Help:Templates


 * See also: Help:Templates on MediaWiki

Templates are just that: templates that can be used on any page to standardize some element, by simply filling in the required information for that particular situation. There are many kinds of templates, each serving a different goal.

Essentially, a template is a separate page in the "Template". By including the name of that page enclosed in  { {two curly brackets}} and placing it on another page, the entire contents of that template page will be displayed where you've placed it - this is called transclusion. Note that the Wikitext typed remains as it was typed, while when reading the page it is replaced by the template content. For the Wikitext to change as well, substitution must be used. Many templates have s, or fields, that modify its appearance and content, so it can be customized to any situation.

Navigation Templates

 * See all navigation templates

Navigation templates are used to link together pages with related subjects, for the benefit of readers. As the name suggests, they facilitate navigation between these pages, by providing an organized set of links to other articles. They are typically placed at the bottom of pages. Navigation templates contain little or no s to modify.

Examples of navigation templates include or. s are useful for making navigation templates such as, by allowing the reader to click different places on an image to navigate to other pages.

Infoboxes

 * See all infobox templates

Infobox templates - typically placed near the top of pages, beneath notice templates - provide a summary of the article's subject. Each infobox template will have several specific fields which cover topics relating to the subject. For example, has fields for the game's release date, the publisher, the ESRB rating, etc.

Notice Templates

 * See all notice templates

These templates inform users about present conditions or situations that a given article is currently in. They are placed at the top of pages. Most notice templates temporarily mark articles needing attention, calling for editors to fix them. For example, marks articles lacking sources,  marks articles proposed for merging, and so on. When such templates beneficial to editors are placed on a page, these templates automatically the page to so editors can find them. The templates are removed once the corresponding issues are addressed. Some notice templates have a date parameter to show how long an article has been flagged.

Some notice templates are placed permanently on pages. These are for the benefit of readers rather than editors. For example, is permanently placed on articles or sections that cover non-canon topics.

Formatting Templates

 * See all formatting templates

Formatting templates help the standardization of formatting across the Wiki - they essentially mold what you've written to appear a certain way. An excellent example would be the template, which ensures that all in-game citations in references appear the same and consistent throughout the entire site. These templates also make formatting quicker and simpler and reduce mistakes - take the game shortcuts, for example.

Formatting templates may contain extra parameters to modify it's appearance when customization is desired.

Inline Templates

 * See all inline templates

Inline templates display messages within an article's text, and are a type of notice template. They are essentially miniature notice templates: instead of marking entire articles, they mark specific sentences in articles. Like regular notice templates, an inline template identifies a problem with a sentence and is removed once an editor addresses the problem. ,, , , , and are examples of such templates. is a permanent inline template used to mark conjectural or fan-made names.

Making a Template
The easiest way is to type  { {your template name}} to the Sandbox, and click on the red link that appears after saving or previewing. At the resulting editing page, you can create your template, which is most easily done by copying and pasting the code from a similar template; then you can just modify it.

Make sure that directly after the end of your template text (not even leaving a space nor new line!) you add to begin any section detailing how to use the template, and also the add the necessary category for that template, and at the very end type to enclose the section and category. Do not finish the template, create a new line, and then add the tag.

Testing a Template
When editing a template, a "preview page with this template" option will appear at the bottom of the edit form. In the "page title" box, enter the name of a page that currently uses the template and pressing the adjacent "show preview" button. This allows you to preview the template as it would appear on that page if you had saved the edit.

The template sandbox Template:Test (in the list of sandboxes at Zelda Wiki:Sandbox) can be used to test your templates.

ed templates can also be tested on pages using Special:TemplateSandbox. Please refer to MediaWiki for more information on this feature.

Alternatively, since one can not only Templates but ordinary pages (e.g.   will display the entire bombchu article content), then for example you can create your own template sandbox on , and type   into a sandbox to use it.

In addition, after making a template, you can view it or troubleshoot issues with Special:ExpandTemplates, which will expand all templates recursively, i.e. repeatedly substituting all template (and templates in templates) until no  remain.

