Managing [NAME GivenName /FamilyName/] could not be formatted for display Error message

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Jeff Armstrong

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Nov 1, 2025, 2:06:40 AM (5 days ago) Nov 1
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My wife wanted to use the family tree I have created as reference for some work she is doing so I simply copied my file to a memory stick that we then copied onto onto her computer.
Once over an initial problem (she had not updated her copy of GEDitCOM II since Version 1.8) we were able to open the .gedpkg file at the index page.
However when she tries to view an individual's record we get this error message. 
NAME GivenName /FamilyName/ could not be formatted for display Error message. I have attached a screen capture
I know nothing at all about editing templates as I have never done it. I've always used the default template that came with the package. My usage goes way back to an early version of the original GEDitCOM.
I can view the records perfectly on my computer.
We are both (now) on Version 3.2(6) of GEDitCOM II, the only difference being the MacOS on our machines. I am using Ventura 13.7.8 and she is using Sequoia 15.6.1
Any thoughts on how to make my files readable on her machine. She only needs to be able to read the records for her task. All the maintenance is done by me.IMG_3142.png

John Nairn, Developer

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Nov 4, 2025, 7:08:06 PM (2 days ago) Nov 4
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That is an error in the browser style used to format genealogy data fort display. It is usually caused by using an out-dated version of the "Default Format" (or other formats). I see you are both on latest version (3.2(6), and I am working on 3.3 to post soon). When you updated, did you do a clean update?. Here are steps that should fix it:

1. Make sure you are actually running GEDitCOM II 3.2, build 6. To see, use the "About GEDitCOM II" menu command. On my computer I often have multiple versions of GEDitCOM II from prior development and testing. When I double click a file, the MacOS has an uncanny ability to open the worst one. If you only have one copy of GEDitCOM II, this problem will not occur, but it is worth a check.

2. Next use Settings... menu command and click on "Restore Resources". When window opens click on "Clean Update"

3. Finally (maybe not needed) select "Default Format" from the "Browser Styles" menu in the "Extensions" menu.

If these steps do not fix it, let me know.

John Nairn
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