Help:Visual file markup

Help:Visual file markup is a guide for users on how to effectively use visual file markup in MediaWiki software. Visual file markup refers to the syntax and options available for embedding and formatting images, videos, and other media files within a wiki page. This article provides an overview of the basic commands and extended options for visual file markup, enhancing the visual presentation and informational value of wiki content.

Overview

Visual file markup in MediaWiki allows users to incorporate multimedia elements directly into pages. This feature is crucial for creating engaging and informative content. The markup syntax is designed to be simple yet powerful, offering various options for file alignment, sizing, and captioning.

Basic Syntax

The basic syntax for embedding a file in a MediaWiki page is: This simple code will insert the image 'Example.jpg' into the page. Users can upload their files to the wiki or use those already available in the wiki's database.

Options for File Embedding

MediaWiki's visual file markup includes several options that can be added to the basic syntax to customize the file's appearance and behavior on the page:

Alignment

Files can be aligned on the page to improve layout and readability. The options include:

• Left:
  
• Right:
  
• Center:
  
• None:
  
  (inline with text)

Sizing

The size of the files can be adjusted to fit the page design:

• Fixed size: File:Example.jpg (sets the width to 200 pixels)
• Scaling:
  
  (creates a thumbnail of the image, scaled to 200 pixels wide)

Captioning

Captions provide context and additional information about the file:

A caption here

Using the "thumb" option automatically places the caption below the file.

Linking

Files can also link to other pages or external resources when clicked: This option turns the image into a clickable link that directs to the specified page.

Advanced Features

MediaWiki also supports more advanced features for visual file markup, such as setting alternative text for images (important for accessibility), and handling multimedia files like videos and sound clips.

Best Practices

When using visual file markup, consider the following best practices:

• Always provide meaningful captions and alternative text.
• Optimize file sizes to improve page load times.
• Use appropriate file types (e.g., JPEG for photographs, PNG for graphics with fewer colors).
• Align and size images in a way that enhances the page layout and readability.

See Also

• Help:Images
• Help:Linking
• Help:MediaWiki markup