Wikipedia:Signature tutorial
This is an information page. It is not one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines; rather, its purpose is to explain certain aspects of Wikipedia's norms, customs, technicalities, or practices. It may reflect differing levels of consensus and vetting. |
Your
Be sure to comply with "Your signature must not blink, scroll, or otherwise cause inconvenience to or annoy other editors."
Note that changing your signature will not change signatures that have already been produced, only ones that are created after save has been clicked.
Also note that the basics to changing the background of signatures is included on the Wikipedia:Signatures page (though more in-depth instructions are soon to follow)
UserBob currently has a very simple signature:
As a result, he would like to produce a more complicated signature.
Nickname
The easiest way to customise your signature is to change the 'Signature' section of the user profile preferences. This changes the name shown to other users to the new nickname.
For example, if UserBob typed "Bob" into the 'Signature' section of his preferences page and clicked 'save' (making sure the box marked "Raw signature" is not selected), his signature would change to
Note that it still links to User:UserBob, but says "Bob". This is useful if you no longer like your name, but don't want it changed altogether. However, it is good practice to have your nickname related in an obvious way to your real username; if UserBob chose the nickname "Jenkinson", this would be confusing, since other users would have no idea who "Jenkinson" was, even if UserBob's real name is Jenkinson.
Contributions pages
UserBob would like to link his signature to his contributions page. To do this, he needs to produce a 'Raw Signature'.
To create a link to your contributions page, click on
[[User:(your name)|(your name)]] ([[User talk:(your name)|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/(your name)|contribs]])
and click "Save".
For example, if UserBob types
[[User:UserBob|UserBob]] ([[User talk:UserBob|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/UserBob|contribs]])
then his signature would become
These can be changed to use any other text. For example, [[User:UserBob|Bob]] [[User talk:UserBob|Chat]] [[Special:Contributions/UserBob|Tribs]]
, which would make
Some users "hide" their talk page and/or contributions links; they are there, but are not labelled.
This looks like the plain UserBob, but clicking on "Bob" leads to his talk page, as the code for it shows: [[User:UserBob|User]][[User talk:UserBob|Bob]]
.
To find these, hover your mouse over different parts of the signature. The status bar at the bottom of your web browser should show you where each bit of the signature leads.
Getting colorful...
- See WP:Manual of Style/Accessibility/CSS colors for text on white and WP:Colour contrast for advice on choosing colors that are accessible to people with color blindness or other conditions.
UserBob doesn't much like the color blue, and decides to produce a more colorful signature.
In order to produce a signature with colors other than blue (or red), you'll need to use a bit of HTML, specifically the <span> tag.
If I put at the start of some text <span style="color: darkgreen">
, all the text I write turns darkgreen. Note that the text will not turn back into black until I type </span>
.
Bob wants a darkgreen and maroon signature, so he types [[User:UserBob|<span style="color: darkgreen">UserBob</span>]] ([[User talk:UserBob|<span style="color: maroon">talk</span>]])
, producing
He can even use different colors in the same part. For example, [[User:UserBob|<span style="color: darkred">User</span><span style="color: darkgreen">Bob</span>]] ([[User talk:UserBob|<span style="color: maroon">talk</span>]])
produces
Note that "User" and "Bob" are now different colors.
Also, some users don't use a white background; many users prefer light-colored text on a dark background and may have enabled the Gadget "Use a black background with green text on the Monobook skin". So, if you specify foreground colors, you should consider specifying background colors as well.
If you want to manually edit colors, as so; <span style="background-color: blue; color: white">
everything typed becomes highlighted blue, and is in white text.
But, we know UserBob doesn't much like the color blue, so he chooses the colors greenyellow (for the text) and maroon (for the background). Therefore, [[User:UserBob|<span style="background-color: maroon; color: greenyellow">UserBob</span>]] ([[User talk:UserBob|talk]])
produces:
But wait, the talk is displayed in blue with no highlight! The reason is simple, the text to be entered into preferences must include the <span>
tag before the [[User:UserBob|UserBob]]
linking. Also, due to the fact that UserBob is displayed as a link, the color change must be included in the area of the link.
