Wikimd:How to edit a page

Introduction

Editing a page on WikiMD is a fundamental skill that allows users to contribute to the collective knowledge base of medical information. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to edit a page, ensuring that contributions are accurate, well-formatted, and valuable to the community.

Getting Started

Before you begin editing, it is important to familiarize yourself with the editing guidelines and content policies to ensure that your contributions adhere to the community standards.

Creating an Account

While it is possible to edit pages without an account, creating an account offers several benefits, including the ability to track your contributions, communicate with other editors, and gain access to additional editing tools.

Navigating to the Edit Page

To edit a page, navigate to the page you wish to edit and click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the page. This will open the page in the editing interface, where you can make changes to the text.

Editing Interface

The editing interface provides a text box where you can modify the content of the page. Familiarize yourself with the wikitext syntax, which is used to format text, create links, and add other elements to the page.

Basic Formatting

- **Bold text**: Use three apostrophes () on either side of the text to make it bold. - **Italic text**: Use two apostrophes () on either side of the text to italicize it. - **Headings**: Create headings by using equal signs (==) on either side of the heading text.

Creating Links

- **Internal links**: Use double square brackets ([[ ]]) to create links to other WikiMD pages. For example, WikiMD:Main Page links to the main page. - **External links**: Use single square brackets ([ ]) to create links to external websites. Include the URL followed by a space and the link text.

Adding References

Citing reliable sources is crucial for maintaining the credibility of WikiMD. Use the <ref> tag to add references, and include a <references /> tag at the bottom of the page to display them.

Previewing and Saving Changes

Before saving your changes, use the "Show preview" button to review your edits and ensure that everything appears as intended. Once satisfied, click "Save changes" and provide a brief summary of your edits in the summary box.

Common Editing Tasks

- **Correcting typos and grammar**: Ensure that the text is free of spelling and grammatical errors. - **Updating information**: Keep the content current by adding new information and removing outdated material. - **Improving clarity**: Rewrite sections for clarity and conciseness.

Also see

- WikiMD:Editing guidelines - WikiMD:Content policies - WikiMD:Wikitext - WikiMD:How to create a new page

Conclusion

Editing pages on WikiMD is a collaborative effort that enhances the quality and breadth of medical information available to users. By following the guidelines and using the editing tools effectively, you can make meaningful contributions to the WikiMD community.