Manyhats
{{helpme}} I edited a page today, and one edit was to add a reference. The reference does not look right (a number and the URL display; I'd like to add a description of the reference) and I'd like to fix it. However, the references do not display when editing the page. I clicked the Edit button but the references do not display. How can I edit view a reference so that I can edit it? Thanks! Manyhats (talk) 04:17, 1 September 2009 (UTC)
- Manyhats - I assume you're talking about trouble on the Elimination Communication page you edited earlier. I'm not totally sure of the problem you're having, but maybe this will explain it. The syntax for references is
<ref name="test">[http://www.example.org Link text], additional text.</ref>
. This appears only where you inserted the reference, nothing will appear at the bottom of the page (references are automagically added at the bottom when the page is displayed, they don't display in the source). I think that 'additional text' section is what you're going for. I'm watching your talk page, so post again here if that doesn't answer your question. Master Runner (Talk/Contribs) 04:44, 1 September 2009 (UTC) - P.S. - I copied that syntax from Wikipedia:Cheatsheet, which has syntax examples for all common wikicode tasks. I can never quite remember syntax for these things, so I look at the cheatsheet all the time. Master Runner (Talk/Contribs) 04:46, 1 September 2009 (UTC)
MasterRunner: I hope this reply gets posted correctly. I find everything here so confusing!
Thanks for your reply. I see that someone tried to repair the Reference. It still needs a minor edit though.
My problem is that I cannot find a way to access the references. When I click Edit, all I see is "References" then a blank line and then "references" with the open and close brackets and the final slash.
The references do not display, so I cannot edit the reference in question. Can you tell me how I can view the references in edit mode? I see the External Links and can edit them, no problem there; it's just with the references. If you click Edit, can you see the two references in edit mode? Thanks very much for your help! Manyhats (talk) 16:00, 1 September 2009 (UTC)
September 01 2009
edit- The trouble you're having is that citations don't really exist in that section of the code, if that makes sense. When the page is rendered they get added there dynamically. You need to edit the citation where it actually is in the text of the article - that is, where the <ref> tag is. That'll be where the linked superscript number is. So find where the superscript number that corresponds to the citation is and edit there, you'll see the <ref> tag like I mentioned before. Master Runner (Talk/Contribs) 20:45, 1 September 2009 (UTC)
That fixed it! The problem was driving me nuts. Thanks very much. Now that it has been explained, it seems obvious. I have many other questions, might try to post one on your page if I can figure out how to do it.
One more question before you go. Is it necessary to writing something in the Edit summary box for replies posted on one's Talk page? I've been doing it here, but maybe it isn't necessary ... or perhaps I should tick "This is a minor edit"?? Manyhats (talk) 23:05, 1 September 2009 (UTC)
- It's fairly obvious when in a talk page that you were continuing the conversation, so I'd say it's not a huge necessity. I always do just because I have my preferences set so it warns me if I try to save without an edit summary. Master Runner (Talk/Contribs) 05:04, 2 September 2009 (UTC)
Message added 03:29, 3 September 2009 (UTC). You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.
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