Instructables

How to make a great Instructable

This is a community edited Instructable that goes over the process of making an Instructable. It covers appropriate subjects; the mechanics of adding text, images, and files; and the level of quality expected in an Instructable.

You can start your first Instructable by mousing over "Submit" on the top navigation and clicking "New Instructable." Or, you can just click here!

If you're new to the site, welcome! This guide will help you navigate through creating an Instructable.

 
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Step 1: Subject matter

Picture of Subject matter
The best instructables are written by people who are passionate about what they do and
want to share their knowledge. So, the best question to ask yourself about writing an Instructable is this: "Am I passionate, enthusiastic, and really excited about the project I am about to share."

Some good examples of Instructables written by passionate people:
3-D Scanner
Magnetic Acrylic Rubik's Cube
Dixie Cup Spherical Dodecahedron
Teddy Bear Remote Control
Dachshund wheelchair

We are also looking for people to write Instructables on some specific topics. Check out the Burning Questions if you are looking for something to write an Instructable about.

If you have a question, comment, idea, or request for collaborators, please post that in the forums. Instructables must include instruction.

Of course, there are some exceptions. If you did something that completely failed, and can teach others how not to repeat your error, that can make an excellent Instructable. Check How Not To for a good example of this.

Please do not make Instructables that violate our terms of service. Here is a brief, human-readable version of the TOS.

Instructables is rapidly evolving, growing, and becoming more and more exciting. Our vision for the project is captured in the about page, but I thought you might enjoy a more practical approach. So, here's a human readable terms of service (from here).

Please use Instructables to:

  • Document and show off how you built your projects.
Projects can be in any form -- half-finished (the documentation should be complete),
hot off your work bench, or fully debugged and ready to make a million units.
If there's instruction, if someone can learn from and improve upon your work, it's an Instructable.

  • Demonstrate how to do something.
This could include showing
how to change a car tire,
how to use a software product,
how to sail a boat.

  • Solicit feedback or help on projects.
Post useful comments and suggestions on other people's projects.
Work together with other users to improve on projects.
Post derivative projects that show your contribution or innovation to an existing Instructable.
We are working on tools to make this easier.

  • Market your project.
Did you make two widgets, but only need one?
Are you willing to cook your awesome recipe for others?
Are you the best at what you do and willing to share your service?
Let people know. We are working on tools to make this easier.

Please don't use Instructables to:

  • Advertise without any useful instruction.
    • Post projects that are inappropriate.
There's a "grayzone" that includes all the things you might think it includes: obscene projects, clearly unsafe projects with no warning or instruction, and projects that are previously copyrighted or rely solely on copyrighted or otherwise protected materials. If your project is in the grayzone, we may decide to un-publish or delete it.
  • Post comments that are mean-spirited or insulting.

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mikeasaurus says: 2 years ago
Here's an updated write-up on How to Write an Instructable (Oct,2011)
kvkkumar8 says: 8 days ago


Intro: IT IS ONLY A REQUEST .
Pranaam to all .......................
I am research scholar and a small painter . I need a old computer to complete my research work .
Please give an information that how to get free old computer to me .
Thank you ..............................
Krishna kumar K.V.( kvkkumar8@yahoo.com
Artgirl200 says: 3 months ago
How do I insert small additional images in an image? I couldnt find instructions for this. Thanks!
jeram_ular says: 4 months ago
thank you
coolananias101 says: 5 months ago
cool i love it
KyraMaimeo says: 8 months ago
Kinda sucks that we have to have pro to download a PDF
knex dude 2000 says: 9 months ago
KNEX IS EPIC TO MAKE!!!
stvenson_nathanael says: 11 months ago
some one shoud do a how to video on this
washingm says: 11 months ago
thank you.
xXCrazyEyesXx says: 1 year ago
I use google chrome and nothing is bad lol
teknohawk says: 1 year ago
ok. i have a breadboard kit. would it be alright iif i show my creations on it, even if i followed the kits instructions?
Tony1gunalan says: 1 year ago
Dear sir,

