Help:Copying and Pasting into a Wiki Page

What is "Copy and Paste?"
Copy and Paste is the ability to select and copy text from one location, and insert it into another location. It is possible to "Copy and Paste" text from PDFs, Internet pages, and document files into the FamilySearch Research Wiki, however, not all of the formatting will be included when copying and pasting between different computer program files. Special instructions are available if you want to copy and paste text from a spreadsheet, such as an Excel document. Pertaining to the Wiki, copying and pasting usually means to copy information from one location or file, and pasting it, or adding it into the editing window of a Wiki page.

How to Copy Text from a program
1. Before you copy and paste, first know what text you want to copy, and where you want to paste or insert it.

2. Copy text from a page in any program. You can use the Edit menu or any of its shortcuts. A Web browser and other programs can be open at the same time. To switch between the different programs, locate the icons on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. You may also open more than one instance of an Internet browser to copy from another website.

NOTE: Some Web browser software have security settings that often disallow users from cutting, copying, and pasting text into a wiki page by right-clicking on the mouse. however, the following keystroke combinations should work in most cases:


 * Cut: CTRL X
 * Copy: CTRL C

How to Paste into a Wiki Page
1. Make sure you are logged in to the Family Search Research Wiki.

2. Navigate to a page in the Wiki where you want to paste the text into.

3. Click the Edit This Page button found at the top of the page or click on the Edit box at the top right of each section heading. In either case, this will open the editing window.

4. Click your mouse on the page where you want the text to appear. The Wikitext may seem a little scary at first because it looks unusual. If you are new to editing, just stick with Copy and Paste and you will do OK. Remember to avoid the following characters [ { < and ] } >. As you gain more experience, you will learn how to use these additional functions.

5. Now paste your text into the page in the Wiki. You can use the Edit menu or any of its shortcuts. You can insert text anywhere there is space, such as before or after a paragraph. You can also insert text into the middle of a paragraph.

NOTE: Some Web browser software have security settings that often disallow users from cutting, copying, and pasting text into a wiki page by right-clicking on the mouse. however, the following keystroke combinations should work in most cases:


 * Paste: CTRL V

6. Format your text after you have pasted it. Use your backspace key, Delete key and Enter key just as you do in your word processor. If you make a mistake, don't worry. Its not permanent. You can fix it or someone else will.

7. When you are finished, scroll down to the bottom and add a short Edit Summary.

8. Then click the Save page button. This page will now contain your changes. Everyone who looks at your page, from around the world, will see the changes that you made. Its a good feeling to help others.