Wiki markup facts for kids

Wikitext editor on Wikipedia

Wikitext language, also called wiki markup, is a special computer language. It helps you write and create pages on websites called wikis, like Wikipedia. Think of it as a simpler way to build web pages compared to a more complex language called HTML.

When you write something using Wikitext, special computer programs called wiki software (like MediaWiki) change it into regular HTML. Your web browser then understands this HTML and shows you the page you see on your screen.

How Wikitext Works

Wikitext uses simple symbols to tell the computer how to show text. It's like a secret code that makes words bold, italic, or links to other pages.

For example, if you want to make text bold, you use three apostrophes:

• `This text will be bold` becomes This text will be bold

If you want to make text italic, you use two apostrophes:

• `This text will be italic` becomes This text will be italic

You can also make words into links to other pages on the same wiki:

• `internal link` becomes internal link

Or link to websites outside the wiki:

• `external website` becomes external website

Here's an example of how Wikitext turns into what you see:

• Wikitext you type:

`"You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter: "it's very easy to take more than nothing."`

• What you see on the page:

"You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter: "it's very easy to take more than nothing."

This quote comes from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

Why We Use Wikitext

The main reason wikis use Wikitext instead of HTML is because HTML can be quite tricky. Not everyone knows how to use HTML to build web pages.

Wikitext is much easier to learn and use. This makes it simple for many people to help create and edit content on a wiki. It means more people can share their knowledge and build amazing online encyclopedias like Wikipedia!

Related Topics

• HTML
• WYSIWYG editor

Images for kids

• 

  Ward Cunningham, who invented the wiki.

• 

  The Wiki Wiki Shuttle at Honolulu International Airport.

• 

  History comparison reports show changes between different versions of a page.

• 

  The home page of the English Wikipedia.