Editing Guide

==Introduction==
__TOC__ 
The FFXIclopedia is a wiki, which means that anyone can easily edit any unprotected page and save those changes immediately to that page. 
Editing a FFXIclopedia page is not very hard. Simply click on the "edit" tab at the top of a FFXIclopedia page. This will bring you to a new page with a text box containing the editable text of the original page. If you just want to experiment, please do so in the sandbox; not here. You should write a short summary in the small field below the edit-box. When you have finished, press the Show Preview button to see how your changes will look. You can also see the difference between the page with your edits and the previous version of the page by pressing the Show Changes button. If you're satisfied with what you see, press the Save page button. Your changes will immediately be visible to other FFXIclopedia users.
You can also click on the "Discussion" tab to see the corresponding talk page, which contains comments about the page from other FFXIclopedia users. Click on the "+" tab to add a new section, or edit the page in the same way as an article page.
You should remember to sign your messages on talk pages, but you should not sign edits you make to regular articles. In page histories, the software keeps track of which user makes each change.
See also the template page for some templates which can be used.
==Neutrality==
Please remember when editing articles that this site is for factual information regarding the Final Fantasy XI universe and is intended to be used as a source database. Please do not populate the articles with opinions regarding your personal feelings about a topic. Ex: XX race stinks at XX job. If there are multiple points of view regarding a topic, and you feel that the content would be suitable for an article, please be sure to present both sides of the argument and give a neutral point of view on the topic. Ex: The pros and cons to meleeing RDMs.
==Case==
Also, please remember, when creating links, case matters. If you create a link in one instance where a letter is capitalized, and another where it is not, they will be two separate links. Please be consistent. Otherwise, we poor sysops need to go back and edit all the mislinks. ^^;
There are steps around this, though. Case only matters after the first word. For example "case" and "Case" will link to the same page, but "Case test" and "Case Test" will not.
==Creating A New Article==
* To create a new page: 
*# Create a link to it on some other (related) page.
*# Save that page.
*# Click on the link you just made. The new page will open for editing.
*Or put http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/YOUR ARTICLE NAME in the address bar of your browser and click the edit tab.
==Tips on editing FFXIclopedia articles==
Always use a neutral point of view. FFXIclopedia is not a soapbox. The only exception to this is you create your own guide and place the text {{guide}} at the top.
Link to your article from other articles. After making a new page, it's a good idea to use the What links here feature to check the pages that already link to your new page. Make sure that all the links are referring to your page in the right context. You should also use the search feature to find occurrences of the title of your new page—and possible variants thereof—so that you can create appropriate links.
==Minor edits==
When editing an article page on this site, a logged-in user can mark that edit as being "minor". Minor edits generally mean spelling corrections, formatting, and minor rearrangement of text. It can also be used to mark the removal of vandalism.
==Multilingual FFXIclopedia==
===Multilingual Links===
FFXIclopedia is published in five different languages: English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish. It is possible to link to the same page in each different language simply by placing an interwiki link on the page you are editing. The interwiki link will appear on the left side of the screen just below the toolbox. Please note, it is not possible to link to the other language version if it has not already been created in the other wiki. Please also note, these are totally separate wiki databases, and thus the pages do not exist in the other languages unless they were actually created.
To create the interwiki language link, place the cross-wiki link at the top of the page. The format is: [[language designation:name of page]]. Be sure to use the name of the page as it appears in the other language.
Thus, on the Main Page, for example:
:English: [[en:Main Page]]
:German: [[de:Hauptseite]]
:French: [[fr:Accueil]]
:Japanese: [[ja:メインページ]]
:Spanish: [[es:Portada]]
===Multilingual Images===
The images for each language database are completely separate. In order to access an image in the other language wikis, a new image will need to be updated to that database. 
Currently, Square Enix supports the following languages: English, French, German and Japanese. Therefore, it is possible to obtain copies of the images from the game in each of these languages. However, Square Enix does not currently support Spanish as a language in the game. At this time, FFXIclopedia is using English language images for the Spanish language FFXIclopedia.
==Wiki markup==
The wiki markup is the syntax system you can use to format a FFXIclopedia page.
In the left column of the table below, you can see what effects are possible. In the right column, you can see how those effects were achieved. In other words, to make text look like it looks in the left column, type it in the format you see in the right column.
You may want to keep this page open in a separate browser window for reference. If you want to try out things without danger of doing any harm, you can do so in the Sandbox. Try opening the Sandbox in a separate window or tab and keeping this page open for reference.
===Article Formatting===
What it looks like	What you type
Start your sections as follows:
New section
Subsection
Sub-subsection
* Start with a second-level heading (==); don't use first-level headings (=).
* Don't skip levels (for example, second-level followed by fourth-level).
