Template:Use dmy dates/doc

Usage
Place this template near the top of articles that use the  date format.

Articles that use  dates are systematically tagged with Use dmy dates over time. The template is invisible except in edit mode.

The template is useful to the editors to quickly know which date format is to be used when adding new dates into an article. It also facilitates article maintenance by enabling bots to recognise use of this format, and by adding the article to the hidden category Use dmy dates.

'''Use of this template is part of a continuing effort to monitor the date formats used in articles, to assist in maintaining consistent formatting within an article. It is not a temporary "cleanup" template. Therefore, do not remove the template without valid reason, such as a determination the article uses or should use a different date format.'''

After being tagged, and bearing in mind article evolution, periodic script or bot runs clean up formats, correcting any new introductions since its last visit, and updating the visit date on the Use dmy dates template.

In general, the date format used for publication dates within references should match that used within the article body. However, it is common practice for archive and access dates to use the alternative ymd format. This usage is valid. In those cases, the archive and access date formats should not be altered when fixing dates.

Wrongly tagged?
If, for example, you determine that an article has a template that is inappropriate for its nationality, you should substitute the appropriate template to avoid scripts or bots reapplying the "wrong" format in the course of maintenance.