To edit a page, simply click the edit page link in the header and then modify the text in any way you want. Yes, you can even edit pages others have created—that's part of wiki nature.
The rules for basic page editing are fairly simple:
- Start each line without spaces and put a blank line between paragraphs. There are more Text-Formatting Rules for lists and other specialized text, if you want to do that. You can edit the Wiki Sandbox page if you want to try things out in a way that won't affect any of the pages on this site.
- To create references to other pages, run capitalized words together to make a WikiWord page title. This automatically creates a hyperlink. If the page you want to make has no natural wikiword title (for example it might be one word) use a {{free link}}.
- Always link to works without pages, even if it makes a Red Link and you don't have time to make a new page. It makes it easier for when someone comes along and fill out a page for the new link.
- Use the Edit Summary box to briefly summarize your edit if there is the slightest chance that anyone might question it — try to err on the side of including a summary. This helps stop edit wars before they start.
- To just plain start a new page: Go to the URL that the page would have if it already existed, and hit the edit button to start editing. You can type the page address directly into your address bar, or add a WikiWord for it in Wiki Sandbox. However, if it's a trope page you want to create, post your proposed page in the Trope Launch Pad. If you're starting a new work page, make sure to put it in the proper Namespace.
- After you save a page, you may need to click reload to make your browser do a refresh. This will let you see the changes you just made. Click the red link for any new Wiki Words to edit them and add text.
- A page's full name is namespace/pagetitle, such as Main.Homepage. To refer to a page in the Main namespace, write its pagetitle. To refer to a page in another group, write its full name.
- If you go to edit a page and it is "checked out by [Troper] until [time]', this means that someone else is editing the article. Only one editor is allowed at a time per page; that is why there is a 20-minute timer when you are editing. Most pages don't have this problem, but this is very common when a movie, book, TV series, or video game has just been released, especially when it comes to new episodes for TV shows or new installments for most other media. Here are some things you can do as you wait for the edit lock to be lifted:
- Mention what you think should be added or removed on the work's discussion page - someone else can opt to do the work (if they want to) if you're going to be away from your computer.
- You can get a head start by typing up your changes separately in the Wiki Sandbox or in a text file on your desktop, then cut and paste them over when the editing is opened up again.
- If you do get in and you know the page is busy, try to do your editing and get back out - there could be other tropers waiting.
- If you go to edit a page and change your mind, just press "cancel edit."
For information on editing example lists, which is where most of the action happens, see the guidelines listed in How to Write an Example.
For more detailed information on this wiki's markup syntax, see Text-Formatting Rules.
For understanding the standard structure of certain types of pages, the Page Templates may also be of use.
For even more information helpful to editors, see the index of the Administrivia namespace which contains many articles about rules and/or guidelines for specific situations and other relevant topics.
Pay close attention to where you edit, or your comment might end up somewhere you don't want it to be.
