Help:VisualEditor

 If you would like to try VisualEditor without editing a live article, you can freely test it here. You don't need an account to use VisualEditor on that page. An introductory tutorial series is also available. VisualEditor gives you the ability to edit without needing to learn simple wikitext markup, as is required by the default wikitext editor (also known as Source Editor). Unlike that editing tool, VisualEditor displays the text being edited almost as if it were already published. This guide gives illustrated, step-by-step instructions on the editor's features.

Be aware that VisualEditor is still in development and thus has known limitations and bugs, and this guide may occasionally lag behind the release of new updates. For larger pages, VisualEditor can be slower than using wikitext with Source Editor and is not available for discussion pages. While VisualEditor remains in development, you should review your changes to ensure that the edits are those you intended.

We welcome your problem sightings, comments and suggestions on the MediaWiki Feedback page. (Please note: In late 2017 all Save changes and Save page buttons were renamed Publish changes or Publish page. Every edit – even to drafts – is now saved in this way, and this should not be confused with putting drafts into the main part of Wikipedia. That is a separate process.)

Availability
VisualEditor is available on the following types of pages (namespaces):


 * Article ("mainspace")
 * User
 * Category
 * Help
 * File (but not with files, or other pages, at Wikimedia Commons)
 * Wikipedia namespace

VisualEditor is not available for use on discussion (talk) pages. Source editor must be used there instead.

First step: enabling VE
If you are registered on Wikipedia, you can opt to make VisualEditor available for editing, by changing your preferences. You'll need a VisualEditor-supported browser; most are. In your preferences you need to go to the "Editing" tab and in the "Editor" section find the "Editing mode". Here you can choose to have both the visual and the source editor displayed or only the one you prefer.

If you are not registered, you can still use VisualEditor by adding  to the end of a Wikipedia page URL. (Registered editors who have not enabled VisualEditor in their preferences – that is, the box for "Temporarily disable the visual editor while it is in beta" option is checked – can do the same.)

Getting started: the VisualEditor toolbar




Editing references
 This section is out of date. A more current user manual can be found on mediawiki.org

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Editing an existing reference

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 * VisualEditor - Editing references 1.png
 * To edit an existing reference, click on it where it appears in the text (usually as a bracketed number). You will see either a "" icon (bookmark) or an icon (and name) for the template that was used to create this reference. Clicking on this icon will open a dialog where you can edit the reference.
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 * VisualEditor - Editing references 6.png
 * If what appears is the "" icon, clicking on it opens the Reference dialog, where you can edit the reference's contents.
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 * VisualEditor - Editing references 6.png
 * If what appears is the "" icon, clicking on it opens the Reference dialog, where you can edit the reference's contents.
 * If what appears is the "" icon, clicking on it opens the Reference dialog, where you can edit the reference's contents.

Many wikis use templates to format references automatically. If a template is used in your reference, then all the text in the template will be highlighted when you click on the reference information.

If a template was used and you've clicked on information in that template, then the icon (puzzle piece) will appear. Click on that to edit the content of the template, in the template mini-editor dialog.
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 * VisualEditor - Editing References - Cite Web.png
 * If, instead of the "" icon (bookmark), what appears when you click on a reference is an icon for a standard template for citations, clicking on that icon will take you directly to the template mini-editor dialog.
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 * If you open a reference and it only contains a link, you may see any option to "Convert" the reference. This will attempt to use the Automatic feature to replace the simple reference with a fully formatted reference.
 * Visual editor citoid convert button.png
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 * VisualEditor - Editing references 5.png
 * Inside the template mini-editor, you can add or remove types of information or change current content. Only fields (template parameters) that are used (have content) should be shown, initially. To add fields, click on "", which is at the very bottom of the mini-editor.
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 * VisualEditor - Apply changes.png
 * Click on "" when you're done.
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 * Inside the template mini-editor, you can add or remove types of information or change current content. Only fields (template parameters) that are used (have content) should be shown, initially. To add fields, click on "", which is at the very bottom of the mini-editor.
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 * VisualEditor - Apply changes.png
 * Click on "" when you're done.
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Re-using an existing reference

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 * VisualEditor Cite menu re-use tab.png
 * If the page already contains a citation that applies to the text you want to source, then you can choose to re-use the existing citation.
 * VisualEditor Cite menu re-use tab.png
 * If the page already contains a citation that applies to the text you want to source, then you can choose to re-use the existing citation.