Categories
Many templates automatically pages when used. For example, an article tagged with will automatically be added to Category:Articles lacking sources.

Category Suppression
Templates with this feature will usually have an option to disable automatic categorization. This is known as. Category suppression is useful when using a template for something other than its intended purpose - for instance, a template gallery or list, such as the one above.

Some templates automatically suppress categories when used in the "User" namespace. This prevents these articles from appearing in categories intended for the only.

Examples
The following is a list of popular notice and inline templates. A list of formatting templates can be found here.

{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="2" style="color: #D2D2D2; border: 1px solid #426787; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; text-align: left;" ! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background-color: #1d578b; border: 1px solid #426787;" | Notice Templates ! What to type and What it's for !! What it makes 
 * Alert readers to disputed accuracy.
 * Alert readers to ambiguous canon status.
 * Alert readers to read but not edit the archive.
 * Alert readers to ambiguous canon status.
 * Alert readers to read but not edit the archive.
 * Alert readers to read but not edit the archive.
 * Alert readers to read but not edit the archive.
 * Alert readers to read but not edit the archive.
 * This page is an archive. The contents have been moved from another page for reference purposes only, and should be preserved in their current form. Discussion or voting on this page is not current. Please do not add new comments to this page because they probably won't be noticed by anyone. Instead, direct any comments to the current talk page.

A nav template to get to archived versions. (Note: It floats to the right.)   Archives:
 * 
 * 
 * <...and so on!>
 * 
 * <...and so on!>
 * Put a link to an archive here
 * Link to another archive
 * Used to identify pages in general need of improvement. Replace with that day's date or ~, and with a valid name from here
 * or Alert editors to potential copyright issues. See Template:Copyvio for information on and.
 * Alerts staff to an image to be deleted, and a reason. See Template:Imdel for parameter information.
 * Alerts staff to an article to be deleted, preferably after seeking consensus.
 * Alerts readers that the page is a disambiguation page for articles of the same name, designed to list these articles. Such a page is usually found from performing a search. (An article should not link to such a page if the intended topic has its own specific article).
 * Alerts staff to an image to be deleted, and a reason. See Template:Imdel for parameter information.
 * Alerts staff to an article to be deleted, preferably after seeking consensus.
 * Alerts readers that the page is a disambiguation page for articles of the same name, designed to list these articles. Such a page is usually found from performing a search. (An article should not link to such a page if the intended topic has its own specific article).
 * Alerts staff to an article to be deleted, preferably after seeking consensus.
 * Alerts readers that the page is a disambiguation page for articles of the same name, designed to list these articles. Such a page is usually found from performing a search. (An article should not link to such a page if the intended topic has its own specific article).
 * Alerts staff to an article to be deleted, preferably after seeking consensus.
 * Alerts readers that the page is a disambiguation page for articles of the same name, designed to list these articles. Such a page is usually found from performing a search. (An article should not link to such a page if the intended topic has its own specific article).
 * Alerts readers that the page is a disambiguation page for articles of the same name, designed to list these articles. Such a page is usually found from performing a search. (An article should not link to such a page if the intended topic has its own specific article).
 * Alerts readers that the page is a disambiguation page for articles of the same name, designed to list these articles. Such a page is usually found from performing a search. (An article should not link to such a page if the intended topic has its own specific article).

