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Four Parts:Choose a TitleCreate a Template PageMake the TemplateTemplate Page Set Up

Templates are valuable communication tools. They can be used to improve the quality of an article, discuss certain aspects of an article, make an informative User page, to communicate with others, clarify the licensing of images or convey project information. Here's how to make one:

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EditSteps

  • If you are creating a template to be placed on the article page, or a talk page template that coaches a new editor, show it to the community in the forums before you start using it. Since these templates can clutter up article pages or easily discourage authors, respectively, it's important to seek consensus before using a new one.

EditPart 1 of 4: Choose a Title

  1. Create a wikiHow Template Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Search for duplicates first.
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  2. Create a wikiHow Template Step 2 Version 2.jpg
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    Abbreviations within the title are not recommended as they are difficult to interpret.

EditPart 2 of 4: Create a Template Page

  1. Create a wikiHow Template Step 3 Version 3.jpg
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    Click on Write an Article at the upper right of any page.
  2. Create a wikiHow Template Step 4 Version 3.jpg
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    Submit your title as: Template:TEMPLATE NAME.
    • Replace TEMPLATE NAME with your chosen title.

EditPart 3 of 4: Make the Template

  1. Create a wikiHow Template Step 5 Version 3.jpg
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    Be clear, concise and informative.
  2. Create a wikiHow Template Step 6 Version 3.jpg
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    Dates will not be automatically updated.
  3. Create a wikiHow Template Step 7 Version 3.jpg
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    Be creative. Include color, backgrounds, borders, images, links or tables.
  4. Create a wikiHow Template Step 8 Version 3.jpg
    4
    Review other templates for appropriate language, codes and images.

EditPart 4 of 4: Template Page Set Up

  1. Create a wikiHow Template Step 9 Version 3.jpg
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    Explain how the template can be used.
  2. Create a wikiHow Template Step 10 Version 3.jpg
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    Show the full template.
  3. Create a wikiHow Template Step 11 Version 3.jpg
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    Categorize your template accordingly to appear within Category:Templates.
  4. Create a wikiHow Template Step 12 Version 3.jpg
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    Add your template to a listing, found in each category, with further clarification.
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EditTips

  • Changes to a template will appear throughout wikiHow. For example, if you change a photo from a dog to a cat, the new image will appear throughout wikiHow.
  • Add a Template Upholder's Barnstar or the da Vinci Barnstar to an editor's Talk page as an award.
  • Do not tag a template page, as the tag will appear throughout wikiHow.
  • Templates are displayed throughout wikiHow. Please abide by our guidelines.
  • Use start and end html or CSS tags. If you use a start tag, use a corresponding end tag as well. Otherwise, the font or background color will stretch on past your message.
  • Ask for help in the Forum.
  • Feel free to lighten or change colors.
  • You can also just create a hyperlink to a non-existent template page, if that is easier to you, by typing anything like [[Template:Template Name]], which in this case will turn up as Template:Template Name.

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Use a Template Code in Conversation on Talk or Discussion Pages on wikiHow

How to
Create a Personalized wikiHowTemplate

How to
Use Templates on wikiHow

Article Info

Categories: Making and Using Templates

In other languages:

Español: Cómo crear una plantilla

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