Help:Disambiguation - Revision history

M Sipher at 20:50, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T20:50:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:50, 13 February 2026
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	==Disambiguation suffixes==		==Disambiguation suffixes==

	When deciding what to put in parentheses to disambiguate an article title, the first choice should always be the entity's franchise of origin, except for ''[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)\|Transformers Timelines]]'', in which case the first choice is their "home" franchise-of-origin, as identified in the fiction or toys. Multiple-word franchises may use abbreviations while single-word franchises should be written out (as in the Wiki's official [[Help:Franchise identifiers\|franchise identifiers list]]). Thus the original Ironhide would be [[Ironhide (G1)]] and the Unicron Trilogy Ironhide is [[Ironhide (Energon)]]. If a character/idea/object was introduced in one franchise, and then later fleshed out in another franchise with backstory set before the original introduction, we still use the earliest ''real-world depiction'' of the entity, not the earliest in-fiction depiction. In instances where the only difference between two names is capitalization or punctuation (e.g. "[[Energon Grid (episode)\|Energon Grid]]" the ''Energon'' episode vs. "[[Energon grid]]" the technology featured in said episode), further disambiguation is recommended.		When deciding what to put in parentheses to disambiguate an article title, the first choice should always be the entity's franchise of origin, except for ''[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)\|Transformers Timelines]]'', in which case the first choice is their "home" franchise-of-origin, as identified in the fiction or toys. Multiple-word franchises may use abbreviations while single-word franchises should be written out (as in the Wiki's official [[Help:Franchise identifiers\|franchise identifiers list]]). Thus the original Ironhide would be [[Ironhide (G1)]] and the Unicron Trilogy Ironhide is [[Ironhide (Energon)]]. If a character/idea/object was introduced in one franchise, and then later fleshed out in another franchise with backstory set before the original introduction, we still use the earliest ''real-world depiction'' of the entity, not the earliest in-fiction depiction. In instances where the only difference between two names is capitalization or punctuation (e.g. "[[Energon Grid (episode)\|Energon Grid]]" the ''Energon'' episode vs. "[[Energon grid (technology)\|Energon grid]]" the technology featured in said episode), further disambiguation is recommended.

	In those rare instances where a franchise name is not sufficient for disambiguation, there is no single best alternative system. Simply make the qualifier as brief and clear as possible. For characters, a faction or subgroup name will usually do the trick if the franchise alone will not; for example, since there are two different characters named "Sky High" within Generation 1, they would be marked "[[Sky High (Pretender)]]" and "[[Sky High (Micromaster)]]". In some cases clarity might be improved by including the franchise along with the faction or subgroup.		In those rare instances where a franchise name is not sufficient for disambiguation, there is no single best alternative system. Simply make the qualifier as brief and clear as possible. For characters, a faction or subgroup name will usually do the trick if the franchise alone will not; for example, since there are two different characters named "Sky High" within Generation 1, they would be marked "[[Sky High (Pretender)]]" and "[[Sky High (Micromaster)]]". In some cases clarity might be improved by including the franchise along with the faction or subgroup.

Cyberlink420: Protected "Help:Disambiguation" (‎[edit=sysop] (indefinite) ‎[move=sysop] (indefinite))

2024-01-19T23:29:41Z

Protected "Help:Disambiguation" (‎[edit=sysop] (indefinite) ‎[move=sysop] (indefinite))

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:29, 19 January 2024
(No difference)

GuiRitter: fixed formatting

2023-12-07T11:57:27Z

fixed formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:57, 7 December 2023
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	*If there are going to be multiple articles, they should each have a parenthetical qualifier in their titles.		*If there are going to be multiple articles, they should each have a parenthetical qualifier in their titles.
	*If there are only two such articles, do not create a disambiguation page.Instead, have the main page redirect to one of the articles.		*If there are only two such articles, do not create a disambiguation page. Instead, have the main page redirect to one of the articles.
	**Place [[Template:Disambig2]] at the top of both articles.		**Place [[Template:Disambig2]] at the top of both articles.
	*If there are more than two articles, a disambiguation page must be created.		*If there are more than two articles, a disambiguation page must be created.