* A Table of Contents will automatically be added to an article that has four or more sections. 
* Putting __TOC__ anywhere forces the TOC to appear at that point (instead of just before the first header). Putting __NOTOC__ anywhere forces the TOC to disappear.
*Insert __NOEDITSECTION__ into the document to suppress the edit links that appear next to every section header.	
<nowiki>
==New section==
===Subsection===
====Sub-subsection====
</nowiki>
A single newline
generally has no effect on the layout.
These can be used to separate
sentences within a paragraph.
Some editors find that this aids editing.
But an empty line
starts a new paragraph.
* When used in a list, a newline does affect the layout (see below).	
<nowiki>
A single newline
generally has no effect on the layout.
These can be used to separate
sentences within a paragraph.
Some editors find that this aids editing.
But an empty line
starts a new paragraph.
</nowiki>
You can break lines
without starting a new paragraph.	
<nowiki>
You can break lines
without starting a new paragraph.
</nowiki>
* It's easy to create a list:
** Start every line with a star (asterisk).
*** More stars means deeper levels.
**** A newline in a list marks the end of a list item.
* An empty line starts a new list.	
<nowiki>
* It's easy to create a list:
** Start every line with a star.
*** More stars means deeper levels.
**** A newline in a list marks the end of a list item.
* An empty line starts a new list.
</nowiki>
# Numbered lists are also good
## very organized
## easy to follow
### easier still	
<nowiki>
# Numbered lists are also good
## very organized
## easy to follow
### easier still
</nowiki>
; Definition list : list of definitions
; item : the item's definition
; another item
: the other item's definition
* Begin with a semicolon. One item per line; a newline can appear before the colon, but using a space before the colon improves parsing.	
<nowiki>
; Definition list : list of definitions
; item : the item's definition
; another item
: the other item's definition
</nowiki>
* You can even create mixed lists
*# and nest them
*#* like this
*#*; can I mix definition list as well?
*#*: yes
*#*; how?
*#*: it's easy as
*#*:* a 
*#*:* b
*#*:* c	
<nowiki>
* You can even create mixed lists
*# and nest them
*#* like this
*#*; can I mix definition list as well?
*#*: yes
*#*; how?
*#*: it's easy as
*#*:* a 
*#*:* b
*#*:* c
</nowiki>
: A colon indents a line or paragraph.
A manual newline starts a new paragraph.	
<nowiki>
: A colon indents a line or paragraph.
A manual newline starts a new paragraph.
</nowiki>
When there is a need for separating a block of text
the blockquote command will indent both margins when needed instead of the left margin only as the colon does. 
 
This is useful for (as the name says) inserting blocks of quoted (and cited) text.	
<nowiki>
The blockquote command will indent 
both margins when needed instead of the 
left margin only as the colon does. 
</nowiki>
Centered text. 	
<nowiki>
Centered text.
</nowiki>
A horizontal dividing line:
this is above it
----
and this is below it.	
<nowiki>
A horizontal dividing line:
this is above it
----
and this is below it.
</nowiki>
===Links and URLs===
What it looks like	What you type
FFXIclopedia has an article on the Beastmaster job.
* A link to another FFXIclopedia article.
* Internally, the first letter of the target page is automatically capitalized and spaces are represented as underscores (typing an underscore in the link has the same effect as typing a space, but is not recommended).	
<nowiki>
FFXIclopedia has an article on the [[Beastmaster]] job.
</nowiki>
FFXIclopedia also has a NPC Guide.
* Same target, different name.
* The actual article name must be placed first, the text that will be displayed, second.	
<nowiki>
FFXIclopedia also has a [[Adventuring Fellow Guide|NPC Guide]].
</nowiki>
FFXIclopedia also has a few Armor Storers.
* Endings are blended into the link.	
<nowiki>
FFXIclopedia also has a few [[Armor Storer]]s.
</nowiki>
FFXIclopedia:Editing Guide is this page.
* Self links appear as bold text when the article is viewed.	
<nowiki>
[[FFXIclopedia:Editing Guide]] is this page.
</nowiki>
When adding a comment to a Talk page,
you should sign it by adding
three tildes to add your user name:
: Gahoo
or four to add user name plus date/time:
: Gahoo 07:25, 5 April 2006 (PDT)
Five tildes gives the date/time alone:
: 07:25, 5 April 2006 (PDT)
* The first two both provide a link to your user page.	
<nowiki>
When adding a comment to a Talk page,
you should sign it by adding
three tildes to add your user name:
: ~~~
or four for user name plus date/time:
: ~~~~
Five tildes gives the date/time alone:
: ~~~~~
</nowiki>
* Redirecting one article title to another by placing a directive like the one shown to the right on the first line of the article (such as at a page titled "Parrying").
* Note that, while it is possible to link to a section, it is not possible to redirect to a section.	
