Template:Cite web/doc

Usage
For references with author credit

For references without author credit





 last last last2 editor-last editor-last editor2-last url url, archive-url url, archive-date archive-url

 required required

Choosing between Template:cite web and Template:cite news
Before 2014, editors had to decide whether to use cite web or cite news based on their features. In 2014, the differences between the two templates were eliminated.

As of, and  have the following differences: But given the same set of valid parameters, their output is exactly the same:
 * can be used for offline (paper) sources whereas generates a missing URL error when no URL is provided
 * accepts issue and volume parameters while does not (See ; see also cite magazine).

Using "format="
When this template detects a link whose URL includes an extension of ".pdf" or ".PDF", typical of PDF files, it automatically displays a PDF icon after the link (regardless of whether the link goes to a PDF file or to an HTML landing page, typical of paysites). It also internally acts as if PDF had been specified, which displays " (PDF)" after the icon. (In this case, an explicit PDF parameter would be redundant, so it is not recommended to add it. Users may remove it. Citation bot, when invoked, will remove it. (ref))

If the link is to a PDF file that is not automatically recognizable by its extension, this template does not display the PDF icon. You may add the parameter PDF, which displays " (PDF)" after the link (but no PDF icon).

For links to files in other formats, no icon is displayed. For example, for an .odt file, you may add the parameter ODT, which displays " (ODT)" after the link.

Using "archive-url" and "archive-date" (and optionally "url-status") for webpages that have been archived
By default, if "archive-url" is used, the parameter dead is assumed and the resulting main link is to the archived version:

When live is specified, the resulting main link is to the original page:

With unfit or usurped, the original is not linked at all:

Access-date
See.