wikiHow:Editing Basics

This article will help you get started editing on wikiHow. Unlike some systems, our editor uses simple code to format articles. When published, they look different than when they are being edited. Read on to learn how to use our system. To jump to any section on this page, just click its heading in the table of contents.

For questions, contact the Help Team , or post in the Forums .

Numbering of Steps

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    Use # at the beginning of a new step. The software will automatically insert a step number in place of #. You do not need to write 1, 2, 3, and so on.
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    Avoid disrupting the numbering:
    • Don't put any spaces before the "#".
    • Don't add line breaks (by pressing Enter) until you want to create a new step.
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    Create an indented sub-step by using an asterisk * right after a # sign.
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Creating Bulleted Lists

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    Use an asterisk * at the beginning of a line to create a bulleted list for the “Tips”, “Warnings”, “Ingredients” and “Things You’ll Need” sections.
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    Create a double-indented bulleted line for a sublist with two asterisks ** at the beginning of a line.

Using Fonts

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    Create a bold font with three apostrophes before and after text.
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    Create an italic font with two apostrophes before and after the text.
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    Combine bold and italics (use sparingly) with '''' 'five''''' apostrophes before and after text.
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Adding Links

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    Link to other wikiHow pages (internal link) by using double square brackets before and after the title of a page. Don't include the "How to" part when writing the title of the page. Use exact capitalization, because titles are case-sensitive. Use the title after the wikihow.com/ in the URL only . You cannot use a custom title for internal linking, you must use the URL.
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    Replace the internal link with text that people can click on, by using a vertical bar followed by text. For example, the link portion of "Let's be friends " would be created as follows:
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    Link to other websites (external links) by typing http:// followed by the full URL.
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    • Note that we have a rather strict policy on linking to other websites.
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    Replace the external link with text that people can click on by using single square brackets before and after the URL of another website. Insert one space directly after the URL. Include text directly after the open space but within the square brackets.
    • Example: This is My Website .
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    Check to make sure the link is working. A green link is a functioning link. A red link is a non-functioning link that needs to be corrected.

Adding Images

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    Log in. Only registered or logged-in editors are allowed to add images to an article.
  2. 2
    Click on the button to add an image to a particular section or step.
    • Guided Editor:
    • Advanced Editor:
  3. 3
    Use the options given in the Easy Image Uploader to help you add an image. Just make sure it’s freely licensed to share here, so it doesn’t violate any copyright laws.
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    Be sure to click on "Publish" to save your changes. For a more detailed overview, see How to Put a Photo in a wikiHow Article .

Adding Video

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    Log in. Only registered or logged-in Users can add or change videos .
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    Click on "Change or Add Video". While in the Guided Editor, the "Video" section is between "Steps" and "Tips".
  3. 3
    Browse through available video options from YouTube and other providers. Use the Video Curation guidelines to help you select an appropriate video.
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    Be sure to click on "Publish" to save your changes.

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