GameFAQs Help: Formatted FAQs

What is a Formatted FAQ and how do I write one?

A Formatted FAQ is a new way to have your FAQ posted on GameFAQs. Instead of using plain text, you can now use limited markup to make your guides easier to follow and use. Formatted FAQs have an auto-generated table of contents, automatic pagination (to avoid users having to load up a 1MB file into their browser), and can use basic HTML constructs like headers, tables, lists, and highlight boxes.

How do I compose a Formatted FAQ?

Formatted FAQs are still basic text files, containing markup that is interpreted by GameFAQs servers and displayed as HTML. It's designed to allow you to take any existing guides you have and convert them to the new format. You can still use whichever text editor you want, even Notepad, and as long as you include the proper markup, the guide will be converted to the new format automatically.

A Formatted FAQ must have an extension of ".txt", and the following text as the first line of the file:


;format:gf-markup

This line tells the GameFAQs server to interpret the guide as a Formatted FAQ - otherwise, it will be considered a standard text file.

How do I add markup to a Formatted FAQ?

Formatted FAQ markup is loosely based off of the WikiMedia Markup format, with customizations to better suit FAQ writing.

Basic Formatting
Single line breaks in formatted guides are ignored and considered to be spaces. A double line-break denotes a paragraph. More than two line breaks in a row are ignored, and will be considered a paragraph break. To make your text bold, use two apostrophes on either side of the text you want bolded. For italics, use three apostrophes. For bold and italic text, use five apostrophes.
Your Text:Is Displayed As:
Hello
world

How 
are
you
doing?

Hello world

How are you doing?

This is a ''bold'' move
This is a bold move
Missed it by '''that''' much
Missed it by that much
People say I '''''overemphasize''''' some words
People say I overemphasize some words
Sections, Headers, Boxes, and Links

Headers denote the beginning of the Sections of your guide. The first and second level Sections are automatically included in your Table of Contents, so they should only be used to denote important areas. To begin a new section, surround its title with two or more equals signs.

A Box is a section that is highlighted with a background color, using an equals sign and two dashes to denote its start. You can create a box without a title by starting it with =-----=. A box can be ended by either starting a new section, or using the ending notation =-=.

You can link to any section within your guide by enclosing the section header title in double square brackets. If you have multiple sections in your guide with the same title, then the link will be made to the highest level, then the first, section with that title.

If you want to have a regular divider without starting a brand new section, place a % as the only character on the line.

Your Text:Is Displayed As:
==Section Header==

Section Header

===Sub-Section Header===

Sub-Section Header

====Sub-Sub-Section Header====

Sub-Sub-Section Header

=====Sub-Sub-Sub-Section Header=====
Sub-Sub-Sub-Section Header
=--Boxed Section--=
This text is in the box.
=-=
This text is not in the box.
Boxed Section

This text is in the box.

This text is not in the box.

=-----=
This box has no title.
=-=
This text is not in the box.

This box has no title.

This text is not in the box.

[[Section Header]]
Section Header
=S=
Spoiler text goes here!
=-=
But not here.
SPOILER! Highlight to View

Spoiler text goes here!

But not here.

Text above a horizontal line
%
Text below it
Text above a horizontal line
Text below it
Lists

One asterisk (*) as the first character of each line denotes an unordered list. Multiple asterisks in a row (**) within a list denote sublists. Ordered lists are denoted with the number sign, #. Intended lists are denoted with the colon, :.

Your Text:Is Displayed As:
*Item 1
*Item 2
**Item 2.1
**Item 2.2
*Item 3
  • Item 1
  • Item 2
    • Item 2.1
    • Item 2.2
  • Item 3
#Item 1
#Item 2
##Item 2.1
##Item 2.2
#Item 3
  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
    1. Item 2.1
    2. Item 2.2
  3. Item 3
: Item 1
: Item 2
:: Item 2.1
:: Item 2.2
: Item 3
Item 1
Item 2
Item 2.1
Item 2.2
Item 3
Tables

To create a table, begin a new line with a vertical line character. Table headers are delineated with an asterisk immediately following the line. Spacing is ignored, so you may format the table in text to make it more readable while editing. Trailing markup with no data is also ignored.