Cyberlink420: Getting these down in writing.

2019-09-30T14:16:21Z

Getting these down in writing.

Khajidha: /* Disambiguation suffixes */ changing this, kind of an "ignore all rules" situation

2019-09-13T15:10:25Z

Disambiguation suffixes: changing this, kind of an "ignore all rules" situation

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:10, 13 September 2019
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	When deciding what to put in parantheses to disambiguate an article title, the first choice should always be the entity's franchise of origin, except for ''[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)\|Transformers Timelines]]'', in which case the first choice is their "home" franchise-of-origin, as identified in the fiction or toys. Multiple-word franchises may use abbreviations while single-word franchises should be written out (as in the Wiki's official [[Help:Franchise identifiers\|franchise identifiers list]]). Thus the original Ironhide would be [[Ironhide (G1)]] and the Unicron Trilogy Ironhide is [[Ironhide (Energon)]]. If a character/idea/object was introduced in one franchise, and then later fleshed out in another franchise with backstory set before the original introduction, we still use the earliest ''real-world depiction'' of the entity, not the earliest in-fiction depiction.		When deciding what to put in parantheses to disambiguate an article title, the first choice should always be the entity's franchise of origin, except for ''[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)\|Transformers Timelines]]'', in which case the first choice is their "home" franchise-of-origin, as identified in the fiction or toys. Multiple-word franchises may use abbreviations while single-word franchises should be written out (as in the Wiki's official [[Help:Franchise identifiers\|franchise identifiers list]]). Thus the original Ironhide would be [[Ironhide (G1)]] and the Unicron Trilogy Ironhide is [[Ironhide (Energon)]]. If a character/idea/object was introduced in one franchise, and then later fleshed out in another franchise with backstory set before the original introduction, we still use the earliest ''real-world depiction'' of the entity, not the earliest in-fiction depiction.

	In those rare instances where a franchise name is not sufficient for disambiguation, there is no single best alternative system. Simply make the qualifier as brief and clear as possible. For characters, a faction or subgroup name will usually do the trick if the franchise alone will not; for example, since there are two different characters named "Sky High" within Generation 1, they would be marked "[[Sky High (Pretender)]]" and "[[Sky High (Micromaster)]]". In some cases clarity might be improved by including the franchise along with the faction or subgroup. As another example, the name "Paddles" refers to both a character and a story from the G1 continuity family. Using "G1" as a parenthetical here will not be helpful; however, [[Paddles (character)]] and [[Paddles (story)]] are both short and to the point.		In those rare instances where a franchise name is not sufficient for disambiguation, there is no single best alternative system. Simply make the qualifier as brief and clear as possible. For characters, a faction or subgroup name will usually do the trick if the franchise alone will not; for example, since there are two different characters named "Sky High" within Generation 1, they would be marked "[[Sky High (Pretender)]]" and "[[Sky High (Micromaster)]]". In some cases clarity might be improved by including the franchise along with the faction or subgroup.

	Characters with multiple names (as in the case of alter-egos) should have redirect pages at all names and their article under their most prominent name (hence [[Circuit Breaker (G1)\|Circuit Breaker]] instead of Josie Beller but [[Donny Finkleberg]] instead of Robot Master). Humans should be listed with their full name if possible (except in the case of prominent alter egos) with redirects from nicknames.		Characters with multiple names (as in the case of alter-egos) should have redirect pages at all names and their article under their most prominent name (hence [[Circuit Breaker (G1)\|Circuit Breaker]] instead of Josie Beller but [[Donny Finkleberg]] instead of Robot Master). Humans should be listed with their full name if possible (except in the case of prominent alter egos) with redirects from nicknames.

