View source for Help:Files

{{Short description|Media transcluded onto a page}}
{{pp-semi|small=yes}}
{{Information page|WP:FILE|WP:NS6}}
{{Nutshell|To use an image or other media file on Wikipedia, you need to upload it, and then edit a Wikipedia page to use the file.}}
{{Namespaces}}

{{further|Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Images}}
The '''File namespace''' is a [[WP:Namespace|namespace]] consisting of  [[Wikipedia:Administration|administration pages]] in which all of Wikipedia's media content resides. On Wikipedia, all media filenames begin with the prefix <code>File:</code>, including data files for  [[WP:Images|images]],  video clips, or  audio clips, including document length clips; or MIDI files (a small file of computer music instructions). 

[[Help:Searching|Search]] for files, or upload your own file. (See ''[[#Uploading files|Uploading files]]'' below.) A search lists every file page containing all the search terms found on the file page.  From the search box, enter <kbd>File:''descriptive terms''</kbd>.{{space}} For example, include the terms ''image'', ''video'', or ''midi'' in the query. Then, discovering the [[Help:page name|page name]], you can [[help:edit|edit]] the [[Help:wikitext|wikitext]] of any page and insert that media. This is an easy way to significantly improve articles.  (See ''[[#Using files|Using files]]'' below.) For example, the page title "File:CI 2011 swim 04 jeh.theora.ogv" will appear in the search results for {{nowrap|{{search link|File: swim video}}}}.

There are three semantic differences from the normal [[wp:wikilink|wikilink]] syntax when working with a ''[[help:file page|file page]]'':
{{Anchor|File link}}
* [<nowiki/>['''File:'''''pagename'']] will [[wp:transclude|transclude]] the file, inserting the image, video, audio, or MIDI file into the rendered page in a '''''[[Wikipedia:Extended image syntax|file link]]'''''. A ''file link'' is a transclusion from the '''File''' namespace, complete with transclusion parameters.
* [<nowiki/>[''':File:'''''pagename'']], with the initial colon, will link the image, video, or audio ''file page'';
* <nowiki>[[</nowiki>'''Media:'''''pagename'']] will render a link which can activate the image or audio or video of a ''data file'' directly, on its own page (separate from the rendered page or the ''file page'').
For backward compatibility with older pages the [[WP:namespace#Aliases|alias]] '''Image:''' (now deprecated) is still available instead of '''File:''' in wikilinks or in the search box, but "image" will now refer to more types of data files than just images.

==Uploading files==
{{see|Wikipedia:Uploading images|c:Commons:First steps}}
[[File:Illustrating Wikipedia brochure.pdf|link=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Illustrating_Wikipedia_brochure.pdf|thumb|250px| A Wikimedia Foundation brochure in PDF form that introduces newcomers to Wikimedia Commons and how they can contribute to it]]
The first step in using an image or other media file is to [[Wikipedia:Upload|choose an upload server]].  Some files must use [[Special:upload|Wikipedia's upload server]]. Many files can use
[[Commons:Upload|the Wikimedia Commons upload server]] which houses files at [[Commons:Main_Page|Wikimedia Commons]]. (Commons does not allow [[fair use]]. If the image is [[Wikipedia:Non-free content|non-free]] and meets the [[wikipedia:Non-free content criteria|non-free content criteria]] then you must upload it to Wikipedia.) All files uploaded from [[Wikimedia Commons]] are [[Mirror website|mirrored]] on to [[Wikipedia]] and searchable from either one. (See [[Special:Filelist]].)

The preferred formats
* for '''images''': [[SVG]], [[PNG]], [[JPEG]], and [[XCF (file format)|XCF]]. The [[GIF]] and [[TIFF]] formats are recognized, and other image formats may be too.
* for '''audio''': [[MIDI]], and also [[Ogg]] with [[FLAC]], [[Speex]], or [[Vorbis]] codecs.
* for '''video''': [[WebM]], and also Ogg with the [[Theora]] video codec.
You may have to rename your file for Wikipedia: see ''[[#Naming files|Naming files]]'' below. Also, please bear in mind that the [[Exif]] format of many digital cameras, smartphones, and scanners may embed personal metadata, and that if your media files are handled by unknown persons, [[steganography]] can embed hidden information in them.

High resolution images and animated .gif files may pose a problem for performance, but see the problem description in terms of bandwidth and reader's computing power at ''[[Wikipedia:IMAGE#Consideration of image download size|Consideration of image download size]]''. For photographs in JPEG format, upload the best quality and highest resolution version available; these will be automatically scaled down to low-resolution thumbnails when needed.

Once the file is uploaded, please verify its ''[[Help:File page|file page]]'' image quality and description, considering how its key words help tag it for proper indexing in a [[H:S|search result]]. If a file of the same name exists on both Wikipedia and Commons, the Wikipedia file will be displayed.

Files subject to any restrictions on how they may be used (except attribution or [[copyleft]]), such as "for use on Wikipedia only" or "for non-commercial use only", [[wikipedia:Non-free content|are not free enough]] and cannot be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons or Wikipedia. In case an image is [[WP:non-free content|non-free content]], use [[wikipedia:IMAGERES|low-resolution]] files so that the use is as minimal as possible.

