Keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts in MediaWiki

Introduction

MediaWiki, the software powering Wikipedia and countless other wikis, is a powerful platform for collaborative content creation. While navigating and editing within MediaWiki can be done entirely with a mouse, learning and utilizing keyboard shortcuts can dramatically increase your efficiency and productivity. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the most useful keyboard shortcuts available in MediaWiki 1.40, geared towards beginners. We will cover shortcuts for editing, navigation, formatting, and general wiki interaction, explaining *why* they are beneficial and *how* to use them effectively. Mastering these shortcuts will not only save you time but also allow you to focus more on the *content* you are creating, rather than the mechanics of interacting with the interface. This is especially crucial when working on large or complex wiki projects.

Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts?

Before diving into the specifics, let's consider the advantages of incorporating keyboard shortcuts into your workflow:

**Increased Speed:** Shortcuts are almost always faster than clicking and navigating with a mouse. This time savings accumulates significantly over extended editing sessions.
**Improved Efficiency:** Keeping your hands on the keyboard reduces the need to switch between keyboard and mouse, leading to a smoother, more fluid workflow.
**Reduced Strain:** Minimizing mouse movements can help prevent repetitive strain injuries.
**Professionalism:** Experienced wiki editors often rely heavily on shortcuts, demonstrating a mastery of the platform.
**Accessibility:** For users with mobility impairments, keyboard shortcuts can provide a more accessible way to interact with MediaWiki.
**Focus:** By streamlining the editing process, shortcuts help you stay focused on the task at hand, improving concentration and reducing distractions. Understanding [Technical Analysis] can also improve focus.

General Shortcuts

These shortcuts are generally applicable across most MediaWiki installations, regardless of specific skins or extensions.

**Alt + F4:** Close the current tab or window. (Standard browser shortcut, applies within the wiki interface)
**Ctrl + T:** Open a new tab. (Standard browser shortcut, useful for referencing other wiki pages or external resources - see [Trading Strategies])
**Ctrl + W:** Close the current tab. (Standard browser shortcut)
**Ctrl + R or F5:** Refresh the current page. (Useful when changes are not reflected after saving.)
**Ctrl + P:** Print the current page.
**Ctrl + F:** Find text within the current page. This is invaluable for locating specific information, especially in long articles. It parallels searching for specific [Market Trends].
**Ctrl + + (Plus):** Zoom in.
**Ctrl + - (Minus):** Zoom out.
**Ctrl + 0:** Reset zoom to default.
**Spacebar:** Scroll down the page. (Press repeatedly to advance.)
**Shift + Spacebar:** Scroll up the page. (Press repeatedly to rewind.)
**Home:** Go to the top of the page.
**End:** Go to the bottom of the page.

Editing Shortcuts

These shortcuts are essential for efficient content creation and modification within the wiki editor. Note that some shortcuts may vary slightly depending on whether you're using the Visual Editor or the wikitext editor.

Wikitext Editor Shortcuts (Classic Editor)

**Ctrl + B:** Bold text. Surrounds the selected text with `...`. Understanding [Bollinger Bands] requires recognizing bold movements.
**Ctrl + I:** Italicize text. Surrounds the selected text with `...`.
**Ctrl + U:** Underline text. (Note: Underlining is generally discouraged in wikis, as it can be confused with links.)
**Ctrl + Shift + 7:** Insert a numbered list.
**Ctrl + Shift + 8:** Insert a bulleted list.
**Ctrl + Shift + <:** Insert a left-pointing arrow.
**Ctrl + Shift + >:** Insert a right-pointing arrow.
**Ctrl + K:** Insert an internal link. Prompts you to enter the target page title. Crucial for building a network of interconnected articles. Related to [Fibonacci retracement] levels.
**Ctrl + Shift + L:** Insert an external link. Prompts you to enter the URL and link text.
**Ctrl + Shift + M:** Insert a mathematical formula (using LaTeX). Requires knowledge of LaTeX syntax. Can be used to illustrate [Moving Averages].
**Ctrl + Shift + O:** Insert an image. Opens the image insertion dialog.
**Alt + Shift + H:** Show/hide the edit summary field. (Important for documenting your changes.)
**Alt + Shift + R:** Show/hide the revision history.
**Ctrl + S:** Save the page. (Standard browser shortcut.)
**Ctrl + Shift + S:** Preview the page.

Visual Editor Shortcuts

The Visual Editor offers a different set of shortcuts, more closely resembling those found in common word processors.

**Ctrl + B:** Bold text.
**Ctrl + I:** Italicize text.
**Ctrl + U:** Underline text.
**Ctrl + Shift + L:** Create a link.
**Ctrl + Shift + 7:** Create a numbered list.
**Ctrl + Shift + 8:** Create a bulleted list.
**Ctrl + K:** Insert a link (similar to the wikitext editor).
**Ctrl + Shift + I:** Insert an image.
**Ctrl + Alt + H:** Show/Hide the table of contents.
**Ctrl + Alt + S:** Save the page.
**Ctrl + Alt + P:** Preview the page.
**Ctrl + Shift + V:** Paste text as plain text (removes formatting). Useful when copying from external sources. Important for avoiding formatting issues when integrating [Trading Signals].
**Ctrl + Spacebar:** Show the floating palette with formatting options.

Navigation Shortcuts

These shortcuts help you move around the wiki without using the mouse.

