Editing How to edit

[[File:Visual Editor Screenshot.png|thumb|450x450px|Screenshot of the Visual Editor in use on Vivipedia.]]
Editing on Vivipedia is as easy as clicking "'''Edit'''" on any page.

Once you select the '''Edit''' button, you'll be able to make changes directly to the page or article you're viewing using the '''Visual Editor'''.

Selecting "'''Edit Source'''" will take you to the '''Source Editor''', which utilizes the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikitext wikitext] editing system - which has its own syntax.  

The Visual Editor is easy to use, and is good for making edits to ''existing'' text. 

The Source Editor is best for formatting, organization, and complex or large edits (like creating a new page).


Whichever method you choose, be sure to "'''Save Changes'''" when you're done, and leave a short summary of the changes you made in the summary box.

== Using the Visual Editor ==
The '''Visual Editor''' is the simplest tool to use when editing Vivipedia. It allows you to make edits the page directly while viewing it.

=== Instructions ===
Follow these steps to edit with the Visual Editor:

# Navigate to the page you want to edit, then select "'''Edit'''" from the bar at the top of the page, or heading of the section you want to edit.[[File:Visual Editor - Edit button.png|none|thumb]]
# Make your desired changes to the text on the page.
# Select "'''Save changes'''" in the top right of the page.[[File:Save Changes button.png|none|thumb]]
# Leave a short summary of the changes you made in the confirmation box that appears.[[File:Summarize changes.png|none|thumb]]

After you complete these steps, your edits will be added to the Moderation Queue for a Moderator to approve.

If you make enough edits, your edits will be pre-approved, and you'll be able to bypass the queue to see your edits right away!

== Using the Source Editor ==
The '''Source Editor''' is powerful, and provides access to the unique capabilities of [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki MediaWiki], the software that Vivipedia (and Wikipedia) runs on.

Using the Source Editor will provide additional formatting options, as well as access to style and formatting tools that are unavailable in the Visual Editor.

If you want to create a new page that's similar in structure to an existing page, you can use the Source Editor to copy the '''Source''' from the existing page, and paste it into the new page you want to create.

From there you can add, remove, or modify text as desired.

=== Instructions ===
Follow these steps to edit with the '''Source Editor''':

# Navigate to the page you want to edit, and select "'''Edit''' '''source'''" from the section heading, or bar at the top of the page. [[File:Source_Editor_-_Edit_button.png|none|thumb]]
# Make desired changes to the page using the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikitext wikitext] markup language. (Hint: use the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Magic_words Magic Words] article as a reference for syntax)
# Select "'''Show preview'''" to generate a preview of your changes, and check that your edits are appearing as intended. (''Recommended)'' [[File:Source Editor - Show preview.png|none|thumb]]
# Provide a brief summary of the changes you made in the "'''Summary'''" box. [[File:Source Editor - Summary.png|none|thumb]]
# Select the "'''Save changes'''" button at the bottom of the page. [[File:Save Changes button.png|none|thumb]]

After you complete these steps, your edits will be added to the Moderation Queue for a Moderator to approve.

Over time, and with enough edits, your changes will be pre-approved, meaning you'll be able to make changes without Moderator approval.

== How to Create a New Page ==
Want to create a page that doesn't exist yet? Creating new pages is as easy as editing existing ones - there's just one small change.

Instead of navigating to an existing page, try modifying the URL to the page you want to create.

For example, if you were on this page, and suddenly became inspired to create a page about Hippopotamuses, you would:

# Modify the URL in your web browser to <nowiki>"https://www.vivipedia.net/wiki/New Page Title Here".</nowiki> [[File:Create_New_Page_-_Hippopotamus.png|none|thumb]]In this example, the URL has been modified to <nowiki>"https://www.vivipedia.net/wiki/Hippopotamus Care Guide".</nowiki>
# Select "'''Create'''" (for Visual Editor) or "'''Create source'''" (for Source Editor).
# Add your desired text and media.
# Select "'''Show''' '''preview'''" (Optional, if in the Source Editor). [[File:Source Editor - Show preview.png|none|thumb]]
# Leave a brief summary of the changes you made (e.g., "Created page"). [[File:Source Editor - Summary.png|none|thumb]]
# Select "'''Save page'''". [[File:Create_New_Page_-_Save_page.png|none|thumb]]

As with edits, your page will be added to the Moderation Queue for approval. 

With time your changes may be pre-approved, allowing you to create new pages without waiting for approval.

[[Category:Guides]]