That would look something like this: <span style="background-color: maroon">[[User:UserBob|<span style="color: greenyellow">UserBob</span>]] [[User talk:UserBob|<span style="color: greenyellow">(talk)</span>]]</span>
in order to produce:
To increase the space around the text, use the css padding properties, where the padding sequence numbers are top right bottom left: <span style="background-color: maroon; padding: 2px 3px 1px 3px;">[[User:UserBob|<span style="color: greenyellow">UserBob</span>]] [[User talk:UserBob|<span style="color: greenyellow">(talk)</span>]]</span>
, which produces:
In order to make
or even more unusual one: <span style="font-family: Blackadder ITC; background-color: maroon; padding: 2px 3px 1px 3px;">[[User:UserBob|<span style="color: greenyellow">UserBob</span>]] [[User talk:UserBob|<span style="color: yellow">(talk)</span>]]</span>
(i.e. Blackadder ITC):
Note: The maximum length for a signature or underlying raw signature code is 255 characters including spaces. This may limit your ability to create more complex signatures. See
Fine tuning
UserBob is reasonably happy with his signature. However, there are still many other ways to alter a signature. The most commonly used are: adding <sup></sup>, <sub></sub>, '''bold''', ''italics'' and <small></small> for special effects, and using special
Some users may have other links in their signature. For example, Esperanza members had a green "e", which linked straight to Wikipedia:Esperanza. So, if UserBob had joined Esperanza, his signature might have changed like so:
[[User:UserBob|<span style="color: purple">Us</span>]][[WP:EA|<span style="color: green">'''''e'''''</span>]][[User:UserBob|<span style="color: purple">r</span><span style="color: green">Bob</span>]] [[User talk:UserBob|<span style="color: maroon">(talk)</span>]]
Don'ts
Tempting as it may be, there are some things that should not be done, as they annoy editors or increase server load. These include:
Using pictures in your signature
Big signatures
Blinking signatures (most modern browsers will not display
Signatures that include line breaks
Or any mix of the above!
Real-life examples
Here are some actual signatures contributed by actual editors. Edit this section to see the code for each. Feel free to share your own creation! One per customer, please. If you change your signature, replace your entry instead of adding a second one. (Do not add someone else's signature, no matter how interesting it is.) For more examples, see this gallery.
<font>...</font>
tags were
<span>...</span>
and CSS properties. For more information, see this talk page discussion
w.carter-Talk 13:45, 17 August 2014 (UTC)
DeepGlow2009 (talk • contribs)
~Helicopter Llama~ 15:43, 17 August 2014 (UTC)
ΤheQ Editor Talk? 15:55, 17 August 2014 (UTC)
Cullen328 Let's discuss it 21:11, 17 August 2014 (UTC)
Brandon (MrWooHoo) • Talk to Brandon! 03:12, 18 August 2014 (UTC)
- Cwobeel (talk) 22:09, 18 August 2014 (UTC)
Darylgolden(talk) 09:28, 20 August 2014 (UTC)
RomtamTalkToMe 15:00, 3 September 2014 (UTC)
SounderBruce 01:56, 4 September 2014 (UTC)
--Chamith (talk) 11:10, 28 September 2014 (UTC)
-- Orduin ⋠T⋡ 23:04, 23 November 2014 (UTC)
PamD 16:51, 25 November 2014 (UTC)
aGastya ✉ let’s talk about it :) 17:09, 28 February 2015 (UTC)
― Padenton|✉ 08:09, 1 April 2015 (UTC)
--♥Jewel-chanXOXO♥talk 09:54, 9 May 2015 (UTC)
--
SONIC678|Hang out with me! 17:26, 13 June 2015 (UTC)
MangoStone14Let's interview 8:15, October 2, 2015 (UTC)
~ NottNott talk|contrib 18:26, 4 October 2015 (UTC)
White Arabian Filly (Neigh) 19:57, 23 November 2015 (UTC)
themidget17 ● blah blah blah 05:27, 26 November 2015 (UTC)
Tom29739 [talk] 20:21, 2 February 2016 (UTC)
—D'Ranged 1 | VTalk : 00:44, 26 February 2016 (UTC) (The maroon and orange colors and stylized VT are references to my alma mater, VA Tech)
{{u|
—{{u|
Natalie Desautels …as within, so without 21:34, 1 June 2016 (UTC)
• BalchMike ⋠talk⋡
22:05, 25 July 2016 (UTC)
MediaKill13 (talk) 06:52, 9 August 2016 (UTC)
Level3Sentry ❯❯❯ Talk 01:06, 3 September 2016 (UTC)
— Gestrid (talk) 02:04, 7 October 2016 (UTC)
{{u|Gamall Wednesday Ida}} 19:05, 12 October 2016 (UTC) (Compact, "pingable" signature for long username, with userpage/talk/contribs links.)