To re-use an existing reference, place your cursor in the body of the text where you want to add a new reference (number) for that citation. Click on the "" button, and then click on the "" tab from the "" dialog.

You can also just copy-and-paste the reference number.

In the "" dialog, look at the list for the reference you want to reuse, and select it. If there are many references, you can use the search box (labeled "") to list only those references that include certain text.
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Adding a new reference
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 * VisualEditor_Citoid_Inspector-en.png
 * To add a citation using the "" button, place your cursor where you want to add it in the text. Then on the "" dialog, select the appropriate tab.
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 * To add a citation using the "" button, place your cursor where you want to add it in the text. Then on the "" dialog, select the appropriate tab.
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Using Automatic tab

 * colspan=2 |The Citoid service takes a URL, DOI , ISBNs, PMIDs, QID, and full text search, and returns a pre-filled, pre-formatted bibliographic citation. After creating it, you will be able to change or add information to the citation, in the same way that you edit any other pre-existing citation in VisualEditor. Later, editors will be able to improve precision and reduce the need for manual corrections by contributing to the Citoid service's definitions for each website.
 * Citoid in VisualEditor Screen Shot 2015-04-02.png
 * With Citoid in VisualEditor, you click the 'book with bookmark' icon (next to the 'Links' icon) in the main toolbar, paste in the URL or DOI of a reliable source, and click 'Lookup'.
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 * Citoid results in VisualEditor Screen Shot 2015-04-02.png
 * Citoid looks up the source and returns available citation details as result. Click the green "Insert" button to accept its results and add them to the article.
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 * Citoid results in VisualEditor Screen Shot 2015-04-02.png
 * Citoid looks up the source and returns available citation details as result. Click the green "Insert" button to accept its results and add them to the article.
 * Citoid results in VisualEditor Screen Shot 2015-04-02.png
 * Citoid looks up the source and returns available citation details as result. Click the green "Insert" button to accept its results and add them to the article.

After inserting the citation, you can change it. Select the reference, and click the "Edit" button in the context menu to make changes.

Using standard cite templates

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 * Manual_tab_only_-_visual_editor_-_citations.png
 * The Manual tab offers quick access to the most-used citation templates. Extra citation templates can be added by following the directions at VisualEditor/Citation tool.
 * Manual_tab_only_-_visual_editor_-_citations.png
 * The Manual tab offers quick access to the most-used citation templates. Extra citation templates can be added by following the directions at VisualEditor/Citation tool.
 * The Manual tab offers quick access to the most-used citation templates. Extra citation templates can be added by following the directions at VisualEditor/Citation tool.


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 * VisualEditor - Editing references - Cite book required fields.png
 * Clicking on a template icon such as "Cite book" will take you into the template mini-editor for that template. Important information fields may be marked with an asterisk. While the most common fields will be shown, not all of them are required.
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 * VisualEditor - Editing references - Add parameter.png
 * To add additional parameters, scroll down in the template mini-editor and click on the "" option.
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 * VisualEditor - Editing references - Add parameter.png
 * To add additional parameters, scroll down in the template mini-editor and click on the "" option.
 * VisualEditor - Editing references - Add parameter.png
 * To add additional parameters, scroll down in the template mini-editor and click on the "" option.

Click on "" when you're done.
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Using the "Basic" citation

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 * VisualEditor - Editing references 20.png
 * Shown here is what you will see if you select the "" item. In the Reference editor, you can add your citation, including formatting.
 * VisualEditor - Editing references 20.png
 * Shown here is what you will see if you select the "" item. In the Reference editor, you can add your citation, including formatting.

