View source for WhatDoTheyKnow - How to make a FOI request

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== Step-by-step guide to making a new request ==

This illustrated guide is designed to help new users of [[WhatDoTheyKnow]] make their first FOI request.

The basic steps are:
* Access WhatDoTheyKnow.com 
* Log in to your account
* Find the authority you wish to send your request to
* Access the New Request page for that authority
* Enter your FOI request
* Preview the request to ensure it is ready to send
* Send the request

== Step 1: Access WhatDoTheyKnow.com ==

* Link: http://whatdotheyknow.com


[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step1.png|center|frame|100px]]

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== Step 2: Login or sign up for an account ==

* In order to make a request, you need to log in to your WhatDoTheyKnow account.
* Click the '''"Sign in or sign up"''' link to create an account or to sign in.
* If you're creating a new account, the site sends you an activation email, which includes a link to click or copy/paste into your browser address bar to confirm your email address.  You'll need to activate your account before you can send your FOI request.

[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step2.png|center|frame|100px]]

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== Step 3: Search for the public authority ==

* Now you've logged in, the next step is to find the public authority you wish to send your FOI request.
* There are two options - you can either search for it by name, or you can use the "View Authorities" on the menu bar to browse the A-Z list or the various categories.
* We're going to use the search function:
[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step3.png|center|border|500px]]

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== Step 4: Search results ==

* '''Search results''' page: click on the required authority name (shown boxed in red) to access its page.
* If you can't find the authority by name search, try a different variation on the spelling or word order.  For example, London Borough of Islington may be listed as "Islington Council".  As search for just "Islington" will help in this situation.
* Alternatively use the "View Authorities" menu link to search by authority type or by A-Z.

[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step4.png|center|border|500px]]

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== Step 5: Create new FOI request ==

* You've arrived at the authority's page, that lists all the FOI requests that other people have made using WhatDoTheyKnow.
*'''Click on "Make a new Freedom of Information request to XXXXXXXXX"'''
* This takes you to the new request page.

[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step5.png|center|border|500px]]

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== Step 6: Review warning text ==

* '''Review the information on avoiding making a duplicate request'''
* Scroll down the page to view the New Request area

[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step6.png|center|border|500px]]

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== Step 7: Write your request ==

* Enter the subject matter and the main text for your FOI request
* Please ensure that you don't make any request for personal data, and try to write your request in a polite, focussed way.
* You can optionally spell-check the request
* Click the '''Preview''' button to go on to the next step

[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step7.png|center|border|500px]]

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== Step 8: Preview & send your request ==

* This page allows you to review the text of your FOI request before sending
* You can return to the previous page to edit the text, or if you're happy, click the '''Send public Freedom of Information request''' button.

[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step8.png|center|border|500px]]

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== Step 9: Finished ==

* Your FOI request is now on its way!

[[File:Wdtk-walkthrough-step9.png|center|border|500px]]

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[[category:whatdotheyknow]]