VassarWiki:Templates
Templates are pages designed for inclusion in other pages. For a list of templates, go to Special:AllPages and change the Namespace to "Template".
Using a template
To use a template in the Visual Editor, click "Insert" then "Template", or type two left curly brackets ({{). From here, you can search for the template you need, and save commonly used templates.
In the Source Editor, you will have to type the syntax manually:
{{Name
|parameter1 = value1
|parameter2 = value2
}}
Take a look at the desired template's documentation, where there may be example syntax that you can adapt.
If you insert a template with the prefix "subst:" before it (e.g. {{subst:Name}}), it will substitute the template code into the page and it will longer be editable as a template. You generally shouldn't do this unless specified on the template documentation.
Making a template
Anyone can make a template! Just create a page with the prefix "Template:" and insert the text and/or code you wish to be transferred to another page. Templates can be newly written or, to save duplicating work already done, exported from another wiki like Wikipedia, and then imported here.
Documentation
To make it easy for contributors to use your template, all templates should have documentation.
Without any line breaks or spaces, write "<noinclude>{{Documentation}}</noinclude>" at the end of your template―this will transclude the information from your template's documentation page (located at "Template:Example/doc") onto the Template page, but not when using your template on another page. You should also include any categories that apply to the Template
Template documentation should have at least two parts:
- Template data: a short description of the template and information about the template's variables. Provide template data by clicking the "Edit template data" button when editing the documentation page.
- Example usage: In an "Examples" section, provide both example syntax (between <pre> </pre>) and an example template displayed (the same syntax but without <pre> </pre>).
Notable templates
- Template:Infobox: Meta-template used to make infobox templates. Infoboxes can be placed on pages to easily display basic data/information about a subject.
- Template:Userbox: Meta-template used to make userbox templates. Userboxes are a way to easily communicate about yourself on your user page.
- Template:See also & Template:Main article: Italicized notes at the top of pages or sections, to display important links