<nowiki>
#REDIRECT [[Parrying]]
</nowiki>
* To put an article in a Category, place a link like the one to the right anywhere in the article. Placement at the beginning or end of the edit box is recommended.	
<nowiki>
[[Category:Guides]]
</nowiki>
* To link to a Category page without putting the article into the category, use an initial colon (:) in the link.	
<nowiki>
[[:Category:Guides]]
</nowiki>
The prefered way to link to external (non-FFXIclopedia) sources is a named link:
:Avengers
* Square brackets indicate an external link. Note the use of a space (not a pipe) to separate the URL from the link text in the "named" version.	
<nowiki>
Avengers
</nowiki>
The prefered way to link to Wikipedia sources is an internal link:
:Final Fantasy XI
* Double square brackets indicate an internal link. Note the use of a pipe (not a space) to separate the article from the text you wish to display.	
<nowiki>
[[Wikipedia:Final Fantasy XI|Final Fantasy XI]]
</nowiki>
===See Also===
:*Edit Toolbar
==Uploading Images==
Uploading images to the Wiki is allowed. When adding new pictures, please be sure to follow the Image Policy.
Please be aware that when taking screenshots from FFXI on a PS2 that extraneous EXIF data gets put into the header of the image. What this does, is prevents the Wiki from creating a thumbnail image, and causes thumbnails to look like a black box. To work around this, before uploading an image, open the image in any image editing software (Photoshop, Gimp, etc) and save the file with a new name. This will rewrite the EXIF data and allow the Wiki to show thumbnail images properly.
===Images===
Only images that have been uploaded to FFXIclopedia can be used, images linked from external sites are not supported. To upload images, use the upload page. You can find the uploaded image on the image list.
What it looks like 	What you type
A picture: 	A picture: 
<nowiki>[[File:Job-ul-warrior.jpg]]</nowiki>
With alternative text: 	With alternative text:
<nowiki>[[File:Job-ul-warrior.jpg|Warrior]]</nowiki>
* Alternative text, used when a mouse hovers over the image or when the image is not loaded in a text-only browser, or when spoken aloud, is strongly encouraged.
Floating to the right side of the page and with a caption:	Floating to the right side of the page
and with a caption:
<nowiki>[[File:Job-ul-warrior.jpg|frame|Warrior]]</nowiki>
* The frame tag automatically floats the image right.
* The caption is also used as alternate text.
Linking directly to an image without displaying it: 	Linking directly to an image
without displaying it:
<nowiki>[[media:Job-ul-warrior.jpg|Warrior]]</nowiki>
* To include links to images shown as links instead of drawn on the page, use a "media" link.
===Character Formatting===
What it looks like	What you type
Emphasized textStrong emphasisEven stronger emphasis	
<nowiki>
Emphasized text
Strong emphasis
Even stronger emphasis
</nowiki>
You can use small text for captions.	
<nowiki>
You can use small text for captions.
</nowiki>
Better stay away from big text, unless it's within small text.	
<nowiki>
Better stay away from big text, 
unless it's within small text.
</nowiki>
You can use templates to create colored text.
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:	
<nowiki>
:{{Color|blue|Blue Text}}
:{{Color|red|Red Text}}
:{{Color|beige|Beige Text}}
:{{Color|green|Green Text}}
:{{Color|light blue|Light Blue Text}}
:{{Color|black|Black Text}}
:{{Color|purple|Purple Text}}
:{{Color|gray|Gray Text}}
</nowiki>
You can also make colorful links.
:	
<nowiki>:[[Light Crystal|{{Light|Light Crystal}}]]</nowiki>
==Missing Material==
Can't find what you are looking for? Go to our Requests Page. Click the edit button at the top of the page and type in your request at the bottom the list in the edit box. Be sure to number your request by putting a "# " before your request so that we can differentiate each request. At some point in the future, another user will see your request and add the necessary content for you.
== Moving Material ==
See Discussion of Redirects
The Sysops of this site have agreed to use the following guidelines to ensure attribution of contributor's works on FFXIclopedia:
The primary method for moving material should be by use of the Move template.
Add this code:
<nowiki>
 {{Move|<insert the proposed page name you want to move it to>}}
</nowiki>
replacing "<insert the proposed page name you want to move it to>" with the properly spelled page name on the page to nominate to be moved.
This nominates the page to be moved by an FFXIclopedia Administrator.
Special thanks to Wikipedia:How to edit a page guide.
== Deleting Material ==
Please see FFXIclopedia:Guide to Deletion.
== See Also ==
*FFXIclopedia:How to use the Item Template and other useful Editing Tips
ja:FFXIclopedia:Editing Guide
de:FFXIclopedia:Bearbeitungs-Leitfaden
category:Guidescategory:featured Articles