Help:Getting started

Wikipedia Help desk
Page semi-protected
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

As a new editor, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer size and scope of Wikipedia. Don't fret! Here are some resources that you can look into:

Overview tutorials

A video that articulates the diversity and enthusiasm of the Wikipedia Community. (4:10 min)

Topic-specific introductions

  • Introduction to navigating Wikipedia: a seven-part guide to navigating Wikipedia: Introduction; Namespaces; Searching pages; Page histories; Redirects and shortcuts; Useful links; and Summary.

Protocols and conventions

Editing with Source editor

  • Introduction to editing
    : a six-part guide to editing: Editing pages; Formatting; Links and wikilinks; Saving your changes; Creating new articles; and Summary.
  • Introduction to referencing
    : a five-part introduction to referencing: Verifiability; Inline citations; RefToolbar; Reliable sources; and Summary.
  • Introduction to uploading images
    : a four-part guide on uploading images: Introduction; Uploading images; Using an image; and Summary.
  • Introduction to tables
    : a four-part guide to putting tables in pages: Introduction to tables; Editing tables; Expanding tables; and Summary.
  • talk pages
    : Talk pages; User talk pages; Layout; Examples; Drawing attention; and Summary.

Editing with VisualEditor

  • Introduction to editing with VisualEditor
    : a six-part introduction to editing with VisualEditor: Opening the editor; Toolbar basics; Links and wikilinks; Publishing changes; Creating new articles; and Summary.
  • Introduction to referencing with VisualEditor
    : a six-part introduction to referencing: Verifiability; Adding references; Editing existing ones; Reusing references; Reliable sources; and Summary.
  • Introduction to uploading images with VisualEditor
    : a six-part guide on uploading images: Introduction; Uploading images; Inserting images; Editing the details; Galleries; and Summary.
  • Introduction to tables with VisualEditor
    : a five-part guide to putting tables in pages: Introduction to tables; Editing tables; Adding new tables; Expanding tables; and Summary.

Training for student assignments

These self-guided trainings help users involved with student assignments to learn the basics of Wikipedia.

  • Training for students: students start here! A four-part, 57-page training intended for students doing assignments on Wikipedia, with more detailed introductions to core Wikipedia policies, editing basics, and more specific editing advice for students. Chapters: Welcome (4 pages); The Core (14 pages); Editing (24 pages); and Advanced and background (15 pages).
  • Training for educators: educators start here! A five-part, 97-page training for professors and other educators who want to run Wikipedia assignments for class, with introductions to core Wikipedia policies, editing basics, and an overview of best practices for designing and implementing Wikipedia assignments.

Guides

Quick guides

Overview articles

Books and videos

  • The Missing Manual: a comprehensive how-to book that explains everything about contributing for novice to expert editors.
  • Wikipedia instructional material : a listing of screencasts, videos, and books.
  • The Bookshelf: (external link) a vast collection of high-quality, freely licensed, user-generated informational material about Wikipedia.

Specialised tutorials

  • Pictures tutorial
    : how to insert pictures in pages. A long tutorial, but the basics are simple.
  • Wikipedia:Graphics tutorials: lots of links to graphics software tutorials.
  • Internet Relay Chat
    on Wikipedia.

Help resources and assistance