Template:Retrieved/sandbox

Retrieved 2025-01-05.

Template documentation

This template implements Citation Style 1 template-like behavior regarding online-retrieval information ("Retrieved ..."), mainly as applied in {{Cite web}}. It may be used with citation and external link templates that do not provide retrieval information, such as

Template:IMDb title

Template:Plain link

Template:Rotten Tomatoes

Template:URL

and others; it may also be used to complement shortened footnote-producing templates such as {{harvnb}} and similar (see below). Other types of allowable external links may benefit from use of the template, when such use is appropriate. Please see § Exceptions for recommended exceptions. This template and its documentation make use of Citation Style 1 guidelines, with variations.

Example:

A [[Brad Pitt]] statement.<ref>{{IMDb name|id=0000093|name=Brad Pitt}}. {{Retrieved/sandbox|access-date=2025-01-05}}</ref>

===References===

{{reflist}}

Generates:

A Brad Pitt statement.

References

Usage

Full parameter set in horizontal format

{{Retrieved/sandbox |link-access= |prepend= |format= |access-date= |via= |note= |mode= |postscript=}}

Syntax and presentation

For basic usage the template requires only the date the source was retrieved (|access-date=). Insert this template right after the prerequisite link-providing template or when appropriate, after any other allowable external link. Ideally, this template's display should immediately follow the external link, allowing for preceding white space as needed (note the editable default for the static text "Retrieved" is to appear capitalized). Copy a blank version to use. All parameter names must be in lowercase. Use the "|" (pipe) character between each parameter. Delete unused parameters. Template elements are separated by white space and, depending on parameters used, additional, non-wrapping punctuation such as dashes and periods (or optionally, commas). The template displays a period as the (editable) default terminal punctuation. See § Parameters for important details.

Exceptions

This template may not be used when retrieval information is inapplicable, superfluous, or not recommended, such as in External links or Further reading sections, or with templates such as {{Official website}}. In general, do not use with stable or static external links e.g. links to online archives or repositories (however, it may be used when accessing archive snapshots). Please see WP:EL. The template is intended for sources accessible through live, legitimate external links; remove it when the link is inaccessible or unfit for any reason. See also WP:LR.

Examples

Some examples may include the current date. If the date is not current, please the page.

Basic usage (ISO date) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |access-date=2025-01-05}}

Retrieved 2025-01-05.

Basic usage (MDY) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |access-date=January 5, 2025}}

Retrieved January 5, 2025.

Access information (registration) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |link-access=registration |access-date=2025-01-05}}

. Retrieved 2025-01-05.

Access information (subscription) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |link-access=subscription |access-date=2025-01-05}}

. Retrieved 2025-01-05.

Source comment (version info) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |prepend=Revised |access-date=2025-01-05}}

Revised. Retrieved 2025-01-05.

Source format (image) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |format=[[JPEG]] |access-date=2025-01-05}}

(JPEG)⁠. Retrieved 2025-01-05.

Link comment [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |access-date=2025-01-05 |note=brief link note}}

Retrieved 2025-01-05 (brief link note).

Online provider information [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |access-date=2025-01-05 |via=Online Publisher}}

Retrieved 2025-01-05 – via Online Publisher.

Presentation mode (Citation Style 2) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |link-access=subscription |access-date=2025-01-05 |mode=cs2}}

, retrieved 2025-01-05

Custom terminal punctuation (semicolon) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |access-date=2025-01-05 |postscript=;}}

Retrieved 2025-01-05⁠;

No terminal punctuation [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |access-date=2025-01-05 |postscript=none}}

Retrieved 2025-01-05

All parameters except |mode= [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |link-access=limited |prepend=(draft) |format=[[DWG]] |access-date=2025-01-05 |via=Online Publisher |note=brief link note |postscript=;}}

(draft) (DWG)⁠. Retrieved 2025-01-05 – via Online Publisher (brief link note)⁠;

All parameters except |postscript= (Citation style 2) [info]

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |link-access=limited |prepend=(draft) |format=[[DWG]] |access-date=2025-01-05 |via=Online Publisher |note=brief link note |mode=cs2}}

(draft) (DWG)⁠, retrieved 2025-01-05 – via Online Publisher (brief link note)

Parameters

General notes

Depending on parameter usage, the template may display default presentation and formatting elements including static text, leading or trailing white space, and other punctuation.

Parameters should provide retrieval information specific to the accessed version of the source. Do not add a parameter if identical information as the one applying to the accessed version is provided in the source's link template, full citation, or other reference data. However parameter link-access should always be included with the relevant option, wherever applicable, as it directly affects access and attendant user decisions.

Required

The only required parameter is access-date or its alias accessdate.

