Category talk:CS1 errors: format without URL

Suggested modification of linkage between format and url

I will sometimes use "format=paper" when I am taking from a paper source and, even if the source (e.g. periodical) is generally available online, the particular information gotten from the paper source is not available online, either due to being a part of the source which is not included in the online rendition or the source at one time having been online but now that an availability period has passed, is no longer. So, I would suggest that, yes, you maintain the hidden error message linking format with url, except in the case where the format parameter value is "(P/paper)". It would be useful to see how many cases where a format value is provided which is not an indicator of an online source; for instance, format=microfiche. --User:Ceyockey (talk to me) 00:08, 7 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Consider using |type= instead. |format= has been defined as the file format of the online source for a long time. Too many editors misuse it already. Adding one allowed exception just muddles the definition.

—Trappist the monk (talk) 00:20, 7 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the guidance. --User:Ceyockey (talk to me) 16:42, 7 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]