Help:Getting Started

This is a basic guide to getting started with editing Zelda Wiki.org. We're glad you decided to help out, so here's everything you need to begin editing right away!

Editing Pages
So you've found a page that you want to edit. To do this, go to the top of the page and click the little button that says "edit". This pulls up the editing screen, where you can make changes to pages. From here, edit the article how you see fit (as long as it is within the realm of Zelda Wiki's Quality Standards). But don't save just yet! You'll want to make sure that the edit is okay, and that there are no broken images or that nothing else is messed up.

From here, click "Show preview". This will allow you to see the edits before you save them. Check to make sure that everything is in order (and sometimes spelling errors are easier to notice here). It is also preferred for the "Edit summary" to be used simply type a short summary of the edit you've made (i.e. "Fixed 'als' to 'also'", etc.), then click "Save page". This will save your edits for everyone to see!

In a nutshell, the basic steps for editing are:
 * 1) Click "edit" and make the changes in the edit box.
 * 2) Change the edit summary to detail the edit you've made.
 * 3) Click "show preview" and make sure that everything is working as it should.
 * 4) Click "save page".

Basic Wiki Coding
Wikis have their own special coding system. This is a short list of some of the most-used Wiki markup:

Sections and Lists
{| border=1 cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
 * New section

 Subsection 

 Sub-subsection 
 * == New section ==

Sub-subsection

 * Text.
 * Indented text.
 * Further indented text.
 * Further indented text.


 * Text.
 * Indented text.
 * Further indented text.


 * A list
 * You can go in the same level
 * Or create a sub-level
 * As many as needed
 * Or create a sub-level
 * As many as needed


 * Then start a new list with an empty line
 * *A list
 * You can go in the same level
 * Or create a sub-level
 * As many as needed


 * Then start a new list with an empty line
 * 1) You can also make numbered lists
 * 2) The numbers are automatically added
 * 3) It's easy to create them
 * #You can also make numbered lists
 * 1) The numbers are automatically added
 * 2) It's easy to create them
 * A colon indents a line or paragraph.
 * 1) It's easy to create them
 * A colon indents a line or paragraph.
 * A colon indents a line or paragraph.
 * A colon indents a line or paragraph.

Centered text. A horizontal dividing line: this is above it
 * Centered text.
 * Centered text.

and this is below it. A horizontal dividing line: this is above it

and this is below it.
 * }

Other Syntax

 * For images, see Help:Images
 * For templates, see Help:Templates

Creating a Page
To create a page, follow these steps:
 * 1) First, think: does my page stay within the realm of the Wiki? That is to say, is it important enough or part of what the Wiki covers? An article about "Link" is acceptable as it is related to Zelda; an article about "Xbox 360" is not, because it is not related to Zelda or Nintendo in any way.
 * 2) If you deem it acceptable, CHECK THE WIKI TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PAGE DOESN'T ALREADY EXIST. This includes alternate spellings, alternate capitalization (i.e. Kakariko Village is an existing article whereas Kakariko village counts as a different article, and may be a source of possible confusion in creating an article), and alternate possible names. Use the search feature as much as possible!
 * 3) If you're sure that your article doesn't exist, search for it on the Wiki. When no results appear, you will see text stating that you can create the page in question. Click it, and create the page, making sure to stay within the Wiki's Quality Standards. If all is well and good, save the page.
 * Note: Clicking on a red link will also take you to a "create this page" screen.

In a nutshell, the basic steps for page creation are:
 * 1) Figure out if your topic deserves its own page
 * 2) Find out whether or not it already exists
 * 3) Create the page using the search function's "create this page" link