Description

Access date

• access-date: This parameter (or its alias accessdate) is required – its omission will produce an error message. For basic template usage, insert only this parameter. Enter the full date the source was accessed. Do not wikilink. Not checked for date-formatting errors. May be any one of Wikipedia's acceptable date formats, but please follow the format established in the article’s citations and/or references. Otherwise, please see MOS:DATEUNIFY and Help:Citation Style 1 [examples]

Access information

See also: Template:Cite web § Subscription or registration required

• link-access: If the online source has access requirements or restrictions, include this parameter to add an indicative link icon (includes tooltip). Ideally it should display immediately after the external link, preceded by a user-entered or pre-existing non-breaking space (positioned before the template code). This parameter displays before the static text "Retrieved" [examples].
  • |link-access=registration. Free registration is required. Displays a gray lock icon.
  • |link-access=limited. Free access is limited e.g. based on number of views, is time-limited, or is partially free. Displays the same gray lock icon as registration, but with different tooltip text.
  • |link-access=subscription. Paid subscription is required (WP:PAYWALL). Displays a red lock icon. When set, the article will be added to Category:Pages containing links to subscription-only content.

Source comment, link comment

• prepend: Use for additional citable information specific to the accessed version, and only if necessary for clarity. This parameter displays before the static text "Retrieved" [example].

• note: Use to add a brief relevant comment specific to the accessed link, such as embargo information etc. Displays (in parentheses) after the access date or parameter via [example].

Additional information: document format, online provider

See also: Help:Citation Style 1 § External links and Template:Cite web § Publisher

• format: Use only when the accessed version has special format requirements or is in a different format from the original. Displays within parentheses. May be wikilinked. This parameter displays before the static text "Retrieved" [example].

• via: Use to cite the online provider specific to the source’s accessed version if said provider is different from the original provider or publisher. May be wikilinked. Includes the leading static text "via" preceded by a spaced en dash and followed by a space. Displays after the access date [example].

Display options: presentation mode, terminal punctuation

See also: Template:Cite web § Display options

• mode: Use to change the default Citation Style 1 template presentation mode affecting element separators, terminal punctuation, and certain capitalization. To override default terminal punctuation regardless of mode use postscript [example], [more examples].
  • |mode=cs2. Insert to switch to Citation Style 2 mode (separator may include white space, a non-wrapping comma ( , ) or a dash, terminal punctuation is omitted, and the static text "retrieved" is in lowercase)
  • |mode=cs1. Enter to switch back to the default Citation Style 1 mode (separating punctuation may include white space, a non-wrapping period ( . ) or a dash, terminal punctuation is a non-wrapping period, and the static text "Retrieved" is capitalized)

• postscript: Use to replace the presentation-mode default terminal punctuation. To remove terminal punctuation altogether, insert |postscript=none [examples].

With short citations

Short citations (WP:SFN) may include external links as in-source locations and be subject to the same retrieval information requirements that apply to full citations. A full citation's retrieval information may not apply to specific in-source locations; an external link's state and content may vary depending on access date, or specific link locations may have different access requirements. This template may be used to complement select short citation-producing templates, e.g. {{harvnb}}. See Template:Harvnb § Adding a URL for the page or location.

Example:

A wikitext statement.<ref>{{harvnb|AuthorLast|2025|pp=[https://www.example.com 23–24]}}{{nbsp}}{{Retrieved/sandbox |link-access=subscription |access-date=2025-01-05}}</ref>

===Notes===
{{reflist}}


===References===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal |author-last=AuthorLast |date=January 2025 |title=ArticleTitle |journal=JournalName |issue=5 |pages=21–35 |url=https://example.com |url-access=limited |access-date=2025-01-05}}

{{refend}}

Generates:

A wikitext statement.

Notes

References

• AuthorLast (January 2025). "ArticleTitle". JournalName (5): 21–35. Retrieved 2025-01-05.

Error messages

Required access date is missing

• {{Retrieved/sandbox |link-access=subscription |via=Online Publisher}}
  

! Template {{Retrieved}}: Parameter access-date is required !

See also

• Template:Dead link

TemplateData

This is the TemplateData for this template used by TemplateWizard, VisualEditor and other tools. See a monthly parameter usage report for Template:Retrieved in articles based on its TemplateData.

TemplateData for Retrieved

This template adds online-retrieval information ("Retrieved ...") to external link templates that do not provide such facility; for additional use cases see the template's documentation

Template parameters[Edit template data]

Parameter		Description	Type	Status
Access information	link-access	Recommended when the source has access restrictions; use one of 'registration', 'subscription' or 'limited' (without the single quote marks), displays before "Retrieved"	String	optional
Source comment	prepend	Use only when additional citable information specific to the accessed version is needed for clarity; displays before "Retrieved"	String	optional
Format	format	Use only if the accessed version is in different format than the original, or has specific format requirements; may be wikilinked, displays before "Retrieved"	String	optional
Access date	access-date accessdate	The full date the source was accessed; do not wikilink	Date	required
Online provider	via	Name of the accessed version's online provider if other than the publisher; may be wikilinked	String	optional
Link comment	note	When required for clarification, add a brief note specific to the accessed link	String	optional
Presentation mode	mode	Presentation mode affecting static text, parameter separators and terminal punctuation. Default is Citation Style 1 mode; use 'cs2' for Citation Style 2, or 'cs1' to switch back to default (ommit the single quote marks)	String	optional
Terminal punctuation	postscript	Insert desired value to replace presentation-mode default terminal punctuation; to remove terminal punctuation enter 'none' without the quote marks	String	optional

The above documentation is transcluded from Template:Retrieved/doc. (edit | history)
Editors can experiment in this template's sandbox (edit | diff) and testcases (edit) pages.
Subpages of this template.