View source for Infoboxes

# Infoboxes

Infoboxes are a fundamental element of many [[Wikipedia]]-style wikis, including those running MediaWiki 1.40. They provide a concise, structured summary of information about a topic, typically displayed in a dedicated box, usually in the top-right corner of an article. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding, creating, and customizing infoboxes within the MediaWiki environment.  We will cover the basics, advanced techniques, templates, and best practices. This guide is geared towards beginners, assuming limited prior knowledge of wiki markup.

== What are Infoboxes and Why Use Them? ==

Infoboxes serve several key purposes:

*   **Standardization:** They ensure a consistent presentation of key facts across similar articles. For example, all articles about countries might use the same infobox, displaying population, capital, and official languages in identical locations.
*   **Quick Overview:**  They allow readers to quickly grasp the most important information about a topic without needing to read the entire article.
*   **Visual Appeal:**  Infoboxes break up large blocks of text, making the article more visually appealing and easier to navigate.
*   **Data Aggregation:** They can be used to aggregate data for site-wide searches and reports.  Some wikis utilize infobox data for automated lists and categorization.
*   **Navigation:** Infoboxes often contain links to related articles, aiding in navigation within the wiki.

== Basic Infobox Syntax ==

The foundation of an infobox is the `{{infobox}}` tag.  However, directly using this tag is rarely done. Instead, infoboxes are typically implemented using [[templates]].  Templates encapsulate the infobox structure and parameters, making them reusable across multiple articles.

Here's a simplified example of how an infobox *might* be defined within a template (we'll discuss template creation in detail later):

```wiki
<div class="infobox" style="width:300px;">
  <table cellpadding="5" style="background:#f9f9f9;border:1px solid #aaa;margin:0.5em 0 0.5em 1em;">
    <tr>
      <th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;">{{PAGENAME}}</th>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th style="width:30%;">Image:</th>
      <td>[[File:Example.png|150px]]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th>Caption:</th>
      <td>A descriptive caption for the image.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th>Property 1:</th>
      <td>Value 1</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th>Property 2:</th>
      <td>Value 2</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
</div>
```

Let's break down this code:

*   `<div class="infobox">`:  This defines the container for the infobox, using the CSS class "infobox" for styling. This class is often pre-defined in the wiki's stylesheet (usually `MediaWiki:Common.css`).
*   `<table cellpadding="5" ...>`:  The infobox is structured as a table. `cellpadding="5"` adds space around the content within each cell. The style attributes set the background color, border, and margin.
*   `<tr>` and `<th>` / `<td>`:  These are standard HTML table tags for rows and table header/data cells respectively.
*   `{{PAGENAME}}`: This is a [[magic word]] that automatically inserts the name of the current page as the title of the infobox.
*   `[[File:Example.png|150px]]`: This displays an image.  Replace "Example.png" with the actual image file name.  `|150px` sets the image width to 150 pixels.  See [[File handling]] for more details.
*   The remaining `<tr>` elements define the key-value pairs that make up the infobox's information.

To *use* this infobox in an article, you would transclude the template using the `{{TemplateName}}` syntax. For example, if the template is named "ExampleInfobox", you would add `{{ExampleInfobox}}` to the article.  The template parameters would need to be defined to populate the values.

== Infobox Templates: The Key to Reusability ==

Templates are the cornerstone of effective infobox management. They allow you to define the structure and parameters of an infobox once and then reuse it across many articles.

To create a template:

1.  **Create a new page:** Navigate to a page named "Template:YourInfoboxName" (e.g., "Template:Country").
2.  **Add the infobox code:**  Paste the infobox code (like the example above) into the template page.
3.  **Define Parameters:**  Replace the hardcoded values with parameters. Parameters are enclosed in triple curly braces `{{{parameterName}}}`.  For example, instead of `Value 1`, you would use `{{{property1}}}`.
4.  **Add Documentation:**  It's crucial to document the template, explaining each parameter and its expected value.  Use the `{{documentation}}` template to create a dedicated documentation page.

Here's an example of a template ("Template:Country") with parameters:

```wiki
<div class="infobox" style="width:300px;">
  <table cellpadding="5" style="background:#f9f9f9;border:1px solid #aaa;margin:0.5em 0 0.5em 1em;">
    <tr>
      <th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;">{{{country_name}}}</th>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th style="width:30%;">Flag:</th>
      <td>[[File:{{{flag_image}}}|150px]]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th>Capital:</th>
      <td>{{{capital}}}</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th>Population:</th>
      <td>{{{population}}}</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th>Area:</th>
      <td>{{{area}}}</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
</div>
<noinclude>
{{documentation}}
</noinclude>
```

Now, to use this template in an article about France, you would add the following code:

```wiki
{{Country
| country_name = France
| flag_image = Flag of France.svg
| capital = Paris
| population = 67.75 million (2023)
| area = 551,695 km²
}}
```

== Advanced Infobox Techniques ==

*   **Conditional Statements:**  You can use parser functions like `{{#if}}` to display information conditionally based on parameter values. This is useful for handling optional parameters or displaying different content based on the type of entity.
*   **Loops:**  The `{{#loop}}` parser function allows you to iterate over a list of values and display them in a structured format. This can be used for displaying multiple items, such as a list of languages spoken in a country.
*   **Formatting:**  Use HTML and CSS to customize the appearance of the infobox.  However, be mindful of the wiki's stylesheet and avoid overriding existing styles unnecessarily. Consider using CSS classes for consistency.
*   **External Data Sources:**  Advanced infoboxes can pull data from external sources using extensions like [[External Data]].
*   **Template Modules:** For very complex infoboxes, consider using [[Lua]] modules to encapsulate the logic and improve performance.