You can make the reference belong to a given group, although this is almost always left blank. (This option is used to display groups of references with the "" tool; if you need more information, see WP:REFGROUP.)
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 * VisualEditor Template Insert Menu-en.png
 * In the Reference dialog, if you want to include a template in your new reference, click the icon (puzzle piece) in the "" toolbar menu within the Reference editor.
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 * VisualEditor - Editing references 9.png
 * Then, look for the template you want to use, add it and edit it as you would any other template. (See the Editing templates section, below, if you need more information about templates.)
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 * VisualEditor - Editing references 9.png
 * Then, look for the template you want to use, add it and edit it as you would any other template. (See the Editing templates section, below, if you need more information about templates.)
 * Then, look for the template you want to use, add it and edit it as you would any other template. (See the Editing templates section, below, if you need more information about templates.)

After you're done editing your new template, click on "" to return to the Reference editor, and "" again to return to the page you're editing.
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 * VisualEditor Reference List Insert Menu-en.png
 * If there isn't already a list of references on the page (for example, if you're adding the first reference for the page), you need to specify where the list of references, and their text, will be displayed to the reader.
 * VisualEditor Reference List Insert Menu-en.png
 * If there isn't already a list of references on the page (for example, if you're adding the first reference for the page), you need to specify where the list of references, and their text, will be displayed to the reader.

Place the cursor where you want to display references (usually at the bottom of the page), open the "" menu and click the "" icon (three books).
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 * VisualEditor - Editing references 11.png
 * If you are using different groups of references (which is unusual), you can click "" and specify a group, to display only those references that belong to that group.
 * VisualEditor - Editing references 11.png
 * If you are using different groups of references (which is unusual), you can click "" and specify a group, to display only those references that belong to that group.


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 * }

Editing images and other media files
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Editing images

 * To add a new image (or another type of media file) to the page, click the "" icon (a picture of mountains) in the "" menu. The image will be added wherever your cursor is.
 * VisualEditor Media Insert Menu-en.png
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 * Clicking the "" icon opens a dialog that automatically searches Wikimedia Commons and your local wiki for media files related to the title of the page you're editing.
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 * Clicking the "" icon opens a dialog that automatically searches Wikimedia Commons and your local wiki for media files related to the title of the page you're editing.
 * Clicking the "" icon opens a dialog that automatically searches Wikimedia Commons and your local wiki for media files related to the title of the page you're editing.

You can change the search by changing the text in the dialog's search box.

To choose a file, click on its thumbnail image.

This places the image onto the page you are editing.
 * VisualEditor - Media editing 2.png
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 * After the image you selected is inserted into the page, another dialog will open. This dialog allows you to add and edit the caption of the image. The caption can contain formatting and links.
 * VisualEditor - Media editing 6.png
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 * The media dialog also allows you to add alternative text captions, to help users who use screen readers, or who have disabled image display.
 * VisualEditor - Media editing 7.png
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 * You can also set various parameters for the image in the "" window. These include the alignment, the type, and size of the image.
 * VisualEditor - Media editing 8.png
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 * When you're done, click "" to close the dialog and return to editing the page.
 * VisualEditor Apply Changes-en.png
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 * For an existing image, you can add or edit a caption or other settings by clicking on the image, then clicking on the "" icon that appears below the picture.
 * VisualEditor - Media editing 8.png
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 * When you're done, click "" to close the dialog and return to editing the page.
 * VisualEditor Apply Changes-en.png
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 * For an existing image, you can add or edit a caption or other settings by clicking on the image, then clicking on the "" icon that appears below the picture.
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 * For an existing image, you can add or edit a caption or other settings by clicking on the image, then clicking on the "" icon that appears below the picture.
 * For an existing image, you can add or edit a caption or other settings by clicking on the image, then clicking on the "" icon that appears below the picture.
 * For an existing image, you can add or edit a caption or other settings by clicking on the image, then clicking on the "" icon that appears below the picture.

You can resize an existing image by clicking on it, then moving the resize icon (the two-headed arrow on one or both bottom corners).