Khajidha: Undo revision 1320618 by Doomdorm64 (talk)

2019-02-08T13:41:40Z

Undo revision 1320618 by Doomdorm64 (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:41, 8 February 2019
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	As a final piece of advice, always use your best judgement. If others disagree, it will merely mean somebody moves the page later.		As a final piece of advice, always use your best judgement. If others disagree, it will merely mean somebody moves the page later.

	~~==Major characters==~~
	~~Some characters stand out more than others; there is a gallery showing these characters. However ''Shattered Glass'' Megatron is not a major character; but ''Animated'' Megatron is.~~

	==Some final thoughts==		==Some final thoughts==

Doomdorm64: /* Some final thoughts */

2019-02-08T07:36:13Z

Some final thoughts

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:36, 8 February 2019
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	As a final piece of advice, always use your best judgement. If others disagree, it will merely mean somebody moves the page later.		As a final piece of advice, always use your best judgement. If others disagree, it will merely mean somebody moves the page later.

			==Major characters==
			Some characters stand out more than others; there is a gallery showing these characters. However ''Shattered Glass'' Megatron is not a major character; but ''Animated'' Megatron is.

	==Some final thoughts==		==Some final thoughts==

Khajidha: /* Disambiguation methods */ I think we've pretty much stopped doing this

2018-12-16T16:00:55Z

Disambiguation methods: I think we've pretty much stopped doing this

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:00, 16 December 2018
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	**If an article has multiple terms it is disambiguated on, and there are several disambiguation3 templates at the top, consider using [[Template:Disambigm]].		**If an article has multiple terms it is disambiguated on, and there are several disambiguation3 templates at the top, consider using [[Template:Disambigm]].
	**When in doubt, redirect to the disambiguation page.		**When in doubt, redirect to the disambiguation page.

	~~Note that if none of the meanings of the term require long definitions, they can simply all be listed in the same article.~~

	==Disambiguation pages==		==Disambiguation pages==

Abates: /* Disambiguation methods */

2016-10-28T19:33:36Z

Disambiguation methods

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 28 October 2016
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	**If none of the terms are significantly more prominent than the others, the main page should redirect to a disambiguation page.		**If none of the terms are significantly more prominent than the others, the main page should redirect to a disambiguation page.
	**If an article has another same-titled article that is related enough to merit specific mention ''and'' there are also three or more uses for the term in general, put [[Template:Disambig3.5]] at the top of the article.		**If an article has another same-titled article that is related enough to merit specific mention ''and'' there are also three or more uses for the term in general, put [[Template:Disambig3.5]] at the top of the article.
			**If an article has multiple terms it is disambiguated on, and there are several disambiguation3 templates at the top, consider using [[Template:Disambigm]].
	**When in doubt, redirect to the disambiguation page.		**When in doubt, redirect to the disambiguation page.

Abates: /* Disambiguation suffixes */

2014-02-23T07:58:19Z

Disambiguation suffixes

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:58, 23 February 2014
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	In those rare instances where a franchise name is not sufficient for disambiguation, there is no single best alternative system. Simply make the qualifier as brief and clear as possible. For characters, a faction or subgroup name will usually do the trick if the franchise alone will not; for example, since there are two different characters named "Sky High" within Generation 1, they would be marked "[[Sky High (Pretender)]]" and "[[Sky High (Micromaster)]]". In some cases clarity might be improved by including the franchise along with the faction or subgroup. As another example, the name "Paddles" refers to both a character and a story from the G1 continuity family. Using "G1" as a parenthetical here will not be helpful; however, [[Paddles (character)]] and [[Paddles (story)]] are both short and to the point.		In those rare instances where a franchise name is not sufficient for disambiguation, there is no single best alternative system. Simply make the qualifier as brief and clear as possible. For characters, a faction or subgroup name will usually do the trick if the franchise alone will not; for example, since there are two different characters named "Sky High" within Generation 1, they would be marked "[[Sky High (Pretender)]]" and "[[Sky High (Micromaster)]]". In some cases clarity might be improved by including the franchise along with the faction or subgroup. As another example, the name "Paddles" refers to both a character and a story from the G1 continuity family. Using "G1" as a parenthetical here will not be helpful; however, [[Paddles (character)]] and [[Paddles (story)]] are both short and to the point.

