''https://en.m.wikipedia.org''' (also very useful on desktop and laptop computers, to display articles in large print across the entire width of the screen without the side menu, making them much easier to read).
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<div class="helpContents-section" role="region" aria-labelledby="edit-heading">
<div class="helpContents-section" role="region" aria-labelledby="edit-heading">
<div class="helpContents-icon">[[File:OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg|20px|alt=|link=]]</div>
<div class="helpContents-icon">[[File:OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg|20px|alt=|link=]]</div>
<h2 id="edit-heading">'''Edit''' an article</h2>
<h2 id="edit-heading">'''Edit''' an article</h2>


Contributing is easy: see '''[[Help:Editing|how to edit a page]]'''. For a quick summary on participating, see '''[[Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia|contributing to Wikipedia]]''', and for a friendly tutorial, see '''[[Help:Introduction|our introduction]]'''. For a listing of introductions and tutorials by topic, see '''[[Help:Getting started|getting started]]'''. The '''[[Wikipedia:SMOS|Simplified Manual of Style]]''' and '''[[Help:Cheatsheet|Cheatsheet]]''' can remind you of basic wiki markup.
Contributing is easy: see '''[[Help:Editing|how to edit a page]]'''. For a quick summary on participating, see '''[[Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia|contributing to Wikipedia]]''', and for a friendly tutorial, see '''[[Help:Introduction|our introduction]]'''. For a listing of introductions and tutorials by topic, see '''[[Help:Getting started|getting started]]'''. The '''[[Wikipedia:SMOS|Simplified Manual of Style]]''' and '''[[Help:Cheatsheet|Cheatsheet]]''' can remind you of basic wiki markup.


'''[[Wikipedia:Be bold|Be&nbsp;bold]]''' in improving articles! When adding facts, please '''[[Help:Introduction to referencing/1|provide references]]''' so others may verify them. If you are affiliated with the article subject, please see our '''[[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|conflict of interest guideline]]'''.
'''[[Wikipedia:Be bold|Be&nbsp;bold]]''' in improving articles! When adding facts, please '''[[Help:Introduction to referencing/1|provide references]]''' so others may verify them. If you are affiliated with the article subject, please see our '''[[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|conflict of interest guideline]]'''.
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<h2 id="report-heading">'''Report a problem''' with an article</h2>
<h2 id="report-heading">'''Report a problem''' with an article</h2>


<strong>If there is a problem with an article about yourself, a family member, a friend or a colleague, please read [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons/Help|Biographies of living persons/Help]].</strong>
If there is a problem with an article about yourself, a family member, a friend or a colleague, please read '''[[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons/Help|Biographies of living persons/Help]]'''.


If you spot a problem with an article, <em>you</em> can fix it directly, by clicking on the "Edit" link at the beginning of that page. '''[[#edit-heading|See the "edit an article" section of this page for more information.]]'''
If you spot a problem with an article, you can fix it directly, by clicking on the "Edit" link at the top of that page. '''[[#edit-heading|See the "edit an article" section of this page]]''' for more information.


If you don't feel ready to fix the article yourself, please post a message on the article's '''[[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|talk page]]'''. This will bring the matter to the attention of others who work on that article. There is a "Talk" link at the beginning of <em>every</em> article page.
If you don't feel ready to fix the article yourself, post a message on the article's '''[[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|talk page]]'''. This will bring the matter to the attention of others who work on that article. There is a "Talk" link at the beginning of <em>every</em> article page.


Alternatively you can '''[[Wikipedia:Contact us - Readers|contact us]]'''. If it's an article about you or your organization, see '''[[Wikipedia:Contact us - Subjects|Contact us – Subjects]]'''.
You can '''[[Wikipedia:Contact us - Readers|contact us]]'''. If it's an article about you or your organization, see '''[[Wikipedia:Contact us - Subjects|Contact us – Subjects]]'''.
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Or check out '''[[Wikipedia:Questions|where to ask questions or make comments]]'''.
Or check out '''[[Wikipedia:Questions|where to ask questions or make comments]]'''.


New users having problems editing Wikipedia should ask at the '''[[Wikipedia:Teahouse|Teahouse]]'''. More complex questions can be posed at the '''[[Wikipedia:Help desk|Help desk]]'''. Volunteers will respond as soon as they're able.
New users should seek help at the '''[[Wikipedia:Teahouse|Teahouse]]''' if they're having problems editing Wikipedia.
More complex questions can be posed at the '''[[Wikipedia:Help desk|Help desk]]'''. Volunteers will respond as soon as they're able.


