To include a shortcut, pass a parameter: {{historical|WP:SHORT}}.
To provide a last updated date, use the named parameter "last", i.e. {{historical|last=1 January 2000}}
To provide a briefer form of the text, use {{historical|brief=yes}}
For a former policy, use {{historical|type=policy}}
For a former guideline, use {{historical|type=guideline}}
For a page closed down by explicit community consensus, use {{historical|type=woundup}}
To provide an explanatory comment, use {{historical|comment=explanatory text here}}
Pages using this template will be placed into Category:Inactive project pages unless the parameter category=no is given: {{Historical}} (user and user talk pages are not categorized).
Please note that this template is not appropriate for portals, which exist for the purpose of informing readers on a given topic and, as such, can never truly be "inactive".