	Characters with multiple names (as in the case of alter-egos) should have redirect pages at all names and their article under their most prominent name (hence [[Circuit Breaker]] instead of Josie Beller but [[Donny Finkleberg]] instead of Robot Master). Humans should be listed with their full name if possible (except in the case of prominent alter egos) with redirects from nicknames.		Characters with multiple names (as in the case of alter-egos) should have redirect pages at all names and their article under their most prominent name (hence [[Circuit Breaker (G1)\|Circuit Breaker]] instead of Josie Beller but [[Donny Finkleberg]] instead of Robot Master). Humans should be listed with their full name if possible (except in the case of prominent alter egos) with redirects from nicknames.

	Add disambiguation templates to pages only for English names. If a disambiguation link is placed for every single name use from across all languages, scrolling would be required to reach the content of several characters' pages. For example, [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|''Armada'']] [[Red Alert (Armada)\|Red Alert]] was also called [[Ratchet (disambiguation)\|Ratchet]] and [[First Aid (disambiguation)\|First Aid]] in Japan, both of which are also the names of other Transformers. That would be three disambiguation tags stacked on top of each other. For the sake of keeping our articles as clutter-free as possible, only English names are disambiguated.		Add disambiguation templates to pages only for English names. If a disambiguation link is placed for every single name use from across all languages, scrolling would be required to reach the content of several characters' pages. For example, [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|''Armada'']] [[Red Alert (Armada)\|Red Alert]] was also called [[Ratchet (disambiguation)\|Ratchet]] and [[First Aid (disambiguation)\|First Aid]] in Japan, both of which are also the names of other Transformers. That would be three disambiguation tags stacked on top of each other. For the sake of keeping our articles as clutter-free as possible, only English names are disambiguated.

	Transformers fiction has often crossed over with other fictional universes ("external properties"). Characters and concepts from these other fictions that need disambiguation should use tags that refer to their home property, not to the Transformers franchise with which they have interacted. As a concrete example, the [[G.I. Joe]] character [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)\|Roadblock]] is not disambiguated as Roadblock (G1) despite having first appeared in Transformers fiction of the G1 franchise. That disambiguation is thus available for use on an actual [[Roadblock (G1)\|Transformers character]].		Transformers fiction has often crossed over with other fictional universes ("external properties"). Characters and concepts from these other fictions that need disambiguation should use tags that refer to their home property, not to the Transformers franchise with which they have interacted. As a concrete example, the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)\|G.I. Joe]]'' character [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)\|Roadblock]] is not disambiguated as Roadblock (G1) despite having first appeared in Transformers fiction of the G1 franchise. That disambiguation is thus available for use on an actual [[Roadblock (G1)\|Transformers character]].

	As a final piece of advice, always use your best judgement. If others disagree, it will merely mean somebody moves the page later.		As a final piece of advice, always use your best judgement. If others disagree, it will merely mean somebody moves the page later.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:16, 30 September 2019
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	In many cases, more than one article "should" have the same name. Such articles require disambiguation. This article describes our scheme for doing so.		In many cases, more than one article "should" have the same name. Such articles require disambiguation. This article describes our scheme for doing so.

	==Disambiguation methods==		==Disambiguation methods==
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	*If there are going to be multiple articles, they should each have a parenthetical qualifier in their titles.		*If there are going to be multiple articles, they should each have a parenthetical qualifier in their titles.
	*If there are only two such articles, do not create a disambiguation page. Instead, have the main page redirect to one of the articles.		*If there are only two such articles, do not create a disambiguation page.Instead, have the main page redirect to one of the articles.
	**Place [[Template:Disambig2]] at the top of both articles.		**Place [[Template:Disambig2]] at the top of both articles.
	*If there are more than two articles, a disambiguation page must be created.		*If there are more than two articles, a disambiguation page must be created.
Line 17:		Line 17:
	==Disambiguation pages==		==Disambiguation pages==

	The titles of all disambiguation pages should end with "(disambiguation)". All disambiguation pages should end with the [[Template:Disambig]] template which places an explanatory box in the article and adds it to the disambiguation page category.		The titles of all disambiguation pages should end with "(disambiguation)". All disambiguation pages should end with the [[Template:Disambig]] template which places an explanatory box in the article and adds it to the disambiguation page category.

	When listing items on a disambiguation page, we generally list them in the order of their first appearance. Hence, G1 incarnations come first, followed by late Japan-exclusive G1, G2, BW, and so forth.		When listing items on a disambiguation page, we generally list them in the order of their first appearance. Hence, G1 incarnations come first, followed by late Japan-exclusive G1, G2, BW, and so forth. Incarnations of characters that have prominently appeared in mainstream Transformers fiction, such as cartoons, comics or films, should be listed as "Major" versions of that character and grouped together in a thumbnail gallery above the other entries.


	==Disambiguation suffixes==		==Disambiguation suffixes==

	When deciding what to put in ~~parantheses~~ to disambiguate an article title, the first choice should always be the entity's franchise of origin, except for ''[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)\|Transformers Timelines]]'', in which case the first choice is their "home" franchise-of-origin, as identified in the fiction or toys. Multiple-word franchises may use abbreviations while single-word franchises should be written out (as in the Wiki's official [[Help:Franchise identifiers\|franchise identifiers list]]). Thus the original Ironhide would be [[Ironhide (G1)]] and the Unicron Trilogy Ironhide is [[Ironhide (Energon)]]. If a character/idea/object was introduced in one franchise, and then later fleshed out in another franchise with backstory set before the original introduction, we still use the earliest ''real-world depiction'' of the entity, not the earliest in-fiction depiction.		When deciding what to put in parentheses to disambiguate an article title, the first choice should always be the entity's franchise of origin, except for ''[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)\|Transformers Timelines]]'', in which case the first choice is their "home" franchise-of-origin, as identified in the fiction or toys. Multiple-word franchises may use abbreviations while single-word franchises should be written out (as in the Wiki's official [[Help:Franchise identifiers\|franchise identifiers list]]). Thus the original Ironhide would be [[Ironhide (G1)]] and the Unicron Trilogy Ironhide is [[Ironhide (Energon)]]. If a character/idea/object was introduced in one franchise, and then later fleshed out in another franchise with backstory set before the original introduction, we still use the earliest ''real-world depiction'' of the entity, not the earliest in-fiction depiction. In instances where the only difference between two names is capitalization or punctuation (e.g. "[[Energon Grid (episode)\|Energon Grid]]" the ''Energon'' episode vs. "[[Energon grid]]" the technology featured in said episode), further disambiguation is recommended.

	In those rare instances where a franchise name is not sufficient for disambiguation, there is no single best alternative system. Simply make the qualifier as brief and clear as possible. For characters, a faction or subgroup name will usually do the trick if the franchise alone will not; for example, since there are two different characters named "Sky High" within Generation 1, they would be marked "[[Sky High (Pretender)]]" and "[[Sky High (Micromaster)]]". In some cases clarity might be improved by including the franchise along with the faction or subgroup.		In those rare instances where a franchise name is not sufficient for disambiguation, there is no single best alternative system. Simply make the qualifier as brief and clear as possible. For characters, a faction or subgroup name will usually do the trick if the franchise alone will not; for example, since there are two different characters named "Sky High" within Generation 1, they would be marked "[[Sky High (Pretender)]]" and "[[Sky High (Micromaster)]]". In some cases clarity might be improved by including the franchise along with the faction or subgroup.

