View source for Help:Getting started

{{short description|List of resources for new contributors}}
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{{About|help in general|the software feature for newly registered users|Wikipedia:GettingStarted}}
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As a new editor, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer size and [[Wikipedia:Purpose|scope of Wikipedia]]. Don't fret! Here are some resources that you can look into:
* The '''[[Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia|contributing to Wikipedia]]''' page provides information, links, videos and other resources on the basics needed to edit Wikipedia.
* The '''[[Wikipedia:Five pillars|five pillars]]''' is a popular summary of the most pertinent [[Wikipedia:Principles|Wikipedia principles]].
* The '''[[Wikipedia:Community portal|community portal]]''' is a central location to find collaborations, tasks, and news about Wikipedia.
* There are volunteers available to answer your questions at the '''[[Wikipedia:Teahouse|Teahouse]]'''. 

==Overview tutorials==
{{Aligned table |cols=1 |style=clear:both;float:right;margin-left:1.0em;width:22.0em;background:transparent;|{{Intro to box}} | [[File:The Impact Of Wikipedia.webm|thumbtime=0:14|upright=1.2|thumb|A video that articulates the diversity and enthusiasm of the Wikipedia Community. <small>(4:10 min)</small>]]|
{{ombox|image=none|small=y|text='''Note''': You can use the [[Draft:Sandbox|sandbox]] to experiment with page editing.|imageright=[[File:Sandbox.svg|52px|link=Draft:Sandbox|alt=Picture of a sandpit and shovel]]}}
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* '''[[Help:Introduction|Introduction]]''': our main tutorial to the core principles of how to edit contained in thirteen short modules (as '''[[#Topic-specific introductions|listed below]]''').
* '''[[Wikipedia:The Wikipedia Adventure|The Wikipedia Adventure]]''': a module-guided tour with fun, interactive learning, and practice.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Your first article|Your first article]]''': an article that discusses some of the ''dos'' and ''don'ts'', then shows you how to create an article. {{small|'''Note:''' The '''ability to create articles''' directly in mainspace [[WP:ACPERM|is restricted]] to [[autoconfirmed users]], though non-confirmed users and non-registered users can submit a proposed article through the [[Wikipedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] process, where it will be reviewed and considered for publication.}}

==Topic-specific introductions==
* '''[[Help:Introduction to navigating Wikipedia/1|Introduction to navigating Wikipedia]]''': a seven-part guide to navigating Wikipedia: Introduction; Namespaces; Searching pages; Page histories; Redirects and shortcuts; Useful links; and Summary.

===Protocols and conventions===
* '''[[Help:Introduction to policies and guidelines/1|Introduction to policies and guidelines]]''': a four-part guide to the '''[[Wikipedia:Simplified ruleset|rules]]''': Policies and guidelines; Content; Conduct; and Summary.
* '''[[Help:Introduction to the Manual of Style|Introduction to the Manual of Style]]''': a six-part introduction to the '''[[Wikipedia:Simplified Manual of Style|Manual of Style]]''': The Manual of Style; Article sections; Images and refs; Linking; Consistency; and Summary.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Introduction to deletion process|Introduction to the deletion process]]''': discusses the guidelines and policies relevant to deletion, as well as the overall process.

===Editing with Source editor===
* '''[[Help:Introduction to editing (WM)/1|Introduction to editing]]''': a six-part guide to editing: Editing pages; Formatting; Links and wikilinks; Saving your changes; Creating new articles; and Summary.
* '''[[Help:Introduction to referencing (WM)/1|Introduction to referencing]]''': a five-part introduction to referencing: Verifiability; Inline citations; RefToolbar; Reliable sources; and Summary.
* '''[[Help:Introduction to images (WM)/1|Introduction to uploading images]]''': a four-part guide on uploading images: Introduction; Uploading images; Using an image; and Summary.
* '''[[Help:Introduction to tables/1|Introduction to tables]]''': a four-part guide to putting tables in pages: Introduction to tables; Editing tables; Expanding tables; and Summary.
* '''[[Help:Introduction to talk pages/1|Introduction to talk pages]]''': a six-part guide to using '''[[Help:Using talk pages|talk pages]]''': Talk pages; User talk pages; Layout; Examples; Drawing attention; and Summary.

===Editing with VisualEditor===
* '''[[Help:Introduction to editing (VE)/1|Introduction to editing with VisualEditor]]''': a six-part introduction to editing with VisualEditor: Opening the editor; Toolbar basics; Links and wikilinks; Publishing changes; Creating new articles; and Summary.
* '''[[Help:Introduction to referencing (VE)/1|Introduction to referencing with VisualEditor]]''': a six-part introduction to referencing: Verifiability; Adding references; Editing existing ones; Reusing references; Reliable sources; and Summary.
* '''[[Help:Introduction to images (VE)/1|Introduction to uploading images with VisualEditor]]''': a six-part guide on uploading images: Introduction; Uploading images; Inserting images; Editing the details; Galleries; and Summary.
* '''[[Help:Introduction to tables (VE)/1|Introduction to tables with VisualEditor]]''': a five-part guide to putting tables in pages: Introduction to tables; Editing tables; Adding new tables; Expanding tables; and Summary.

