View source for Help:Deletion and undeletion

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{{PD Help Page}}
<translate><!--T:1--> Normal and sysop users cannot '''permanently delete a wiki page''', but sysops can delete a page such that it could still be restored.</translate>
<translate><!--T:32--> This is a deliberate design feature, and is an important part of why wikis work.</translate>
<translate><!--T:33--> Every kind of editing operation can be reverted by any other user, and that includes resurrecting deleted content.</translate>
<translate><!--T:34--> It doesn't cause significant wasted space; and with nothing but a 'delete' label, the page is effectively deleted anyway.</translate>

<translate><!--T:2--> '''Deleting a page''' is, on the other hand, a straightforward operation for anyone with [[<tvar name=1>Special:MyLanguage/Help:Sysops and permissions</tvar>|sysop permissions]]: it allows to semi-permanently remove a page from the wiki, until a sysop undeletes (restores) it with the same ease.</translate>
<translate><!--T:35--> Typically sysops might look for delete labels, and do a proper delete on these pages, after a period of time.</translate>
<translate><!--T:36--> If for some reason you need a page to be deleted more quickly than that, you will need to contact a sysop to request this.</translate>

<translate>
<!--T:3-->
[[<tvar name=1>Special:MyLanguage/Help:RevisionDelete</tvar>|Revision deletion]] offers a more granular feature of deletion for edits with particular problems.

== Before deleting == <!--T:4-->

<!--T:5-->
Sysops should also be aware of the general advice given on [[<tvar name=when-not>#When not to delete a page</tvar>|When not to delete a page]]: in particular, there are many situations where a deletion is too drastic. For example, a redirect is often more appropriate.

<!--T:6-->
Before deleting you could perform various checks:

<!--T:7-->
* Use the "<tvar name=1>{{int|whatlinkshere}}</tvar>" tool.</translate> <translate><!--T:37--> This gives an indication as to how important a page is, and what subjects it relates to.</translate> <translate><!--T:38--> Perhaps the page is still linked to prominently from many places.</translate> <translate><!--T:39--> All incoming links will become red links if you proceed with the deletion.</translate> <translate><!--T:40--> Ideally all incoming links should be changed/removed, if there is genuinely no need for this page to exist.</translate> <translate><!--T:41--> You could do this work prior to deleting, or ask others in the wiki community to do it.</translate>
<translate>
<!--T:8-->
* Check the page history and the associated talk page.</translate> <translate><!--T:42--> Who was proposing the deletion?</translate> <translate><!--T:65--> Does anyone disagree?</translate> <translate><!--T:66--> Has it been properly discussed?</translate> <translate><!--T:67--> Did people have adequate time to raise objections?</translate> <translate><!--T:68--> Did somebody vandalize a page, which then led to a deletion proposal?</translate>

<translate><!--T:9--> The care taken over these things might depend on the size of the wiki community, and how clear-cut the case for deletion is.</translate>
<translate><!--T:43--> Remember that only sysop users can undo a delete action, so to a normal user the information appears to be lost forever.</translate>

<translate>
== Use the 'delete' action == <!--T:10-->
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<translate><!--T:11--> Sysops should see a 'delete' tab or action menu option at the top of every page.</translate>
<translate><!--T:44--> To find the action menu, look for a down arrow or triangle next to the "View History" tab.</translate>
<translate><!--T:45--> If you mouse over the triangle you should see "delete", "move", "protect" and "watch".</translate>
<translate><!--T:46--> Click the delete action to delete the page.</translate>
<translate><!--T:47--> When using browsers which support keyboard shortcuts, you can also use <tvar name=1>{{Key press|Ctrl|Alt|D}}</tvar>.</translate>
<translate><!--T:48--> You will be asked to confirm, and to supply a "Reason for deletion".</translate>
<translate><!--T:49--> This is a short textual description of why the page is being deleted.</translate>
<translate><!--T:75--> You can also delete the associated talk page along with the subject page.</translate>
<translate><!--T:50--> Your action will appear on the recent changes display, and in the deletion log (<tvar name=spec-log>[[Special:Log]]</tvar>).</translate>

<translate>
<!--T:31-->
Remember that only administrators can delete uploaded files.