I am Tony1Gunalan. I just joined instructables.. I find it amazing, a big site and learning to go from one place to another. Sometimes I wonder what will happen if I click certain buttons. Ok Ilke to meet all the other members and get help from them. Right now I am into laser drivers build with smd for i watt laser diode. Any one can willing to share the method to construct a smd laser driver. Share with me the circuit. I will be very gratefull.Passing learned knowledge down is the way to go. No one seems to want to share in laser pointer forum, not clear ,not step by step.
Well Thank to instructables. Write another day.
rudedude119 says: 1 year ago
thanks for this i am new to making guides this will really help me
mr_nani says: 1 year ago
hello,to all friends,i can not speake english very well.i want to help me all of your.i want the project that include ARM&avr whit maps and protel and proteuse picture and data sheet and pdf and clip project
HaileySugar says: 1 year ago
Hi! I'm new to the site! How do I make a "Collaboration" with someone and also How do I do a guide? Can anyone set up the weekly challenges?
davidjjamess says: 1 year ago
This is easier and surely gives comfort to internet users. Thanks for sharing. Post like this offers great benefit. Thank you!
gonzalezchica says: 2 years ago
I can't figure out how to do this part. I can't find how to do the "Steps", I can't even find the button for it. HELP!
mikeasaurus in reply to gonzalezchica2 years ago
These instructions pertained to a previous iteration of this site, the method has changed slightly in the last few years.

Look up to the top-right of this page, there should be a yellow button named "submit". Clicking this button will bring up a new page with options on how you want to publish your project.

Let me know if you have other publishing questions.
diy_bloke in reply to mikeasaurus2 years ago
The yellow button brings me to a completely new to start instructable. Apparently it is not possible to do steps from the screen that I got to when I just started an instructable,

Some instructions should greatly enhance making an instructable.

This ofcourse is no criticism on you mikeasaurus as you are just trying to help.
I am just frustrated by the fact that I started an instructable, just by following the menu's. I then got to work in a screen that doesn't allow me to 'add' any steps and clicking the "Submit" button, brought me to a completely empty new instructable that had no relation to the one I had saved.
Well cutting and pasting then in the new instructable I guess.

One obviously does need more than an advanced college degree for this
mikeasaurus in reply to diy_bloke2 years ago
This Instructable was written a few years ago, the site and interface has changed some since then. Here's an updated guide to get you started, let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!
criggie in reply to mikeasaurus2 years ago
Your link appears to be to some kind of heated shoe liners. Sorry - what was it supposed to point to?
mikeasaurus in reply to criggie2 years ago
whoops, no! Here is where you want to go.
Kiteman in reply to mikeasaurus2 years ago
Surely a new version needs to be written then?
HVahead in reply to mikeasaurus2 years ago
how do change the photo sizes???
gonzalezchica in reply to mikeasaurus2 years ago
Do I have to make my instructable all over again (In step form) or is there some easy way to switch it over?
mikeasaurus in reply to gonzalezchica2 years ago
There's no way to switch between Instructable types and keep the content you've entered. However there are some easy ways to solve this:
  • Copy the Instructable text into a Word document (or Notepad and keep all the html) then paste it back into a new Instructable in the format you want.
  • Open a new browser window with the desired Instructable type and copy and paste the content between the windows.
This would be the easiest method to change the Instructable type. Good luck!
KnEx FrEaK 1 in reply to mikeasaurus2 years ago
How do you get to the part where u make steps
KnEx FrEaK 1 in reply to KnEx FrEaK 12 years ago
Nvm
diy_bloke says: 2 years ago
Sorry to say but this "how to instructable" is pretty bad.
How do I make 'steps'?
It is the basic of an instructable and I still do not get it
mikeasaurus in reply to diy_bloke2 years ago
This Instructable was written a few years ago, the site and interface has changed some since then. Here's an updated guide to get you started, let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!
ljones20 says: 2 years ago
I'm trying to make an Instructable, but every time I go into preview mode, it deletes my text. If I type text in one step, it changes the text in all the other steps. I am very confused, and any help would be appreciated.
zerochance in reply to ljones202 years ago
I"m having this same problem. Spent hours yesterday trying to write an instructable, couldn't break it into steps, then lost everything that I had 'saved'.
kidsshoesshop says: 2 years ago
Yes,I also can't find out the how to do this part.
letapeta says: 2 years ago
Once published, can I go back to edit and/or add steps?
mitch and sears says: 2 years ago
once ive saved it how can i get back to it pls answer back pls pls pls
wilgubeast in reply to mitch and sears2 years ago
Log in. Click "You" in the upper right hand corner of the page. Click "Instructables". Then marvel at your own creation. (If your project is unpublished, click "Unpublished". This is slightly less marvelous.)
jeckk says: 2 years ago
great
sway says: 2 years ago
safari?
mitch and sears says: 2 years ago
pls answer back i cant find the history tab pls tell me where it is
colorex says: 2 years ago
'''test'''
1-40 of 253Next »
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