Template:Talk header/doc

This template is a signpost. It is intended to be used on particularly active talk pages that attract commentary from inexperienced editors, and/or high levels of debate from everyone. It provides:


 * A short introduction and appropriate links for newcomers.
 * A reminder of policy to experienced Wikipedians.
 * A list of links to the current talk page's archives.
 * An optional archive search box.

Usage


To add this template to a talk page, just edit the talk page, and put talk header at the top of the page (above existing conversations).

Talk pages that attract frequent or perpetual debate, articles often subject controversy, and/or recent-and-highly-visible topics are usually appropriate for this template. Calm talk pages do not need this template.

This template should not be added to otherwise empty talk pages. That changes the "discussion" tab at the top of the page from a "red link" into a "blue link", which may mislead people into thinking there is discussion.

Parameters
Full syntax:




 * Up to five shortcuts can be added to the template, as unnamed parameters. For example,  . They will display similar to the  template, but within the talk header message box.
 * A search bar can be displayed to allow editors to search the archives of a talk page by using the parameter . For example:  . To deactivate the search feature, simply do not add the field.
 * For use on WikiProject talk pages, the parameter  can be included to add "and anything related to its purposes and tasks." to the top line of the banner.
 * When used on a talk page that has archives, links to those archives will be displayed automatically within this template. To switch this off, use the parameter . For example:  . In order for automatic archive links to be displayed, archives must be named in the standard way. A link to the archive index is also displayed, if it is named "/Archive index". If no archives exist for the current talk page, or if archives exist but possess non-standard names, no archive links will be displayed.
 * On user talk pages,  adds an additional banner which identifies the page as being originally from Wikibooks (and modifies the width to suit), matching the style of userpage.
 * Additional policy content can be added to talk headers on textbook talk pages by adding.
 * To add an additional instructions to "please place new discussions at the bottom of the talk page", use.

Hiding the template
If you would prefer not to see this template on any talk page, you can hide it from your view. You'll need to have an account to do this.


 * 1) Edit your user style page.
 * 2) Add a line:
 * 3) Save the change.
 * 4) Bypass your cache.

Appearances variations
Be aware that this template will appear differently in different namespaces. In particular, in the main namespace, there is an additional box of "Textbook policies". That box does not appear when this template is used in any other namespace (including the template namespace) but may be optionally added with the  parameter. Here is what the template looks like with the "Textbook policies" box:

Template editing notes
Please discuss before making changes to this template. Unannounced action tends to lead to a flurry of editing. Differences in personal taste have lead to "perpetual tweaking" in the past.

By design, this template appears differently depending on which namespace it is used in. One should remain conscious of how this will impact your changes. In particular, the number of columns can vary, affecting text width for line wrapping.