== Undeleting == <!--T:12-->
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<translate><!--T:69--> Pages can be completely undeleted, all revisions and page contents are stored.</translate>
<translate><!--T:13--> To undelete a page you must navigate to the exact page name of the page.</translate>
<translate><!--T:51--> You can find this in the deletion log (<tvar name=1>[[Special:Log]]</tvar>) if you don't remember it.</translate>

<translate><!--T:14--> You should then see a link to "<tvar name=msg>{{int|thisisdeleted|{{int|restorelink|n}}}}</tvar>".</translate>
<translate><!--T:52--> Tick the box next to the revision you wish to restore.</translate>

<translate>
==Configuring deletion reasons== <!--T:15-->

<!--T:16-->
The list of reasons in the dropdown box is maintained at <tvar name=1>[[MediaWiki:Deletereason-dropdown]]</tvar>.
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<translate><!--T:73--> For deletion of Files:</translate>
<translate><!--T:74--> The list of reasons in the dropdown box is maintained at <tvar name=1>[[MediaWiki:Filedelete-reason-dropdown]]</tvar>.</translate>

<translate>
== When not to delete a page == <!--T:17-->
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<translate><!--T:18--> Typically you would delete a page if the contents are entirely inappropriate and do not match the purposes of the Wiki.</translate>
<translate><!--T:53--> In other situations, you would take a less extreme course of action, for example:</translate>

<translate>
<!--T:19-->
* The page should have a different title.</translate> <translate><!--T:54--> See <tvar name=1>{{ll|Help:Moving a page}}</tvar>.</translate>
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<!--T:20-->
* The contents should have been placed on a different page -- Add the contents to the other page, and then supply a redirect.</translate> <translate><!--T:55--> See <tvar name=1>{{ll|Help:Redirects}}</tvar>.</translate>
<translate>
<!--T:21-->
* The contents are already on a different page -- Delete the duplicate content and leave a redirect.</translate> <translate><!--T:56--> That way, the page title, which made sense to somebody, will helpfully redirect to the information.</translate> <translate><!--T:57--> See <tvar name=1>{{ll|Help:Redirects}}</tvar>.</translate>
<translate>
<!--T:22-->
* The page is out-of-date -- Re-word sentences to be in the past tense, to make the page a historical record.</translate> <translate><!--T:58--> Alternatively, label the information as out-of-date, with a warning notice.</translate>
<translate>
<!--T:23-->
* [[<tvar name=1>m:Special:MyLanguage/Don't delete redirects</tvar>|m:Don't delete redirects]].
</translate>

<translate><!--T:24--> An actual delete is generally necessary only if the ''title'' of the page is inappropriate.</translate>
<translate><!--T:59--> In other situations, a merge and redirect is more appropriate.</translate>

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=== Proposing changes === <!--T:25-->
</translate>
<translate><!--T:26--> Deciding on appropriate content/page titles can be a difficult aspect of Wiki organization, and one which can often provoke debates.</translate>
<translate><!--T:60--> If the merge or deletion you have in mind is one which might cause upset, you should propose the change first.</translate>
<translate><!--T:61--> Do this by leaving a note to give your reasons on the [[<tvar name=h-talkpages>Special:MyLanguage/Help:Talk pages</tvar>|talk page]].</translate>
<translate><!--T:62--> You might also establish a system for labeling the page with a delete/merge proposal template, to make everybody aware of your intentions.</translate>

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=== Unlinking a page === <!--T:27-->
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<translate><!--T:28--> The 'What links here' toolbox feature (bottom of left sidebar) will tell you which other Wiki pages link to the current page.</translate>
<translate><!--T:63--> Always use this feature to check before proceeding with deleting.</translate>
<translate><!--T:64--> These related pages will need to be edited for their links to reflect the change.</translate>

<translate>
== Code stewardship == <!--T:72-->
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{{Component|mediawiki-page-deletion}}

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== See also == <!--T:29-->
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* {{ll|Manual:Page deletion}} – <translate><!--T:76--> documentation for MediaWiki developers</translate>
* {{ll|Manual:Administrators#Deletion|2=<translate><!--T:70--> Manual:Administrators#Deletion</translate>}}
* {{ll|Help:RevisionDelete}} – <translate><!--T:71--> optional feature that must be enabled, see <tvar name=1>{{ll|Manual:RevisionDelete}}</tvar>.</translate>

[[Category:Help{{#translation:}}|Sysop deleting and undeleting]]