JackOfPanTrades | Card Hunter (Converse intellectually) 19:49, 15 January 2017 (UTC)
―Mandruss ☎ 20:52, 28 April 2017 (UTC)
Deepro#mylifeas713 ❯❯❯ Wanna chat? 07:56, 14 July 2017 (UTC)
♠Dinah♠ 🎤 15:55, 19 August 2017 (UTC)
SpiritPrince📞 21:26, 1 September 2017 (UTC)
いくらBraden1127 イクラꅇ 6:55, 6 November 2017 (UTC)
DeniedClub❯❯❯ talk? 07:46, 25 November 2017 (UTC)
HunterM267 talk 03:18, 13 March 2018 (UTC)
REALMMB(talk) 07:53, 19 March 2018 (UTC)
Thegooduser Let's Chat (See my contributions) 01:55, 7 April 2018 (UTC)
YoloMaxi Leave a Message! 01:20, 26 April 2018 (UTC)
~ WhitePaw 13:45, 14 July 2018 (UTC) (still figuring it out)
Dannyyankee12let's talk 16:15, 15 July 2018 (UTC)
Oshawott 12 ==()== Talk to me! 03:11, 24 September 2018 (UTC)
Liz Read! Talk! 18:00, 10 December 2018 (UTC)
PorkchopGMX (talk with me - what i've done) 19:14, 3 January 2019 (UTC)
TruthToBeSpoken (talk) 20:37, 22 January 2019 (UTC)
―Vancian | 💬📜 20:22, 1 March 2019 (UTC) ←Looks best with the Lobster font.
Mooeena ● 💌 ● ✒️ ● ❓ 03:56, 2 March 2019 (UTC)
Akbermamps talk 01:05, 28 March 2019 (UTC)
― RealCyGuy - Talk? 23:22, 6 November 2019 (UTC)
Clovermoss (talk) 16:44, 26 January 2020 (UTC)
—
James3141592 talk 01:27, 22 February 2020 (UTC)
Kaweendra (talk) 14:53, 26 February 2020 (UTC)
aurora :3 leave a message 17:09, 28 March 2020 (UTC)
{{u|Sdkb}} talk 18:28, 2 April 2020 (UTC)
WBPchur 💬●✒️●💛 09:24, 3 April 2020 (UTC)
𝄞: JohnnyB𝄬 𝅘𝅥𝅮 Sing with me𝅘𝅥𝅮 03:13, 5 April 2020 (UTC)
--NGC 54 (talk | contribs) 16:05, 4 May 2020 (UTC)
— J947 [cont] 06:15, 8 May 2020 (UTC)
—
✥Sailawen✥ (Chat? ♠ My stuff...) 16:15, 16 May 2020 (UTC)
Squeeps10 Talk to meMy edits 02:59, 14 May 2020 (UTC) It's not as fancy as some of the ones above me but it's unique as far as I can tell.
Wikiffeine •_• 00:02, 23 June 2020 (UTC)
Also not as fancy, but I think the •_• sets it apart.
DougInAMugtalk 00:02, 13 August 2020 (UTC)
FlowerPetals📪 19:58, 17 September 2020 (UTC) My current signature, with some lovely dark colors with flowery script that pulls everything together.
Heart (talk) 03:32, 29 September 2020 (UTC)
Zaitalk 23:02, 27 May 2021 (UTC) This has an image in it.
