Underline Text

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  1. Underline Text in MediaWiki

This article details how to underline text within a MediaWiki environment, specifically focusing on techniques compatible with MediaWiki 1.40 and intended for beginners. Underlining text can be useful for emphasis, highlighting specific terms, or indicating titles within a larger body of text. However, it’s crucial to understand the proper methods to achieve this, as direct HTML tags are often discouraged or filtered out for security and consistency reasons. We will explore various methods, their compatibility, and best practices. We will also discuss the semantic implications of underlining and when to utilize it effectively. Finally, we’ll cover troubleshooting common issues and alternative methods for achieving a similar visual effect.

Why Underline Text?

Before diving into the 'how', let's consider the 'why'. Traditionally, underlining was frequently used for hyperlinks. However, modern web design strongly advocates against this practice, as it creates ambiguity. Users are accustomed to underlined text signifying a clickable link, and using it for other purposes can be confusing. Therefore, use underlining sparingly and with careful consideration.

Appropriate use cases include:

  • **Highlighting Key Terms:** When introducing a new or important term, a subtle underline can draw the reader’s attention. This is particularly useful in Glossary entries or technical documentation.
  • **Emphasizing Titles (with Caution):** Underlining smaller subheadings *within* a paragraph can provide visual hierarchy, but avoid using it for primary headings, as those should be handled with heading tags (e.g., `== Heading ==`).
  • **Specific Formatting Requirements:** Occasionally, specific style guides or document templates may require underlining for certain elements.
  • **Visual Distinction:** Underlining can differentiate text from surrounding content, though other methods like bolding or italics are generally preferred.

Methods for Underlining Text in MediaWiki

MediaWiki offers several approaches to underline text. The effectiveness of each method depends on the specific MediaWiki configuration, installed extensions, and the desired level of compatibility.

1. The `<underline>` Tag (Recommended)

The `<underline>` tag is the *preferred* and most reliable method for underlining text in MediaWiki 1.40. It’s a dedicated MediaWiki tag designed for this purpose.

Syntax:

```wiki <underline>This text will be underlined.</underline> ```

This produces:

This text will be underlined.

This method is generally safe and consistent across different browsers and MediaWiki installations. It’s the recommended approach because it doesn’t rely on potentially disabled HTML tags and is specifically designed for use within the MediaWiki environment. It's important to note that some older browsers might not fully support this tag, but this is becoming increasingly rare. This method also integrates well with other Text Formatting options.

2. Using HTML `` Tag (Potentially Disabled)

Historically, the HTML `` (underline) tag was used for underlining text. However, many MediaWiki installations disable the use of raw HTML tags for security reasons and to maintain consistent formatting.

Syntax:

```wiki This text might be underlined, depending on your MediaWiki configuration. ```

This *may* produce:

This text might be underlined, depending on your MediaWiki configuration.

    • Important Considerations:**
  • **Configuration Dependent:** Whether this method works depends entirely on the MediaWiki installation’s settings. If HTML tags are disabled, this will display as plain text.
  • **Security Risk:** Allowing arbitrary HTML can introduce security vulnerabilities.
  • **Semantic Incorrectness:** The `` tag is considered semantically incorrect as it lacks clear meaning. It’s primarily a presentational tag, and modern web development emphasizes semantic HTML.

To check if HTML tags are enabled on your MediaWiki instance, try entering a simple HTML tag like `bold text`. If it renders as **bold text**, HTML tags are likely enabled. If it displays the raw tag, they are disabled. Refer to your MediaWiki administrator for information on enabling or disabling HTML tags. Understanding MediaWiki Configuration is crucial here.

3. CSS Styling (Advanced)

For more advanced control and consistency, you can use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to define a custom class for underlined text. This requires access to the MediaWiki’s CSS files (typically `MediaWiki:Common.css` or a custom skin’s CSS file).

    • Steps:**

1. **Define the CSS Class:** Add the following CSS rule to your MediaWiki’s CSS file: 

   ```css
   .underline {
     text-decoration: underline;
   }
   ```

2. **Apply the Class in Wiki Text:** Use the `` tag to apply the class to the desired text. 

