Help:Templates

Templates are a special type of page that can be included in other pages.

Types of Templates

One type of template is "fixed." The box that contains the Tutorial Table of Contents on each page of the Tutorials is a page that has been created with all of the links, etc already typed in. Then Template:tutorial is included in each page of the Tutorial so that the editor does not have to retype the entire set of information on each page. Also, if there is a change in the information, the Template:tutorial can be modified, and the changes will appear on all pages that include that template.

Another type of template accepts parameters so that the format is consistent, but the content can be changed for each use. The Template:Infobox is a very useful template that works this way. The Template:Infobox is designed to be used on biographical types of pages, allowing the page creator/editor to include an image, title, caption, birth and death dates, birthplace and beatification and canonization dates (if applicable) and have the format remain consistent across all of the pages. An example of using the Infobox can be seen on the the Vincent de Paul entry in the Encyclopedia.

Using the Infobox template:

In your page include the following
{{Infobox|name=Person's Name|image=[[Image:Image name to use]]|caption=Caption words|bdate=Birth date|ddate=Death date|birthplace=BirthPlace|beatified=date of beatification|canonized=Date of Canoniztion}}

Pay attention to these things:

• The code to insert begins with {{ and ends with }}. This says to the wiki software: "Got get the stuff inside these marks."
• The first item is the name of the template. In this case it is Infobox.
• Parameters are separated using the | symbol.
• Fill in your information using the format you see above: name=Person's name, image=a wiki-style link to an image, etc.
• The example box was created using the following:
  

{{Infobox|name=Vincent de Paul|image=[[Image:SVstudieux.jpg]]|caption=St. Vincent de Paul|bdate=1581|ddate=September 27, 1660|birthplace=Pouy France|beatified=1729|canonized=1737}}