**Alt + Left Arrow:** Go back to the previous page in your browsing history. (Standard browser shortcut.)
**Alt + Right Arrow:** Go forward to the next page in your browsing history. (Standard browser shortcut.)
**Ctrl + G:** Jump to a specific page by entering its title in a search box.
**Ctrl + E:** Start editing the current page. (If you have edit permissions.)
**Ctrl + Shift + C:** Copy the current page's wikitext.
**Ctrl + Shift + V:** Paste wikitext into the editor.
**Ctrl + Q:** Search the wiki.

Advanced Shortcuts & Customization

MediaWiki allows for a degree of shortcut customization, although this typically requires administrator privileges or the installation of specific extensions.

**Hotkeys Extension:** This extension allows users to define their own custom keyboard shortcuts for various actions.
**JavaScript Customization:** Experienced users can use JavaScript to create custom shortcuts tailored to their specific needs. This requires knowledge of JavaScript and the MediaWiki API. This can be used to create shortcuts for complex [Candlestick Patterns].
**Browser Extensions:** Browser extensions can also be used to add custom shortcuts to the wiki interface.

Troubleshooting Shortcuts

Sometimes, shortcuts may not work as expected. Here are some common issues and solutions:

**Shortcut Conflicts:** Other applications or browser extensions may be using the same shortcuts. Try disabling conflicting software.
**Skin-Specific Issues:** Some wiki skins may override or disable certain shortcuts. Try switching to a different skin (if available). Check the skin's documentation.
**Browser Compatibility:** Rarely, shortcuts may not work correctly in certain browsers. Try a different browser.
**JavaScript Errors:** If JavaScript is disabled or encountering errors, shortcuts may not function. Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser settings.
**Keyboard Layout:** The keyboard layout may affect how shortcuts are interpreted. Ensure your keyboard layout is correctly configured. For example, understanding [Elliott Wave Theory] can be challenging without a properly configured keyboard.
**Extension Conflicts:** Conflicts between MediaWiki extensions can sometimes disable shortcuts.

Best Practices & Learning Resources

**Start Small:** Don't try to learn all the shortcuts at once. Focus on a few key shortcuts that you use frequently and gradually add more to your repertoire.
**Practice Regularly:** The more you use shortcuts, the more natural they will become.
**Create a Cheat Sheet:** Keep a list of your most frequently used shortcuts handy for quick reference.
**Explore the MediaWiki Documentation:** The official MediaWiki documentation ([1](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Shortcuts)) provides a comprehensive list of available shortcuts.
**Community Forums:** Consult the MediaWiki community forums for tips and troubleshooting advice.
**Utilize Wiki Help Pages:** Many wikis have dedicated help pages that list commonly used shortcuts for that specific installation. Reviewing [Support and Resistance] levels can also be streamlined with shortcuts.
**Learn about [Risk Management]**: Understanding risk management is crucial even when being efficient with shortcuts.
**Study [Chart Patterns]**: Recognizing chart patterns is much faster with efficient editing and navigation.
**Understand [Trend Lines]**: Drawing trend lines and annotating charts is easier with quick access to editing tools.
**Explore [MACD]**: Analyzing MACD indicators becomes more efficient with shortcuts.
**Learn about [RSI]**: Using RSI as an indicator is streamlined with keyboard control.
**Study [Stochastic Oscillator]**: Analyzing the stochastic oscillator becomes faster with shortcuts.
**Investigate [Average True Range (ATR)]**: ATR calculations can be made more quickly with efficient editing tools.
**Understand [Ichimoku Cloud]**: Studying the Ichimoku Cloud is easier with quick navigation.
**Learn about [Donchian Channels]**: Donchian Channel analysis is streamlined with keyboard control.
**Explore [Parabolic SAR]**: Parabolic SAR implementation becomes easier with shortcuts.
**Study [Pivot Points]**: Pivot point analysis is streamlined with keyboard control.
**Understand [Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP)]**: VWAP calculations can be made more quickly.
**Learn about [Keltner Channels]**: Keltner Channel analysis is easier with quick access to editing tools.
**Explore [Heikin Ashi]**: Heikin Ashi chart analysis is streamlined with keyboard control.
**Study [Supertrend]**: Supertrend indicator implementation becomes easier with shortcuts.
**Understand [Ichimoku Kinko Hyo]**: Studying Ichimoku Kinko Hyo is easier with quick navigation.
**Learn about [Commodity Channel Index (CCI)]**: CCI analysis is streamlined with keyboard control.
**Explore [Chaikin Money Flow]**: Chaikin Money Flow calculations can be made more quickly.
**Study [On Balance Volume (OBV)]**: OBV analysis is streamlined with keyboard control.
**Understand [Accumulation/Distribution Line]**: Accumulation/Distribution Line calculations can be made more quickly.
**Learn about [Williams %R]**: Williams %R indicator analysis is streamlined with keyboard control.

Conclusion

Keyboard shortcuts are a powerful tool for anyone working with MediaWiki. By investing the time to learn and practice these shortcuts, you can significantly improve your efficiency, productivity, and overall experience. Remember to start small, practice regularly, and customize your shortcuts to fit your specific needs. The ability to quickly navigate and edit will not only make you a more proficient wiki contributor, but also allow you to focus on the core task of creating and sharing knowledge.

Help:Contents MediaWiki Wikipedia Editing Wikitext Visual Editor Manual:Shortcuts Special:Mypreferences Extension:Hotkeys Help:Formatting

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