How to Add Infobox Module in MediaWiki

The Infobox in MediaWiki is a handy tool for presenting content and key information in a structured and visually pleasing way. Infoboxes are useful for any kind of MediaWiki project and can provide your readers with a quick snapshot of important data and details.

In this guide, we share how to add an infobox module in MediaWiki.

How to Add Infobox Module in MediaWiki

The process of adding infoboxes to MediaWiki is comprised of two main steps:

1. Lua Modules. Lua is a scripting language integrated into MediaWiki. Lua modules can handle data from the infobox and process information from the template’s parameters.
2. Template Syntax. The structure of each infobox is defined in MediaWiki’s wikitext, where you can specify holders for the data and the specific formatting of the content.

A simple process to add an infobox to MediaWiki looks like this:

First, you create a Lua module and define the logic to gather and display data. For example, you can add parameters such as “Name” and “Date of Birth”.

Then, you should build the design of your infobox by blending HTML and MediaWiki template syntax. An example can look like this:

{{#invoke:Infobox|show
| name = Albert Einstein
| image = Einstein.jpg
| birth_date = 14 March 1879
| birth_place = Ulm, Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire
}}

Once you have finished the designing process, it is time ton embed the infobox to your MediaWiki pages and articles, so to display the structured summary to your visitors.

Improve the Design with MediaWiki Common.css

The MediaWiki common.css is a cascading style sheet that acts as a global stylesheet for your MediaWiki project. You can use this file to customize the appearance of your infoboxes and other elements. You can find it in the root directory of your active MediaWiki skin.

Once you open the file, you can start modifying your infobox. For example, you can set dimensions and borders. Here’s a sample script for that:

.infobox {
width: 300px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
padding: 10px;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
}

Also, you can align images and text groups like this:

.infobox img {
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
}
.infobox td {
vertical-align: top;
}

In short, if you want to customize the design of your MediaWiki pages, the common.css is your go-to file.

Conclusion

Adding infobox modules to MediaWiki is quite an easy process. The flexibility of infoboxes allows you to create visually appealing designs, and distribute your data in a way that is easily digestible by your readers. Furthermore, you can couple the modules with tools like common.css styling, so you elevate the design of your MediaWiki pages to the next level.

Read also:

• How to Install MediaWiki
• How to Log In to MediaWiki
• How to Install MediaWiki Extensions
• How to Create a Page in MediaWiki
• How to Install a MediaWiki Skin