HTML Posting Problem - Here's the Skinny

[GailL1]

I have been working with @AARPMichaelP on this problem and have finally got it narrowed down as to the problem..  He has the "experts" working on it but until there is a conclusion, here is when it happens and what you can do about it.

The HTML error occurs on this forum when there is SOME different HTML coding appearing in a post that has been put there by you in a 

whether in a copy paste with an embedded link or some other type of type, color, boldness, italic - anything that has HTML code attached to it that is different than the HTML that you are using for your reply..

It can also occur when you might be replying to someone which is using their own special font, boldness, color in their typing here - it occurs when you use the " (quote function key) or  copy/paste and they are using some special font/color/size/boldness - that is different than what you are using or the default. 

It happens when you are "REPLYING" not so much with an initial post that starts a thread when you are "POSTING"  -

• I know that @Panjandrum said he/she had problems posting links and I noticed that their normal type size is larger than the default.  So what he/she should try when trying to post a link is to change the link to the same size, color, boldness, whatever that they are using for their standard typing. 
• Same thing for @Roxanna35 with her big red or black type if she want to post a link in a reply. Or wants to use the quote function or copy/paste that is different than her own selection of HTML - I didn't check this thoroughly since I use the default now because of this problem.
• I think @Richva has already figured it out cause I notice his/her links are of the same font, color, size, boldness as the type they are using.

To make a "REPLY" take without the HTML error message, you have to actually edit the copy / paste edition that you are posting to remove other HTML - I do it off the board if it is a lot or hard to correct and then copy paste it onto my reply and then post.  Sometimes it is sneaky and you have to be aware of what is different HTML.

I hope this helps the ones that are having problems - but a fix does need to be added, if it can, and hopefully will - at 1st, @AARPMichaelP  told me the programmers said it was a security issue but then when I told them that I could post it once I edited it to the same HTML that I was using and it took fine - 😯 Their rationale didn't make sense.

[AARPMichaelP]

Overall this is done as an AARP security measure. I am currently looking into options for more flexibility for you guys, our community members!  Stay tuned. 

[AARPMichaelP · Accepted solution]

Would anyone be willing to help demonstrate the issue you are having putting in links over video? If so, let me know. 

In the meantime, I think your safest bet is to use the "insert/edit link" function in the toolbar and hyperlink your text as opposed to copy and pasting your link directly into the post area. 

[EricC227821]

Possible short-term workaround:

Cut/Paste the entire text into a text editor (ex: Wordpad or LibreOffice Writer).

Cancel the troublesome Post.

Highlight the entire text.

Change the Font.

Change the Font Size.

Copy/Paste into a new Post.

[NOTHAPPENING]

Or easier use TxGrandpa2 solution below

I've found that when copying and pasting, I use "paste as plain text" and have no problems.

[ChasKy53]

I have actually had to save something I want to post, print it out, and then hand type all of it into the editor to get it to post. Frustrating to say the least.

I am also disgusted that we cannot copy and past a news article off an on-line news page, like ABC, NBC, CBS and others, without the pictures and links within the article showing in the posting.

[MsStretch]

Plain text is the way to go when C&Ping from outside sources.

For example, this is what happened when I copied and pasted directly into Reply textarea.

But when I paste it as plain text, problem solved.

AARP Members Only Games
AARP Members, play Pong, the game that started it all! Grab your paddle, play the angles and score to win.
Paddles up!
AARP Members Only Games Atari Pong

If I want it to look more like the original, I have to edit it within the Reply textarea since it uses a more simplified HTML editor.  Like this:

AARP Members Only Games

AARP Members, play Pong, the game that started it all! Grab your paddle, play the angles and score to win.
Paddles up!

To add the Paddles up! link (see right sidebar), I have to do it manually using the textarea menu bar seen at top in screenshots.

Note that the error message still says that the invalid HTML has been removed.  That part no longer works since the user now has to remove the invalid HTML manually.

Whew, that was a whole lotta rigamarole to just say paste as plain text. 😁

[TxGrandpa2]

@GailL1 

I've found that when copying and pasting, I use "paste as plain text" and have no problems.

[NOTHAPPENING]

Great easy solution!

[MsStretch]

When I have experienced the issue, I check the HTML by using the menu option at top of the Reply textarea.  It is almost always because of an attribute not recognized by the forum, most notably the <span> </span> tags, which can occur when copying from an outside source, so I eliminate/delete those tags.  Also best to "Paste as plain text" to avoid HTML tags not recognized by the AARP forum which uses a more simplistic HTML than later HTML versions.  Although, yes, doing that is a PITA when it used to autocorrect.

I am unsure why links posted in different font or size would trigger an HTML error.  For example:

I am typing this in bold green.

And this is my link is larger font.  Or if you prefer I post it as http://nothingtoseehere.com

[GailL1]

I can't tell you why - but I will let you know when it happen again for your scrutiny & advice and hopefully others will too but it does require screen shots for good examples.

[MsStretch]

The only problem with a screenshot is that you cannot source and examine the HTML.

I will try to duplicate when I've experienced the error and post screenshot of what I am referring to.

[cat0w]

Maybe a screen shot using Snip & Sketch of the HTML before posting would help especially if you are having the problem often when you post. If you don't have a problem with the post, then you can delete the imaged you saved.

[cat0w]

When I got this message about the HTML I had to ignore (Maybe a) that was underlined and then place a comma after post in the last sentence. I was able to post it after those corrections.

[PhilipT605548]

How wonderful and informative!

I have been experiencing this and have been mystified by it's origins.

Thanks so much, Gail!