You can also drag and drop an image to a place higher or lower on the page.
 * VisualEditor - Media editing 3.png
 * }

Starting
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 * To add a new template to a page, place your cursor where you want the template to be inserted, and click on the "" icon (a puzzle piece) in the "" menu.
 * VisualEditor Template Insert Menu-en.png
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 * Start typing the name of the template you want to insert. When you see it on the list, click on its name. Then click "".
 * VisualEditor - Template editing 4.png
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 * You can also edit a template that is already on the page. When you click on the template to select it, it turns blue, and a box appears with a "" icon (a puzzle piece). Then click on the "" link.
 * VisualEditor - Template editing 1.png
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 * Some templates are not visible to someone reading a page. In VisualEditor, such hidden templates are shown as puzzle icons, such as Anchor.
 * VisualEditor template not visible.png
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 * When you select the icon, the context menu is displayed, and you can edit the template.
 * VisualEditor template not visible context menu.png
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 * Some templates are not visible to someone reading a page. In VisualEditor, such hidden templates are shown as puzzle icons, such as Anchor.
 * VisualEditor template not visible.png
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 * When you select the icon, the context menu is displayed, and you can edit the template.
 * VisualEditor template not visible context menu.png
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Template parameters

 * When you add a new template or open an existing one, VisualEditor opens the "" dialog. What you see depends upon whether there is TemplateData for that template.
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 * The template shown here has no TemplateData set up for it. The dialog shows a link to documentation for the template. You can read the documentation to figure out if the template has any parameters (fields), and what goes in each field. Use numbers as the name for each nameless parameter. The first un-named parameter is named, the second is named  , and so forth.
 * VisualEditor template with no TemplateData.png
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 * If a template has been updated to contain TemplateData information, then the dialog will show a list of all available individual (named) parameters in the left sidebar
 * VisualEditor template with TemplateData.png
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 * For an existing template, you can edit the parameters shown in the dialog, and you can add and remove parameters from the main dialog by checking and unchecking its checkbox in the sidebar. To add an undocumented parameter, press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+D on your keyboard. The input field will appear at the very bottom of the dialog.
 * VisualEditor - Template editing 3.png
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 * When a template embeds other templates, these sub-templates will appear inside the parameters that display them. They can be edited or removed inside the parameter field.
 * VisualEditor template with TemplateData.png
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 * For an existing template, you can edit the parameters shown in the dialog, and you can add and remove parameters from the main dialog by checking and unchecking its checkbox in the sidebar. To add an undocumented parameter, press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+D on your keyboard. The input field will appear at the very bottom of the dialog.
 * VisualEditor - Template editing 3.png
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 * When a template embeds other templates, these sub-templates will appear inside the parameters that display them. They can be edited or removed inside the parameter field.
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 * When a template embeds other templates, these sub-templates will appear inside the parameters that display them. They can be edited or removed inside the parameter field.
 * When a template embeds other templates, these sub-templates will appear inside the parameters that display them. They can be edited or removed inside the parameter field.
 * When a template embeds other templates, these sub-templates will appear inside the parameters that display them. They can be edited or removed inside the parameter field.

New sub-templates are added by following the steps for adding a parameter. You may need to check the template documentation to make sure that the sub-template is supported. Nested templates can currently be edited as wikitext only, without the facility offered by VisualEditor (see T52182).
 * VisualEditor - Template editing 5.png
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Finishing

 * When you have finished editing a template, click "" to close the dialog and return to editing the main page.
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Substituting templates

 * When a template must be substituted, type  (colon included) before the template's name.
 * When a template must be substituted, type  (colon included) before the template's name.

Autocompletion doesn't work with. If you want to use autocompletion, first find the template you are looking for, and then add  in front of the template name.

Then, click the green "" button.

Add any parameters as usual and click "".
 * VisualEditor - Template editing 7.png
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 * You will see the template expand on the page after you click "".
 * VisualEditor - Template editing 8.png
 * }
 * VisualEditor - Template editing 8.png
 * }

Moving pages
Moving a page with VisualEditor is functionally the same as moving it with the source editor; see Help:How to move a page for an introduction to moving pages, or Moving a page for more detailed instructions.

Keyboard shortcuts
Many editors are used to entering wikitext directly, especially bold, italics and wikilinks. Keyboard shortcuts allow to quickly insert similar formatting without having to use toolbar items. Here are the common general shortcuts in VisualEditor: