I got this warning. What do I do when I get this Warning: Check the data-the biography has unmatched <ref> tags.

+7 votes
243 views
WikiTree profile: Donald Crane
in WikiTree Help by Bonnie Bond G2G1 (1.8k points)
retagged by Ellen Smith
Hi Bonnie,

It's difficult to say conclusively as the profile is private if you open it for a few someone or myself can have a look at it and help you fix the problem

Best Regards

P.S

You might want to check out https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Privacy for help on changing privacy level

1 Answer

+9 votes

<ref></ref> tags have to go together in pairs, with your citation in between. If the data check is saying you have an unmatched <ref> tag, you have one without the other. It looks like you have a </ref> in the middle of <references/>. Take it out.  Your == Biography == heading is also getting messed up by something. I can't tell what because I can't see edit mode, but it looks like there might be some ref tags up there. In general, not a good idea or look to have an in-line citation in a heading line.

by Chase Ashley G2G6 Pilot (312k points)

Hi Bonnie, 

I was able to get into edit mode, and made a few small adjustments, so you can have an example of the points Chase is making above. 

The matched<ref> </ref> tags need to go in the biography.  

  • One was above the biography, so I moved it down, to the death line where it seemed to be related.
  • Three others were below, in the sources. They're in the right place, I just removed the tags so they'll look right now

Somehow, a reference was inserted inside of the <references/> tag , so I just restored it.  This code indicates where the text between the <ref></ref> tags will appear. It works like footnotes

This help page may be useful: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Sources

I learned how to do this by trial and error, and looking at how others did it.  

Don't hesitate to ask questions, we each learn in our own way.

 

I feel so dumb.  I need WikiTree for Dummies.  Maybe I'm just tired.  I'm going to take a break maybe even a nap and come back later to figure out what I am doing wrong.  I have a little over 1400 people in my tree and have only done a few and getting discouraged.  Citing sources has always been my downfall.  It's like another language.  I hope I can figure this out because WikeTree looks like it has a lot of cool stuff.  I changed the privacy setting.  I'll check back later after a break.  Thanks for your help everyone.
Don't get discouraged. We all make mistakes and none are masters.
Bonnie, someone here on Wikitree shared a trick that I have used, and I am sorry I do not know who to give the credit to.  I know it works using Google Chrome. When you are on the edit page, hit Control F, and a little box will appear on the screen. In the box type, ref, and it will high lite all of the ref on the page. This helps see where you have <ref> at the beginning of the citation, and where the </ref> is at the end of the citation. Like Steve says, hang in there and things will get more comfortable for you shortly. Two years ago I could not even spell computer.
Good idea Rodney, I'ma use that too.  Saves these old eyes a little, peering at the screen, looking for typos.
I tried again with my mother Bailey-19529 I still think it's wrong but I think it's better if you would like to check it for me I would appreciate it.  Thanks so much
Also my grandmother Reed-16869 if you could and see what mistakes I have made.  Thank you so much.
See the strength and clarity a nap can bring!  

If I knew how, I'd send you a BIG bouquet.

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