You can make multi-column table cells by using a + sign followed by the number of columns, or multi-row cells with the - sign (9 is the maximum).

You can set the text alignment in individual cells by adding l, c, or r immediately after the |. You can also make multi-column or multi-row cells by adding that markup after the text alignment letter. If no text alignment is specified, it defaults to left as the standard.

|*This   |*is   |*the     |*table     |*header   |
| This   | is   | a       | table     | row      |
| This   | is   | another | table     | row      |
| This   | is   |c+2 a centered table | row      |
Thisisthetableheader
Thisisatablerow
Thisisanothertablerow
Thisisa centered tablerow
Pre-Formatted Text, Comments, and Escaping

Pre-formatted text is text that is displayed in a fixed-width font. Use a plus sign at the start of a new line to begin a line of pre-formatted text.

To include comments in a file, which will not be displayed within HTML, begin a line with a semi-colon.

To escape (ignore) any formatting text, use a double-backslash.

Your Text:Is Displayed As:
+Preformatted
+  text
Preformatted
  text
;You can't see this
 
\\;You can see this
;You can see this

How do I submit a Formatted FAQ?

You can submit a Formatted FAQ the exact same way you would submit a regular text FAQ, using the form at Contributor Central. You don't need to do anything else to submit a Formatted FAQ, as long as it has the proper header line, it will be recognized and handled as such.

How do I preview my Formatted FAQ?

You can use the Test FAQ Preview form at http://www.gamefaqs.com/contribute/test_file.php to preview a file without submitting it.

How can I add images to my Formatted FAQ?


This is how a small image is displayed.
Formatted FAQ images are perfect for including maps, charts, and other graphics in your FAQ. Images should be used to convey information that is difficult or impossible to put into text. Images can be used for:
  • Maps
  • Annotated or Illustrative Screenshots (those that point out a particular item or feature in the game, not just random pictures from the game)
  • Charts (with colors/graphics that can't be easily duplicated in text
You should not use images in a Formatted FAQ for anything non-essential to the guide, such as:
  • Title Graphics
  • Random Screenshots
  • Character Artwork
To add an image, create a line with:
  1. a carat (^)
  2. a lowercase "s" or "l" to denote a large or small image
  3. optional: a lowercase "l" or "r" to denote left or right alignment (small images only; large images can only be aligned left, even if you try to specify otherwise)
  4. an image ID (an integer from 1 to 100)
  5. a vertical line (|) to separate the image ID from the caption, and
  6. a caption for the image.
Small images work best for screenshots or small diagrams - they're included to the right of the current text, and are intended to be viewed inline. Large images work best for maps or large diagrams - they break up the current text.

This is how a large image is displayed.
For example:
^sl1|This is image number 1.
Will create a small image with an ID of 1 - left justified, inline with text, with a maximum size of 300 pixels wide by 200 pixels high.
^l2|This is image number 2.
Will create a large image with an ID of 2 - left justified, separated from text, with a maximum size of 750 pixels wide by 500 pixels high.

Images must be JPG, BMP, PNG, or GIF. JPGs will remain in JPG format, while BMPs and GIFs will automatically be converted to PNG. Images will not appear in your preview, and must be uploaded separately. You will be given a link after submission for uploading images, and you can re-visit the image manager from the Contribution Status page for your submission.

What can't I have in a Formatted FAQ?

Formatted FAQs must be written in Latin text - Japanese/Chinese characters are not interpreted properly at this time. If you want to submit a guide containing those languages, you must still use the old text format.

Do I have to submit new FAQs in this new format?

No. GameFAQs will still be accepting and posting plain text FAQs for the foreseeable future. The new Formatted FAQs are completely optional, and it is up to each individual contributor whether or not they want to use it.

Can I update my existing FAQs in this new format?

Yes, just submit your FAQ as a normal update - as long as it has the required Formatted FAQ markup, it will be automatically processed.

Can I submit both a plain text FAQ and a Formatted FAQ for a single game?

No. A Formatted FAQ is a replacement for your plain text FAQ. We will accept either a plain text FAQ or a Formatted FAQ for a game, but not both.

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