Or {{edit|Special:MyTalk|'''ask for help on your talk page'''|section=new|preload=Help:Contents/helpmepreload|preloadtitle=Help me!}} and a volunteer will visit you there!
Or {{edit|Special:MyTalk|'''ask for help on your talk page'''|section=new|preload=Help:Contents/helpmepreload|preloadtitle=Help me!}} and a volunteer will visit you there!
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<h2 id="questions-heading">'''Factual questions'''</h2>
<h2 id="questions-heading">'''Factual questions'''</h2>


If '''[[Special:Search|searching Wikipedia]]''' has not answered your question (''for example, questions like "Which country has the world's largest fishing fleet?"''), try the '''[[Wikipedia:Reference desk|Reference Desk]]'''. Volunteers there will attempt to answer your questions on any topic, or point you towards the information you need.
If '''[[Special:Search|searching Wikipedia]]''' has not answered your question (''for example, questions like "Which country has the world's largest fishing fleet?"''), try the '''[[Wikipedia:Reference desk|Reference Desk]]'''. Volunteers there will attempt to answer your questions on any topic, or point you toward the information you need.
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*''' [[Wikipedia:Directory|Directory]]''': main list of directories and indexes.
*''' [[Wikipedia:Directory|Directory]]''': main list of directories and indexes.


<h3 style="font-size: 85%;">Help related</h3>
<h3>Help related</h3>


* '''[[Help:Directory|Help directory]]''': for informative, instructional and consultation pages.
* '''[[Help:Directory|Help directory]]''': for informative, instructional and consultation pages.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Request directory|Request directory]]''': for services and assistance that can be requested on Wikipedia.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Request directory|Request directory]]''': for services and assistance that can be requested on Wikipedia.


<h3 style="font-size: 85%;">Protocols and conventions</h3>
<h3>Protocols and conventions</h3>


* '''[[Wikipedia:List of policies|Policy directory]]''': official policies for "English Wikipedia"
* '''[[Wikipedia:List of policies|Policy directory]]''': official policies for "English Wikipedia".
* '''[[Wikipedia:List of guidelines|Guideline directory]]''': official guidelines for "English Wikipedia"
* '''[[Wikipedia:List of guidelines|Guideline directory]]''': official guidelines for "English Wikipedia".
* '''[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Contents|Manual of Style directory]]''': pages related to the style manual of Wikipedia articles.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Contents|Manual of Style directory]]''': pages related to the style manual of Wikipedia articles.


<h3 style="font-size: 85%;">Community related</h3>
<h3>Community related</h3>


* '''[[Wikipedia:Department directory|Departments]]''': for the different divisions of Wikipedia.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Department directory|Departments]]''': for the different divisions of Wikipedia.
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* '''[[Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Directory|WikiProjects]]''': for people who want to work together as a team to improve Wikipedia.
* '''[[Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Directory|WikiProjects]]''': for people who want to work together as a team to improve Wikipedia.


<h3 style="font-size: 85%;"> MediaWiki software</h3>
<h3> MediaWiki software</h3>


