Help:Transclusion

Transclusion is the core concept that powers templates in MediaWiki. It allows content from one page (usually a template) to appear dynamically on another page, without having to copy and paste it. Isn’t that cool?

What is Transclusion?

Templates are like reusable building blocks. Instead of repeating the same information across multiple pages, you define it once in a template and insert it wherever it's needed.

Think of it like a function in code:

{{TemplateName}}

This one simple line pulls in the entire content of the Template:TemplateName page.

Need to update a banner or a layout on 100 pages? Just update the template—it’ll reflect everywhere instantly. Efficient, consistent, and easy to maintain.

Basic Usage

To transclude a template onto a page, just type:

{{ExampleTemplate}}

To pass parameters:

{{ExampleTemplate|name=Fen|type=Admin}}

In the template code itself, you would use:

'''User:''' {{{name}}}
'''Role:''' {{{type}}}

Transcluding Other Pages (Not Just Templates!)

You can even transclude the content of any regular page:

{{Help:Editing}}

But be careful, this can create unexpected side effects if used outside of documentation or meta pages.

Nesting Templates (Templates Using Other Templates)

Templates can also transclude other templates. This is known as nesting, and it allows complex templates to be broken down into smaller, reusable components.

For example, a template like Template:Userbox might call another template like Template:Userbox/core to handle its layout:

{{Userbox/core
 | border-c = #aaa
 | id       = Example
 | info     = This is a nested template
}}

This keeps logic separated and easier to maintain. It also enables shared styling or behavior across many templates without repeating code.

Why Use Transclusion?

• ✅ Centralized maintenance
• ✅ Uniform formatting
• ✅ Clean, readable wikitext
• ✅ Dynamic content reuse

What It’s Not

• It’s not copying and pasting content.
• It’s not permanent—changes in the source reflect everywhere.