Template:Edit protected/doc

Description
This template is placed on a talk page to request an edit of the corresponding fully protected page. The template should be accompanied by a clear and specific description of the requested change, and consensus should be obtained before the template is added. Providing the new sentences or code in your request, if possible, will expedite the process.

Usage
The general procedure for using this template is: For more guidance, see the section General considerations below.
 * 1) Propose a specific change on the talk page, and get consensus for it. Don't add the editprotected template yet.
 * 2) Once it is clear there is consensus for the change, and any final details have been worked out, put "" on the talk page along with a short, clear explanation.
 * 3) An administrator will notice the editprotected template has been added, and will respond to the request.

Errors on the main page
To report an error you have noticed on the current main page or tomorrow's main page, please add it to the appropriate section on Main Page/Errors instead of using this template.

Optional unnamed parameters

 * 1) Actual page. The actual page you want edited, such as when the talk page of the protected page is redirected. E.g.
 * 2) Category sort. E.g.

Effects
This template adds a page to Category:Wikipedia protected edit requests. Administrators routinely check this category for protected edit requests to process. In the three months of September through November 2007, the average time for a request to be handled was approximately 23 hours, and 75% of requests were resolved within 26 hours.

Edits affecting several pages
Sometimes the same or similar edits are needed on several pages, such as adding the same category to many pages. In this case, add to only one talk page, with a list all of the pages that needs updating and a clear description of what needs to be done. This saves work both for the editor making the request and for the admin responding to the request. Requests for large-scale edits that require administrative abilities can also be made at the administrator's noticeboard.

Requests for templates
If you are requesting a complex change to a template it is a good idea to place the required code on the template's sandbox copy. This gives the opportunity to test the code before changing the live template. Instead of pasting the code on the talk page, which can affect its readability, just place a link to the /sandbox along with the request and rationale.

Recommended action upon resolution
Once a request is handled, it's best to leave the tag as an un-transcluded tag by changing it to, for example,. This removes the message box from the talk page and removes the talk page from the category, while still leaving a record of the request. may be used as a templated reply after responding to a request.

Note
MediaWiki:Protectedpagetext has a "Submit an edit request" link which for fully protected pages uses


 * Template:Edit protected/preload
 * Template:Edit protected/editintro

to preload text into the edit request's editbox, and to show instructions.