The Template:Cite_web/auto is a co-template of wp:CS1 template {{cite web}}, supporting all the same parameters, while also autofixing (or auto-correcting) invalid parameters in a logical manner, rather than always display red-error messages where the template failed to display data with parameters containing typos. The autofixed result will display with a small warning "^{[fix cite]}" to alert the user to check the cite for misspelled parameters or typos, as time permits. In many cases, the displayed result is the same as if the cite parameters were already fixed (hence the term "autofixed"), and all cite details are displayed to allow a reader to use the citation to verify the related text.

For a full list of parameters, see: Template:Cite_web/doc, where the typical use and restrictions of parameter data are explained in detail.

Usage

Copy a blank version to use. All parameter names must be in lowercase. Use the "|" (pipe) character between each parameter. Delete unused parameters to avoid clutter in the edit window. Some samples may include the current date. If the date is not current, then the page.

Most commonly used parameters in horizontal format

For references with author credit {{cite web/auto |url= |title= |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website= |publisher= |accessdate=22 December 2024}}

Message: fix cite

When a cite has invalid parameters, the superscript note "^{[fix cite]}" will be displayed as a warning, but the parameter names will be autofixed to treat the parameter as the closest logical respelling. The autofixing can include setting a bare URL web address to fill the empty "url=" parameter. Also, autofixing can adjust several misspelled parameters, so a user should check all parameter names when hand-editing to correct the cite parameters.

See also

• wp:Autofixing cites, essay which describes methods to autofix cites in various pages

This template produces COinS metadata; see COinS in Wikipedia for background information.