==Training for student assignments==
These self-guided [[Wikipedia:Training|trainings]] help users involved with [[WP:Student assignments|student assignments]] to learn the basics of Wikipedia.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Training/For students|Training for students]]''': '''students start here!''' A four-part, 57-page training intended for students doing assignments on Wikipedia, with more detailed introductions to core Wikipedia policies, editing basics, and more specific editing advice for students. Chapters: Welcome (4 pages); The Core (14 pages); Editing (24 pages); and Advanced and background (15 pages).
* '''[[Wikipedia:Training/For educators|Training for educators]]''': '''educators start here!''' A five-part, 97-page training for professors and other educators who want to run Wikipedia assignments for class, with introductions to core Wikipedia policies, editing basics, and an overview of best practices for designing and implementing Wikipedia assignments.

==Guides==
* '''[[Wikipedia:VisualEditor/User guide|VisualEditor user guide]]''': a full manual for [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor]].
* '''[[Wikipedia:Plain and simple|Plain and simple]]''': the basic mechanics of Wikipedia. There are similar guides for:
** '''[[Wikipedia:Plain and simple conflict of interest guide|Plain and simple conflict of interest guide]]''': for editors with a conflict of interests.
** '''[[Wikipedia:Plain and simple guide for medical editors|Plain and simple guide for medical editors]]''': for editing medical subjects.
** '''[[Wikipedia:Plain and simple non-free content guide|Plain and simple non-free content guide]]''': discusses how Wikipedia's copyright guidelines are probably the most complicated part of the whole site, and breaks down what the rules are and what they mean.
* [[User:Cullen328/Smartphone editing|'''Smartphone editing''' (Personal User essay)]]: a Wikipedia administrator's personal experiences and advice about phone editing.
'''Quick guides'''
* '''[[Help:Edit toolbar|Edit toolbar]]''': how to use the edit toolbar while editing.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Media help|Media help]]''': how to get media to work on your computer.
* '''[[Help:Citations quick reference|Citations quick reference]]''': a quick guide to using citations.
* '''[[Help:Cheatsheet|Wikitext cheatsheet]]''': a quick guide to wikitext.

==Overview articles==
* '''[[Wikipedia:Eight simple rules for editing our encyclopedia|8 simple rules for editing our encyclopedia]]''': describes some basics about contributing and interactions with others.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Ten simple rules for editing Wikipedia|10 Simple Rules for Editing Wikipedia]]''': discusses some basic aspects of Wikipedia norms and practices.
* '''[[Wikipedia:A primer for newcomers|A primer for newcomers]]''': an overview intended for new contributors.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Avoiding common mistakes|Avoiding common mistakes]]''': discusses a few common mistakes everyone should try to avoid.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Expectations and norms of the Wikipedia community|Expectations and norms of the community]]''': discusses the general social norms that Wikipedia editors are expected to follow.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Everything you need to know|Everything you need to know]]''': a quick overview of some of Wikipedia's most important policies.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Learning the ropes|Learning the ropes]]''': discusses how to learn about Wikipedia.

==Books and videos==
* '''''[[Help: Wikipedia: The Missing Manual|The Missing Manual]]''''': a comprehensive how-to book that explains everything about contributing for novice to expert editors.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Instructional material|Wikipedia instructional material]]''' : a listing of screencasts, videos, and books.
* '''[https://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bookshelf The Bookshelf]''': (external link) a vast collection of high-quality, freely licensed, user-generated informational material about Wikipedia.

==Specialised tutorials==
* '''[[Wikipedia:Picture tutorial|Pictures tutorial]]''': how to insert pictures in pages. A long tutorial, but the basics are simple.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Graphics tutorials]]''': lots of links to graphics software tutorials.
* '''[[Wikipedia:IRC/Tutorial|IRC tutorial]]''': how to use [[Internet Relay Chat]] on Wikipedia.

==Help resources and assistance==
{{Help desk}}{{Portal|Help}}
{{commons cat|Instructional videos on using Wikipedia}}
* There is the '''[[Help:Menu|Help Menu]]''' and '''[[Help:Directory|Help Directory]]''' for a listing of help related pages.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Directory]]''': a descriptive list of Wikipedia's directories and indexes.
* '''[[Wikipedia:FAQ]]''': a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Questions]]''': discusses how to ask questions on Wikipedia.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Tips]]''': how to use Wikipedia in bite-sized morsels.
* '''[[Wikipedia:Dos and don'ts]]''': summarizes some of Wikipedia's protocols in a bullet-point format.
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