Deditus Particulo Write to me 15:51, 5 November 2020 (UTC)
CycloneYoris talk! 10:16, 6 November 2020 (UTC)
— MrConorAE (👤U | 💬T | 📝C) 03:55, 24 November 2020 (UTC) Uses <sup></sup>
to make the "menu". Single-letter alternative links, for those that do not support emojis.
🦠
GMXping! 03:30, 19 December 2020 (UTC)
SnazzyInfinity (chat? • what I've done) 05:10, 29 December 2020 (UTC)
Idell (talk) 12:40, 9 January 2021 (UTC)
ScienceFan66
(talk) 17:07, 11 January 2021 (UTC)
D|Fletcher|0306 Need me for something? 19:31, 15 January 2021 (UTC)
— qaisjp(talk) (contribs) 23:23, 23 January 2021 (UTC)
🌳QuercusOak🍂 22:11, 25 January 2021 (UTC)
-- Manasbose (talk | edits) 04:47, 9 April 2021 (UTC)
Bsoyka✉ 15:17, 26 April 2021 (UTC)
Robingunes; 21:17, 2 May 2021 (UTC)
Zaitalk 17:49, 27 May 2021 (UTC)
02:24, 13 June 2021 (UTC) TOA The owner of all ☑️
BACA (talk to me) 18:18, 22 June 2021 (UTC)
—
Waddles 🗩 🖉 16:48, 18 August 2021 (UTC) It took a few tries to get it to work properly, but I finally got it!
TootsieRollsAddict (talk) 07:41, 18 September 2021 (UTC)
NguoiDungKhongDinhDanh 16:32, 15 October 2021 (UTC)
CertifiedAmazing2 wanna chat? 22:42, 21 January 2022 (UTC)
First signature of 2022!
Castlepalace 13:15, 31 March 2022 (UTC)
—Mythdon (talk • contribs) 19:19, 6 April 2022 (UTC)
P h y s e t e r s✉ 23:51, 11 April 2022 (UTC) Thanks to Purplewowies & ColinFine for their help!
QuinticFormula🏳️🌈 (talk) 03:38, 23 April 2022 (UTC)
signed, 511KeV (talk) 07:52, 30 April 2022 (UTC)
— Urban Versis 32KB ⚡ (talk | contribs) 19:53, 29 May 2022 (UTC)
ARandomPage (talk • contribs) 00:59, 8 July 2022 (UTC)
Kpddg (talk) 15:03, 24 July 2022 (UTC)
Angerxietythe ediot (chat? ⋅ contribs to society) 5:08, 8 October 2022 (UTC)
D2h⌬ 22:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
phrogge 'sup? edits 02:56, 15 February 2023 (UTC)
balladsone 05:18, 22 April 2023 (UTC)
-Asheiou (they/them • talk) 16:10, 7 May 2023 (UTC)
— Will • B [talk] 05:52, 14 May 2023 (UTC)
Grumpylawnchair (talk) 18:54, 27 June 2023 (UTC)
-- ZooBlazertalk 19:51, 4 July 2023 (UTC)
SilverLocust 💬 22:49, 13 September 2023 (UTC)
CHÓ VÀNG HÀI HƯỚC🗣️ 13:34, 24 September 2023 (UTC)
👤📝📖🔬🧪 08:50, 28 October 2023 (UTC)
Darcyisverycute (talk) 06:05, 10 December 2023 (UTC) (trying to stand out by using modestly rotated text, although it was hard to fit in the 255 char markup limit. There seems no existing policy on this approach, but I try to make the rotation small enough to not increase line spacing.)
adamfra@enwiki:~/talk$ 01:56, 31 January 2024 (UTC) you might recognize this design if you use pop!_os
【💬】 03:17, 15 February 2024 (UTC)
'''[[User:CanonNi]]'''
(talk|contribs)
{{u|SaAnKe}} 21:38, 13 April 2024 (UTC)
💥Casualty • Hop along. • 01:18, 17 April 2024 (UTC)
Helpful Links
- Web colors lists most usable colors
- Help:Wikitext is a general guide to wikitext