&#91; citation needed &#93;
 * or (Inline template) Notifies editors that a source is needed for a statement. See Template:Fact for.
 * or (Inline template) Notifies editors that a source is needed for a statement. See Template:Fact for.
 * or Use on content concerning unreleased material. See Template:Future game for.
 * or If the article topic has its own gallery page, use to send viewers to this page. (Gallery:Link used for in this example)
 * or Notifies editors to remove the strategy guide style of the article. For, put Article or Section corresponding to where the template needs to be, and is, placed.
 * A message to inform people that haven't been signing their talkspace posts. Use this as a message on their User Talk page. Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.
 * or If the article topic has its own gallery page, use to send viewers to this page. (Gallery:Link used for in this example)
 * or Notifies editors to remove the strategy guide style of the article. For, put Article or Section corresponding to where the template needs to be, and is, placed.
 * A message to inform people that haven't been signing their talkspace posts. Use this as a message on their User Talk page. Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.
 * or Notifies editors to remove the strategy guide style of the article. For, put Article or Section corresponding to where the template needs to be, and is, placed.
 * A message to inform people that haven't been signing their talkspace posts. Use this as a message on their User Talk page. Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.
 * A message to inform people that haven't been signing their talkspace posts. Use this as a message on their User Talk page. Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.
 * A message to inform people that haven't been signing their talkspace posts. Use this as a message on their User Talk page. Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.

Signatures
Hello, < User>! I noticed that you seem to be having some trouble with the signature coding — don't worry, it happens a lot. You only need to type one thing:

That's it. Just those four tildes. They automatically add your name and the time you made your post, so you don't have to type any of that yourself!
 * A message the bot will automatically send to all new users.
 * A message the bot will automatically send to all new users.

Hello
 < Name>   The neutrality of this article or section is disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the article's talk page. 
 * or Post this on articles lacking images.
 * Note that not all browsers are equal. Some users may place this on articles that seem fine, but are a mess in their browser, so even if it looks fine, if possible don't remove it before asking the one who placed it.
 * Used to flag a lead (or lede) that does not properly summarize its article's contents.
 * For example, when placed on article A, it is used to suggest that article A is merged with Link, Princess Zelda, ... . It should appropriately be placed on Link, Princess Zelda, ... also.
 * or Use to recommend moving a page to a new title.
 * This template indicates names that are purely fan creations.
 * Used to flag a lead (or lede) that does not properly summarize its article's contents.
 * For example, when placed on article A, it is used to suggest that article A is merged with Link, Princess Zelda, ... . It should appropriately be placed on Link, Princess Zelda, ... also.
 * or Use to recommend moving a page to a new title.
 * This template indicates names that are purely fan creations.
 * For example, when placed on article A, it is used to suggest that article A is merged with Link, Princess Zelda, ... . It should appropriately be placed on Link, Princess Zelda, ... also.
 * or Use to recommend moving a page to a new title.
 * This template indicates names that are purely fan creations.
 * or Use to recommend moving a page to a new title.
 * This template indicates names that are purely fan creations.
 * This template indicates names that are purely fan creations.
 * This template indicates names that are purely fan creations.
 * Notifies editors of potential bias on a subject.
 * Notifies editors of potential bias on a subject.
 * A hybrid notice and navigation template for the News archives.
 * A hybrid notice and navigation template for the News archives.

Announcement Archives

2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012 – 2011 – 2010 – 2009 – 2008 – 2007 – 2006 – 2005 Latest Announcements ''This template was placed here to prevent this article from clogging up the Wanted Pages. Once whichever template created the red-link is removed from the article, or text is entered into this talk page, please remove this template.''
 * Helps clear out the Wanted Pages. Pages that use it.
 * Helps clear out the Wanted Pages. Pages that use it.

or wrap some content:

Content

Alerts readers to the canon status of an article or, in the latter, article section. The former is used to illustrate:  Non-Canon Information

—Preceding unsigned comment added by The Groosenator (talk) 
 * Identify talkspace posters that did not sign the post with name and time. is generally ~
 * Identify talkspace posters that did not sign the post with name and time. is generally ~
 * A message to editors that uploaded images without sourcing them. Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.
 * A message to editors that uploaded images without sourcing them. Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.

Image(s) uploaded
Hi! Thank you for the new image(s) you recently uploaded; the wiki appreciates your contributions! We've introduced a policy of crediting the original source of any images used here, so we ask that you please take a moment to let everyone know where your images came from using FileInfo. For more information, see this explanation, and any questions you may have will be answered by the staff here. Thanks for your help!
 * Informs talkspace posters that the discussion is not related to the wiki.
 * Informs the staff of a page that may need to be protected.
 * Informs editors that a page has been fully protected (only administrators can edit it). It is a key icon (as illustrated) to the right of page title.
 * Informs the staff of a page that may need to be protected.
 * Informs editors that a page has been fully protected (only administrators can edit it). It is a key icon (as illustrated) to the right of page title.
 * Informs editors that a page has been fully protected (only administrators can edit it). It is a key icon (as illustrated) to the right of page title.
 * Informs editors that a page has been fully protected (only administrators can edit it). It is a key icon (as illustrated) to the right of page title.
 * Informs editors that a page has been fully protected (only administrators can edit it). It is a key icon (as illustrated) to the right of page title.
 * Used when suggesting an article's section be split away into its own page.
 * Used when suggesting an article's section be split away into its own page.
 * Alerts users that an article does not properly complement some other articles, e.g. Link, Princess Zelda, etc.
 * Marks a specific section of an article as a stub (too short). If the stub section covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g..
 * Marks a specific section of an article as a stub (too short). If the stub section covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g..
 * Marks a specific section of an article as a stub (too short). If the stub section covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g..
 * Marks a specific section of an article as a stub (too short). If the stub section covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g..


 * This section of the page is incomplete. You can help Zelda Wiki by expanding it . 


 * To be placed above articles that generally lack references. If the article covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g..
 * Tags an article as a stub (too short). If the stub article covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g.
 * Tags an article as a stub (too short). If the stub article covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g.
 * Tags an article as a stub (too short). If the stub article covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g.
 * Tags an article as a stub (too short). If the stub article covers multiple games, use additional parameters, e.g.


 * This article is a stub . You can help Zelda Wiki by expanding it . 

or wrap some content:

Content

This template indicates that either a section or an entire article contains unconfirmed fan theories. The former is used to illustrate:  Theory Warning


 * <Article Name> A canned (i.e. prewritten) message to send to a user (put on their talk page) after reverting an edit of theirs made on an article that was nonconstructive (See message:). Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.
 * <Article Name> A canned (i.e. prewritten) message to send to a user (put on their talk page) after reverting an edit of theirs made on an article that was nonconstructive (See message:). Note that the template does not automatically sign it for you.

Nonconstructive Edits
Hello! The recent edit(s) you have made to the page, <Article Name>, do not appear to be constructive and have been reverted. Please refrain from adding nonsense or irrelevant content to Zelda Wiki. If you are not sure what content is acceptable, then see our Quality Standards. If you would like to experiment with editing, please use the Sandbox. If you feel that there has been a mistake and that you believe that your edits were valid, then report it on that page's respective talk page. —Preceding undated comment added on <date/time> ''This text was placed here to eliminate the user's user page from clogging up Wanted Pages and/or to remove redlinks from talk pages. If you are the user, please feel free to let the public know a little more about you.'' See also: Satoru Iwata on
 * Similar to the Nosig template, but specifically for signed, but not dated, talkspace posts.
 * Similar to the Nosig template, but specifically for signed, but not dated, talkspace posts.
 * Notifies editors of articles that are out of date following the release of new information, namely new Zelda games. See Template:Update for more options.
 * Filler/Placeholder information to put on a user page that has not been created and is on the wanted pages list.
 * Filler/Placeholder information to put on a user page that has not been created and is on the wanted pages list.
 * Filler/Placeholder information to put on a user page that has not been created and is on the wanted pages list.
 * Filler/Placeholder information to put on a user page that has not been created and is on the wanted pages list.
 * Notifies editors of a frequently vandalized page's current protected status.
 * Links to a Wikipedia article. The example uses.
 * Links to a Wikipedia article. The example uses.
 * Links to a Wikipedia article. The example uses.
 * Links to a Wikipedia article. The example uses.
 * Flags articles with out-of-universe speaking style.
 * }
 * }
 * }