Memory Alpha
Memory Alpha
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{{shortcut|MA:MERGE}}
 
{{ma nav|Policies and guidelines}}
 
{{ma nav|Policies and guidelines}}
 
{{policy}}
 
{{policy}}
Occasionally, a [[Special:Whatlinkshere/Template:Merge with|page needs to be merged]] with another one, for example, because two articles about the same topic exist. In these cases, you can follow this guideline to suggest and perform a proper page merge.
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Occasionally, an article needs to be merged with another one, or a section of an article needs to be split off into a new article or added to a different article. In these cases, you can follow this guideline to suggest and perform a proper merge or split. For a list of articles currently suggested, see [[Memory Alpha:Pages to be...|pages to be merged or split]].
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== Merging two articles ==
 
Merging two articles is the combination of two pages into one location, including the page histories. Anyone can suggest a merge, but performing it should only be done by an [[Memory Alpha:Administrators|administrator]], because it involves temporarily deleting a page.
   
 
#A page merge should be suggested by adding the merge template to the page that should be merged with another one. For example, put {{tl|merge with|OTHER PAGE}} on top of a page to suggest that it should be merged with "OTHER PAGE". This template will invite discussion about this suggestion on the talk page. As a courtesy, put "merge suggested" in the edit summary, to additionally make other users aware of this.
 
#A page merge should be suggested by adding the merge template to the page that should be merged with another one. For example, put {{tl|merge with|OTHER PAGE}} on top of a page to suggest that it should be merged with "OTHER PAGE". This template will invite discussion about this suggestion on the talk page. As a courtesy, put "merge suggested" in the edit summary, to additionally make other users aware of this.
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#Explain on the talk page the reason(s) you think the pages should be merged under a heading named "Merge" or something similar.
#If, after seven to ten days, there's consensus, perform the merge by copying all information from that page to the new one. Note the source page of the new information in the edit summary, and leave a note about the performed merge on the talk page.
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#If, after seven to ten days, there's consensus, an administrator can perform the merge by combining all the information from the two pages as necessary, and then [[Help:Merge|merging the page histories]]. Note that you are merging the pages in the edit summary, and leave a note about the performed merge on the talk page.
#As a last step, the [[Help:Merge|page histories need to be merged]]. This can only be done by an [[Memory Alpha:Administrators|administrator]], because it involves temporarily deleting a page.
 
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== Splitting an article ==
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Splitting an article is removing a section of it to a new location while the page history remains at the original location. Suggesting a page split is much the same as suggesting a merge, and anyone can perform the split itself.
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#A page split should be suggested by adding {{tl|split}} to the top of the page, or alternatively the top of the section to be split off. This template will invite discussion about this suggestion on the talk page. As a courtesy, put "split suggested" in the edit summary, to additionally make other users aware of this.
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#Explain on the talk page the reason(s) you think the page should be split under a heading named "Split" or something similar.
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#If, after seven to ten days, there's consensus, the split can be performed by removing the information to be split off to a new page. Note where the information is going to when removing the information, and where the information is from when creating the new page. This can be done by placing "split to/from <nowiki>[[:PAGENAME]]</nowiki>" in the edit summary and leaving a note about the performed split on the original talk page.
   
[[Category:Memory Alpha guidelines|Merge]]
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[[Category:Memory Alpha guidelines|Merging and splitting]]

Revision as of 21:58, 18 June 2012

Memory Alpha AboutPolicies and guidelines → Merging and splitting articles
Memory Alpha
This page describes one of Memory Alpha's policies and guidelines.
Please read through the policy below to familiarize yourself with our common practices and rules.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or complaints, please post them on the talk page.

Occasionally, an article needs to be merged with another one, or a section of an article needs to be split off into a new article or added to a different article. In these cases, you can follow this guideline to suggest and perform a proper merge or split. For a list of articles currently suggested, see pages to be merged or split.

Merging two articles

Merging two articles is the combination of two pages into one location, including the page histories. Anyone can suggest a merge, but performing it should only be done by an administrator, because it involves temporarily deleting a page.

  1. A page merge should be suggested by adding the merge template to the page that should be merged with another one. For example, put {{merge with|OTHER PAGE}} on top of a page to suggest that it should be merged with "OTHER PAGE". This template will invite discussion about this suggestion on the talk page. As a courtesy, put "merge suggested" in the edit summary, to additionally make other users aware of this.
  2. Explain on the talk page the reason(s) you think the pages should be merged under a heading named "Merge" or something similar.
  3. If, after seven to ten days, there's consensus, an administrator can perform the merge by combining all the information from the two pages as necessary, and then merging the page histories. Note that you are merging the pages in the edit summary, and leave a note about the performed merge on the talk page.

Splitting an article

Splitting an article is removing a section of it to a new location while the page history remains at the original location. Suggesting a page split is much the same as suggesting a merge, and anyone can perform the split itself.

  1. A page split should be suggested by adding {{split}} to the top of the page, or alternatively the top of the section to be split off. This template will invite discussion about this suggestion on the talk page. As a courtesy, put "split suggested" in the edit summary, to additionally make other users aware of this.
  2. Explain on the talk page the reason(s) you think the page should be split under a heading named "Split" or something similar.
  3. If, after seven to ten days, there's consensus, the split can be performed by removing the information to be split off to a new page. Note where the information is going to when removing the information, and where the information is from when creating the new page. This can be done by placing "split to/from [[:PAGENAME]]" in the edit summary and leaving a note about the performed split on the original talk page.