   ```wiki
   This text will be underlined using CSS.
   ```

This produces:

This text will be underlined using CSS.

    • Advantages:**
  • **Consistency:** Ensures consistent underlining across the entire wiki.
  • **Control:** Allows for fine-grained control over the underlining style (e.g., color, thickness).
  • **Semantic Correctness:** Uses a CSS class, which is a more semantic approach than relying on presentational HTML tags.
    • Disadvantages:**
  • **Requires CSS Access:** Requires access to the MediaWiki’s CSS files, which may be restricted.
  • **More Complex:** More complex than the simple `<underline>` tag.
  • **Caching Issues:** Changes to CSS files may require clearing the server cache to take effect. This is related to MediaWiki Caching.

4. Using Templates (For Reusable Underlining)

If you need to underline text frequently, creating a template can streamline the process.

    • Steps:**

1. **Create a Template:** Create a new template page (e.g., `Template:Underline`). 2. **Add the Template Code:** Add the following code to the template page: 

   ```wiki
   <underline>Template:1</underline>
   ```

3. **Use the Template:** In your wiki text, use the template like this: 

   ```wiki
   Template:Underline
   ```

This produces:

This text will be underlined using a template.

    • Advantages:**
  • **Reusability:** Avoids repeating the same code multiple times.
  • **Maintainability:** If you need to change the underlining method, you only need to modify the template.
  • **Simplicity:** Simplifies the wiki text.
    • Disadvantages:**
  • **Template Overhead:** Adds a small overhead due to template processing.
  • **Requires Template Creation:** Requires creating and managing a template. See Help:Templates for more information.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • **Text Not Underlined:**
   *   **HTML Tags Disabled:**  If using the `` tag, ensure that HTML tags are enabled in your MediaWiki configuration.
   *   **CSS Not Applied:**  If using CSS, verify that the CSS rule is correctly defined in the CSS file and that the file is accessible.  Clear your browser cache and the MediaWiki cache.
   *   **Typographical Errors:**  Double-check for typos in the wiki text or CSS code.
   *   **Conflicting Styles:**  Other CSS rules may be overriding the underlining style. Use your browser’s developer tools to inspect the element and identify any conflicting styles.
  • **Unexpected Formatting:**
   *   **HTML Tags Interpreted Literally:** If HTML tags are not disabled but are displayed as text, your MediaWiki installation might be escaping HTML characters. This is a security measure.
   *   **Incorrect Tag Usage:** Ensure that you are using the correct opening and closing tags (e.g., `<underline>...</underline>`).
  • **Link Confusion:** Avoid underlining text that isn’t a link to prevent user confusion.

Best Practices and Semantic Considerations

  • **Prioritize Semantic HTML:** Whenever possible, use semantic HTML tags like `` or `` for emphasis instead of relying solely on visual formatting like underlining.
  • **Use Underlining Sparingly:** Overusing underlining can clutter the page and reduce its readability.
  • **Avoid Underlining Links:** Do not underline text that is already a link. The underlining should be reserved for other purposes.
  • **Consider Alternatives:** Explore other formatting options like bolding, italics, or color highlighting to achieve the desired visual effect. Refer to MediaWiki Formatting Guide.
  • **Test Across Browsers:** Test your wiki pages in different browsers to ensure consistent rendering.
  • **Accessibility:** Be mindful of accessibility. Users with visual impairments may rely on screen readers that don't always interpret underlining effectively. Providing alternative cues, like bolding or semantic markup, can improve accessibility.

Alternatives to Underlining

If underlining feels inappropriate or causes confusion, consider these alternatives:

  • **Bold Text:** Use `` or `` for strong emphasis.
  • **Italic Text:** Use `` or `` for less emphasis or for titles of works.
  • **Color Highlighting:** Use `` to highlight text with a specific color. (Use with caution, as color alone can be inaccessible).
  • **Small Capitals:** Use `` for a subtle visual effect.
  • **Blockquotes:** Use `

    ` for longer quoted sections to visually separate them from the main text.

  • **Lists:** Use bulleted or numbered lists to organize information. See Lists in MediaWiki.
  • **Tables:** Use tables to present data in a structured format. See Tables in MediaWiki.

Related Topics

External Resources

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