	Characters with multiple names (as in the case of alter-egos) should have redirect pages at all names and their article under their most prominent name (hence [[Circuit Breaker (G1)\|Circuit Breaker]] instead of Josie Beller but [[Donny Finkleberg]] instead of Robot Master). Humans should be listed with their full name if possible (except in the case of prominent alter egos) with redirects from nicknames.		Characters with multiple names (as in the case of alter-egos) should have redirect pages at all names and their article under their most prominent name (hence [[Circuit Breaker (G1)\|Circuit Breaker]] instead of Josie Beller but [[Donny Finkleberg]] instead of Robot Master). Humans should be listed with their full name if possible (except in the case of prominent alter egos) with redirects from nicknames.

	Add disambiguation templates to pages only for English names. If a disambiguation link is placed for every single name use from across all languages, scrolling would be required to reach the content of several characters' pages. For example, [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|''Armada'']] [[Red Alert (Armada)\|Red Alert]] was also called [[Ratchet (disambiguation)\|Ratchet]] and [[First Aid (disambiguation)\|First Aid]] in Japan, both of which are also the names of other Transformers. That would be three disambiguation tags stacked on top of each other. For the sake of keeping our articles as clutter-free as possible, only English names are disambiguated.		Add disambiguation templates to pages only for English names. If a disambiguation link is placed for every single name use from across all languages, scrolling would be required to reach the content of several characters' pages. For example, [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|''Armada'']] [[Red Alert (Armada)\|Red Alert]] was also called [[Ratchet (disambiguation)\|Ratchet]] and [[First Aid (disambiguation)\|First Aid]] in Japan, both of which are also the names of other Transformers. That would be three disambiguation tags stacked on top of each other. For the sake of keeping our articles as clutter-free as possible, only English names are disambiguated.

	Transformers fiction has often crossed over with other fictional universes ("external properties"). Characters and concepts from these other fictions that need disambiguation should use tags that refer to their home property, not to the Transformers franchise with which they have interacted. As a concrete example, the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)\|G.I. Joe]]'' character [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)\|Roadblock]] is not disambiguated as Roadblock (G1) despite having first appeared in Transformers fiction of the G1 franchise. That disambiguation is thus available for use on an actual [[Roadblock (G1)\|Transformers character]].		Transformers fiction has often crossed over with other fictional universes ("external properties"). Characters and concepts from these other fictions that need disambiguation should use tags that refer to their home property, not to the Transformers franchise with which they have interacted. As a concrete example, the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)\|G.I. Joe]]'' character [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)\|Roadblock]] is not disambiguated as Roadblock (G1) despite having first appeared in Transformers fiction of the G1 franchise. That disambiguation is thus available for use on an actual [[Roadblock (G1)\|Transformers character]].

	As a final piece of advice, always use your best ~~judgement~~. If others disagree, it will merely mean somebody moves the page later.		As a final piece of advice, always use your best judgment. If others disagree, it will merely mean somebody moves the page later.

	==Some final thoughts==		==Some final thoughts==
	Disambiguations will never be 100% consistent. Please bear in mind these wise words:		Disambiguations will never be 100% consistent. Please bear in mind these wise words:
	* 19:44, 31 May 2009 [[User:Rosicrucian\|Rosicrucian]] <small>([[User talk:Rosicrucian\|Talk]] \| [[Special:Contributions/Rosicrucian\|contribs]])</small> "[[Combatron (planet)\|Combatron (Cybertron)]]" moved to "[[Combatron (planet)]]" ‎ (''Disambiguating a planet with a parenthetical that happens to be the name of '''another''' planet is bad juju.'') <small>(revert)</small>		* 19:44, 31 May 2009 [[User:Rosicrucian\|Rosicrucian]] <small>([[User talk:Rosicrucian\|Talk]] \| [[Special:Contributions/Rosicrucian\|contribs]])</small> "[[Combatron (planet)\|Combatron (Cybertron)]]" moved to "[[Combatron (planet)]]" ‎ (''Disambiguating a planet with a parenthetical that happens to be the name of '''another''' planet is bad juju.'') <small>(revert)</small>