Help:Reverting

On BattleTechWiki, reverting refers to undoing or nullifying the effects of one or more edits, often restoring a page (or part of it) to a previous version, either in exact wording or meaning. A partial reversion restores only a specific section of the page while leaving other edits intact, whereas a self-reversion involves undoing one's own edits. Reverting can be performed without using the undo tool, as any method that returns a page to a prior state qualifies as a reversion.

Reverting edits may be appropriate in some cases. However, reverting good-faith contributions can disrupt collaboration and may lead to the reverter being temporarily blocked from editing. The three-revert rule, outlined in the edit warring policy, limits the number of reverts (including partial ones) a user can perform on a single page within a short period.

Before reverting

Before reverting an edit, carefully consider its impact. Reverting removes not only the contribution in question but also potentially negates subsequent improvements. Reflect on the reasons for reverting: Is there an opportunity to enhance the edit rather than discard it? Could a partial reversion suffice instead of a full reversion?

Use the edit summary or the talk page to briefly explain why you are reverting an edit. For blatant vandalism or clearly unconstructive changes, minimal explanation suffices. However, in content disputes, a courteous, well-reasoned explanation helps avoid conflict.

Manual reverting

Reversions can be done manually by editing the page to remove incorrect text or restore deleted content. Alternatively, you can revert to a past version using the following steps:

1. Click the View history tab at the top of the page.
2. Select the desired previous version by clicking its time and date link.
   • For cases of vandalism, ensure you only revert the problematic edits, avoiding the removal of any constructive changes made afterward.
3. Click the Edit tab for that version. A warning will appear: "You are editing an old revision of this page. If you publish it, any changes made since then will be removed."
4. In the edit summary, explain your actions clearly (e.g., "Reverting vandalism").
5. Preview the changes, then click Publish changes.

If you’re logged out, log in or request a registered editor's assistance via the Talk page.

Undo

The "undo" feature allows editors to revert a specific edit while preserving later constructive edits. To use it: 1. Open the page history or view the diff of the edit. 2. Click "undo" beside the undesired edit. 3. Edit the default summary as needed, then save the change.

To undo consecutive edits, view the diff spanning the revisions to be undone, then click "undo." Note that this feature may not work for conflicting edits.

Rollback

BTW Staff have access to the "rollback" feature, which allows:

• Quick reversion of consecutive edits by the most recent editor.
• Automated edit summaries indicating reversion.

Rollback is faster than "undo" but less flexible. It should primarily be used for obvious vandalism. Misuse may lead to revocation of rollback rights.

Reverting images

To revert an image to a previous version:

1. Go to the image page and view the "File history."
2. Click "Revert" next to the desired version.

Reverting multiple non-contiguous edits

When reverting multiple edits, carefully preserve any constructive changes. If necessary, manually combine sections from various revisions, using the "Show changes" button to ensure accuracy.

See also

• BattleTechWiki:Three-revert rule (policy)
• BattleTechWiki:Vandalism – handling vandalism beyond visible edit histories
• m:Research:Revert – academic overview of reversion methods