== Common Infobox Parameters and Best Practices ==

*   **`image` / `flag_image`:**  For displaying images or flags.  Always provide a descriptive caption.
*   **`caption`:**  A brief description of the image.
*   **`name` / `country_name`:**  The name of the subject.
*   **`capital`:** The capital city or administrative center.
*   **`population`:** The population figure.  Include the year of the estimate.
*   **`area`:** The geographical area.  Specify the units (e.g., km², mi²).
*   **`official_languages`:** A list of official languages.
*   **`currency`:** The currency used.
*   **`website`:**  A link to the official website.

**Best Practices:**

*   **Consistency:**  Use the same infobox template for all articles on similar topics.
*   **Documentation:**  Thoroughly document your templates.
*   **Parameter Names:**  Use descriptive and consistent parameter names.
*   **Units:**  Always specify units for numerical values.
*   **Avoid Excessive Detail:**  Infoboxes should provide a summary, not a comprehensive list of information.  Detailed information should be in the article body.
*   **Accessibility:** Ensure that the infobox is accessible to users with disabilities. Use appropriate HTML tags and alt text for images.
*   **Maintainability:** Keep templates simple and well-structured to facilitate future maintenance.

== Troubleshooting Infoboxes ==

*   **Infobox Not Displaying:**  Check the template name for typos. Ensure the template exists and is not protected.
*   **Parameters Not Populating:**  Verify that you are using the correct parameter names in the article. Check the template documentation.
*   **Formatting Issues:**  Inspect the HTML and CSS code for errors.  Use your browser's developer tools to debug the styling.
*   **Parser Errors:**  If you are using parser functions, check the syntax carefully.  Parser errors can prevent the infobox from rendering correctly.

== Related Topics and Resources ==

*   [[Help:Templates]]
*   [[Help:Magic words]]
*   [[File handling]]
*   [[CSS]]
*   [[Lua (for MediaWiki)]]
*   [[External Data]]
*   [MediaWiki Infobox Documentation](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Infoboxes)
*   [Template:Infobox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox) (Example from Wikipedia)

== Trading and Financial Concepts (Related to Data Analysis and Infoboxes) ==

Infoboxes, while primarily for wiki organization, can be conceptually linked to data presentation in financial analysis.  Understanding trends and indicators relies on concise data summaries, mirroring the purpose of an infobox.

*   **Technical Analysis:** The presentation of key metrics (like moving averages, RSI, MACD) can be structured similarly to an infobox.
*   **Fundamental Analysis:** Summarizing company financials (revenue, profit, debt) is akin to filling out an infobox for a company.
*   **Moving Averages:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/movingaverage.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/movingaverage.asp)
*   **Relative Strength Index (RSI):** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rsi.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rsi.asp)
*   **Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD):** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/macd.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/macd.asp)
*   **Bollinger Bands:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bollingerbands.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bollingerbands.asp)
*   **Fibonacci Retracement:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fibonacciretracement.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fibonacciretracement.asp)
*   **Candlestick Patterns:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/candlestick.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/candlestick.asp)
*   **Support and Resistance:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/supportandresistance.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/supportandresistance.asp)
*   **Trend Lines:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/trendline.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/trendline.asp)
*   **Volume Analysis:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/volume.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/volume.asp)
*   **Elliott Wave Theory:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/elliottwavetheory.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/elliottwavetheory.asp)
*   **Ichimoku Cloud:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/ichimoku-cloud.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/ichimoku-cloud.asp)
*   **Stochastic Oscillator:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stochasticoscillator.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stochasticoscillator.asp)
*   **Average True Range (ATR):** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/atr.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/atr.asp)
*   **Parabolic SAR:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/parabolicsar.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/parabolicsar.asp)
*   **Donchian Channels:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/donchianchannel.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/donchianchannel.asp)
*   **Heikin Ashi:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/heikin-ashi.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/heikin-ashi.asp)
*   **Pivot Points:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pivotpoints.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pivotpoints.asp)
*   **Market Sentiment:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marketsentiment.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marketsentiment.asp)
*   **Bearish Trend:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bearish.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bearish.asp)
*   **Bullish Trend:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bullish.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bullish.asp)
*   **Head and Shoulders Pattern:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/headandshoulders.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/headandshoulders.asp)
*   **Double Top/Bottom:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/doubletop.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/doubletop.asp)
*   **Trading Volume:**  [https://www.corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/trading-investing/trading-volume/](https://www.corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/trading-investing/trading-volume/)
*   **Risk Management:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/riskmanagement.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/riskmanagement.asp)
*   **Diversification:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/diversification.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/diversification.asp)


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[[Category:Templates]]