==Using files==
{{For|all the details on the fields of a file link|Wikipedia:Extended image syntax|Module:InfoboxImage}}

[[H:S|Search]] for and find one of many existing image files, or upload your own file. Knowing the file's [[Help:page name|page name]] you can then  [[Help:Editing|edit]] your page and refer to that file to insert it into your wikitext. You will [[Help:wikilink|wikilink]] the page name, which will in turn include its file (of that name) in the page you edit.  Take for example ''File:Wikipedesketch.png''. Use the following ''all on one line'' (with no line breaks). Then the results will be as shown in the image to the right:
: <code><nowiki>[[</nowiki>'''File:'''Wikipedesketch.png|thumb|'''alt='''A cartoon centipede ... ''detailed description''.|The Wikipede edits <nowiki>''[[Myriapoda]]''</nowiki>.]]</code>
[[File:Wikipedesketch.png|thumb|alt=A cartoon centipede with 7 hands reads a book, lifts another, types on a laptop, and holds a bottle.|The Wikipede edits ''[[Myriapoda]]''.]]
The above link contains "fields":
# the page name, "[[:File:Wikipedesketch.png]]"
# "thumb", short for ''thumbnail'' and referring here to the reader's default size for images (See [[Help:User preferences]] to specify your own thumbnail sizes.)
# the [[WP:ALT|''alt'' text]], such as might read "A cartoon centipede with seven hands reads a book, lifts another, types on a laptop, and holds a bottle". ''Alt'' text is intended for visually impaired readers or those with browsers or computers that do not display images. See [[HELP:ALT]] for examples.
# the [[WP:CAPTION|caption]], as "The Wikipede edits ''[[Myriapoda]]''."  The caption is intended for viewers of the image and explains the meaning while using terms that refer directly to items ''as they appear'' in the image.
Text and captions need have little text in common. A reader of the article can click on the thumbnail, or on the small double-rectangle icon [[Image:Magnify-clip.png|link=|alt=]] below it, to go to the corresponding ''file page''.

By default, the page layout will place the image to the right of the wikitext, one line below where you placed the link.  The [[Wikipedia:Extended image syntax|extended image syntax]] provides many options to control how an image is displayed. You can make it "float" to the left, or center it, or place it without text flowing around it. You can force its size (to differ from the default set by the user), or even provide for the reader move around in a panorama. You can avoid image "stackups" in several ways, for example, by alternating left and right images, by aligning images, and if all else fails by forcing a break. You can create a gallery of images arranged into an array by using [[Help:Table|table syntax]], with a {{tl|Gallery}} template, and by directly using a [[Wikipedia:Gallery tag|gallery tag]]. Gallery tags use {{para|alt}} parameters on each line similar to standard images, but the {{tl|Gallery}} template requires enumerated alt text parameters. Also, you can create plain pictures that do not have captions and can be mingled with text and other images; these can use more fine-grained techniques, including borders, vertical alignment with text, and control over links. You can also link to an image without displaying it.

For examples of all these techniques, see ''[[Wikipedia:Picture tutorial|Picture tutorial]]''.

==Naming files==
{{main|Wikipedia:File names}}

File names should be clear and descriptive, without being excessively long. While the image name doesn't matter much to the reader (they can reach the [[Help:Image page|description page]] by simply clicking on the image), it matters for editors. It is helpful to other contributors and for maintenance of the encyclopedia if images have descriptive or at least readable file names. For example, ''File:Skyline Frankfurt am Main.jpg'' is more manageable than ''File:14004096 200703230833355477800.jpg''.

To avoid accidental overwriting of images or other media, generic filenames should not be used when uploading. For example, a picture of an [[album cover]] should not be given the name ''File:Cover.jpg''. Sooner or later someone else will try to do the same thing, and that could overwrite the old image. Then the new image will appear wherever the old one was seen before—an album article would then show the wrong album cover. A better name would be ''File:Sabaton The Last Stand cover.jpg''

===Renaming files===

Renaming a file page is different than [[Help:Rename|renaming other kinds of pages]]. The ''[[Help:page name|page name]]'' of a ''[[Help:file page|file page]]'' is renamed by a ''[[WP:file mover|file mover]]''.  A file mover is a user granted special [[Wikipedia:User access levels|rights]]. Unless you have been granted file mover rights, you must make a request to rename the page.

The request to rename a page is made by adding the following [[Help:template|template]] to the wikitext file page, anywhere on the page:
:{{tlx|Rename media|''new filename''|''reason for name change''}}
This will add the file page to ''[[:Category:Wikipedia files requiring renaming]]'', where a file mover will notice it.

The most common and accepted reasons a file mover will change a name are:
* '''Uploader''' request
* Changing from a '''meaningless''' to a descriptive title
* Changing from a '''misleading''' name to an accurate name
* Correcting important '''errors''' denoting, for example the spelling of a [[proper noun]], or a false historical date
* Harmonizing file names with '''a set of related names'''
* '''Disambiguating''' files with very similar names
* Remove '''pejorative''', '''offensive''' or '''crude''' language
The bolded words are description enough for the reason for a name change.

==Finding files ==
You can  use the [[Special:Search]] box below to locate Files.  See [[Help:Searching]] for more information.
<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=File**
searchbuttonlabel=Search File namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. Flag of Australia
</inputbox>

==See also==
* [[Help:Creation and usage of media files]]
* [[Help:Viewing media]]
* [[Wikipedia:File names]]
* [[Wikipedia:Images]] – an overview
** [[Wikipedia:Image use policy]]
** [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Images]]
** [[Help:Pictures]]
** [[Wikipedia:Uploading images]]
** [[Wikipedia:Extended image syntax]]
* [[mw:Help:Images]] at MediaWiki
* [[commons:Commons:Project scope/Allowable file types|commons:Allowable file types]] (STL is only allowed at Commons)

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