* '''[[Help:Wiki markup|Wiki markup]]''': for the syntax used by Wikipedia to format a page.
* '''[[Help:Wikitext|Wikitext]]''': for the syntax used by Wikipedia to format a page.
* '''[[Help:HTML in wikitext|HTML]]''': for HTML5 elements, or tags and their attribute.
* '''[[Help:HTML in wikitext|HTML]]''': for HTML5 elements, or tags and their attribute.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Template messages|Templates]]''': for templates used within Wikipedia.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Template index|Templates]]''': for templates used within Wikipedia.
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* '''[[Help:Menu/Editing Wikipedia|Editing Wikipedia]]''': has general help for editors.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Editing Wikipedia|Editing Wikipedia]]''': has general help for editors.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Links|Links and references]]''': has help for creating links, or dealing with references
* '''[[Help:Menu/Links|Links and references]]''': has help for creating links, or dealing with references
* '''[[Help:Menu/Images and media|Images and media]]''': how to use images, videos and sound files
* '''[[Help:Menu/Images and media|Images and media]]''': how to use images, videos and sound files.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Tracking changes|Keeping track of changes]]''': how to track the evolution of a page, or follow a user.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Tracking changes|Keeping track of changes]]''': how to track the evolution of a page, or follow a user.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Policies and guidelines|Policies and guidelines]]''': for community standards.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Policies and guidelines|Policies and guidelines]]''': for community standards.
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* '''[[Help:Menu/Account settings and maintenance|Account settings]]''': has tips and tools for registered users.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Account settings and maintenance|Account settings]]''': has tips and tools for registered users.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Technical information|Technical information]]''': has tools for advanced users, and troubleshooting.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Technical information|Technical information]]''': has tools for advanced users, and troubleshooting.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Site map|Site map]]''': is the above twelve pages on a single page.
* '''[[Help:Menu/Site map|Site map]]''': is the above thirteen pages on one single page.
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{{Plain navboxes|content={{Basic information|state=open}}}}
{{Plain navboxes|content={{Basic information|state=open}}}}
<div role="note" class="center" style="margin-top: 0.2em; font-size: 80%;">
<div role="note" class="center" style="margin-top: 0.2em; font-size: 80%;">
<div class="hlist inline">[[Wikipedia:Shortcut|Shortcuts]] to this page:
{{flatlist|class=inline}}[[Wikipedia:Shortcut|Shortcuts]] to this page:
* [[WP:HELP]]
* {{no redirect|WP:HELP}}
* [[WP:H]]
* {{no redirect|WP:H}}
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Mobile version of '''{{Plain link|url=//{{CONTENTLANG}}.m.{{SITENAME}}.org/wiki/{{urlencode:{{{1|{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}}|WIKI}}|name={{{1|{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}}}}''' -
Desktop version of '''{{Plain link|url=//{{CONTENTLANG}}.{{SITENAME}}.org/wiki/{{urlencode:{{{1|{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}}|WIKI}}|name={{{1|{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}}}}'''
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{{HelpDesk icon}}
{{HelpDesk icon}}

Latest revision as of 03:06, 26 December 2023

This page provides help with the most common questions about Wikipedia.

You can also search Wikipedia's help pages using the search box below, or browse the Help menu or the Help directory.

Read or find an article

The Readers' FAQ and our about page contain the most commonly sought information about Wikipedia.

For simple searches, there is a search box at the top of every page. Type what you are looking for in the box. Partial matches will appear in a dropdown list. Select any page in the list to go to that page. Or, select the magnifying glass "Go" button, or press ↵ Enter, to go to a full search result. For advanced searches, see Help:Searching.

There are other ways to browse and explore Wikipedia articles; many can be found at Wikipedia:Contents. See our disclaimer for cautions about Wikipedia's limitations.

For mobile access, press the mobile view link at the very bottom of every desktop view page.

Edit an article

Contributing is easy: see how to edit a page. For a quick summary on participating, see contributing to Wikipedia, and for a friendly tutorial, see our introduction. For a listing of introductions and tutorials by topic, see getting started. The Simplified Manual of Style and Cheatsheet can remind you of basic wiki markup.

Be bold in improving articles! When adding facts, please provide references so others may verify them. If you are affiliated with the article subject, please see our conflict of interest guideline.

The simple guide to vandalism cleanup can help you undo malicious edits.

If you're looking for places you can help out, the Task Center is the place to go, or check out what else is happening at the community portal. You can practice editing and experiment in a sandboxyour sandbox.

Report a problem with an article

If there is a problem with an article about yourself, a family member, a friend or a colleague, please read Biographies of living persons/Help.

If you spot a problem with an article, you can fix it directly, by clicking on the "Edit" link at the top of that page. See the "edit an article" section of this page for more information.

If you don't feel ready to fix the article yourself, post a message on the article's talk page. This will bring the matter to the attention of others who work on that article. There is a "Talk" link at the beginning of every article page.

You can contact us. If it's an article about you or your organization, see Contact us – Subjects.

Create a new article or upload media

Check Your first article to see if your topic is appropriate, then the Article wizard will walk you through creating the article.

Once you have created an article, see Writing better articles for guidance on how to improve it and what to include (like reference citations).

For contributing images, audio or video files, see the Introduction to uploading images. Then the Upload wizard will guide you through that process.

Stuck?

Answers to common problems can be found at frequently asked questions.

Or check out where to ask questions or make comments.

New users should seek help at the Teahouse if they're having problems editing Wikipedia.

More complex questions can be posed at the Help desk. Volunteers will respond as soon as they're able.

Or ask for help on your talk page and a volunteer will visit you there!

You can get live help with editing in the help chatroom.

For help with technical issues, ask at the Village pump.

Factual questions

If searching Wikipedia has not answered your question (for example, questions like "Which country has the world's largest fishing fleet?"), try the Reference Desk. Volunteers there will attempt to answer your questions on any topic, or point you toward the information you need.

Shortcuts to this page: