Help:Contents
This page provideshelp with the most common questions aboutWikipedia.
You can also search Wikipedia's help pages using the search box below, or browse theHelp menuor theHelp directory.
Readorfindan article
TheReaders' FAQand ourabout pagecontain 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, seeHelp:Searching.
There are other ways to browse and explore Wikipedia articles; many can be found atWikipedia:Contents.See ourdisclaimerfor cautions about Wikipedia's limitations.
Formobile access,press themobile viewlink at the very bottom of everydesktop viewpage.
Editan article
Contributing is easy: seehow to edit a page.For a quick summary on participating, seecontributing to Wikipedia,and for a friendly tutorial, seeour introduction.For a listing of introductions and tutorials by topic, seegetting started.TheSimplified Manual of StyleandCheatsheetcan remind you of basic wiki markup.
Be boldin improving articles! When adding facts, pleaseprovide referencesso others may verify them. If you are affiliated with the article subject, please see ourconflict of interest guideline.
Thesimple guide to vandalism cleanupcan help you undo malicious edits.
If you're looking for places you can help out, theTask Centeris the place to go, or check out what else is happening at thecommunity portal.You can practice editing and experiment inasandboxyoursandbox.
Report a problemwith an article
If there is a problem with an article about yourself, a family member, a friend or a colleague, please readBiographies 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 pagefor more information.
If you don't feel ready to fix the article yourself, post a message on the article'stalk page.This will bring the matter to the attention of others who work on that article. There is a "Talk" link at the beginning ofeveryarticle page.
You cancontact us.If it's an article about you or your organization, seeContact us – Subjects.
Create a new articleorupload media
CheckYour first articleto see if your topic is appropriate, then theArticle wizardwill walk you through creating the article.
Once you have created an article, seeWriting better articlesfor guidance on how to improve it and what to include (like referencecitations).
For contributing images, audio or video files, see theIntroduction to uploading images.Then theUpload wizardwill guide you through that process.
Stuck?
Answers to common problems can be found atfrequently asked questions.
Or check outwhere to ask questions or make comments.
New users should seek help at theTeahouseif they're having problems editing Wikipedia.
More complex questions can be posed at theHelp desk.Volunteers will respond as soon as they're able.
Orand a volunteer will visit you there!
You can get live help with editing in thehelp chatroom.
For help with technical issues, ask at theVillage pump.
Factual questions
Ifsearching Wikipediahas not answered your question (for example, questions like "Which country has the world's largest fishing fleet?"), try theReference Desk.Volunteers there will attempt to answer your questions on any topic, or point you toward the information you need.
Directories
- Directory:main list of directories and indexes.
- Help directory:for informative, instructional and consultation pages.
- Request directory:for services and assistance that can be requested on Wikipedia.
Protocols and conventions
- Policy directory:official policies for "English Wikipedia".
- Guideline directory:official guidelines for "English Wikipedia".
- Manual of Style directory:pages related to the style manual of Wikipedia articles.
- Departments:for the different divisions of Wikipedia.
- Editor's index:for everything an editor needs to know to work on Wikipedia.
- Essay directory:for Wikipedia namespace essays.
- Dashboard:for current discussions taking place throughout Wikipedia.
- WikiProjects:for people who want to work together as a team to improve Wikipedia.
MediaWiki software
Helpby topic
- Help Menu:for searching by subject matter.
- Navigating Wikipedia:for searching and browsing the encyclopedia.
- Joining Wikipedia:how to get involved.
- Editing Wikipedia:has general help for editors.
- Links and references:has help for creating links, or dealing with references
- Images and media:how to use images, videos and sound files.
- Keeping track of changes:how to track the evolution of a page, or follow a user.
- Policies and guidelines:for community standards.
- Asking questions:volunteers will attempt to answer.
- The Wikipedia community:how to submit or debate a proposal.
- Resources and lists:has resources for editors.
- Account settings:has tips and tools for registered users.
- Technical information:has tools for advanced users, and troubleshooting.
- Site map:is the above thirteen pages on one single page.
Tipof the day
Wikipedia is currently fighting awar on vandalism.Wikipedia is vandalized many thousands of times per day, with most of these occurrences corrected within minutes or even seconds. This requires many volunteers in an organized effort to repair this damage. The Wikipedians on the front lines of this battle are the members of Wikipedia's intrepidCounter-Vandalism Unit(CVU). The CVU has developed specialized tools, procedures, and initiatives for fighting vandalism on Wikipedia. You can be of great service to Wikipedia by joining the CVU.
