Inserting a Page Tree macro between strong XHTML tags breaks its functionality

Platform Notice: Data Center Only - This article only applies to Atlassian apps on the Data Center platform.

Note that this KB was created for the Data Center version of the product. Data Center KBs for non-Data-Center-specific features may also work for Server versions of the product, however they have not been tested. Support for Server* products ended on February 15th 2024. If you are running a Server product, you can visit the Atlassian Server end of support announcement to review your migration options.

*Except Fisheye and Crucible

Symptoms

Page Tree fails to render content, keeps spinning and loads no content.

In a section of text formatted in bold, inserting the Page Tree macro may fail if it gets in between two <strong> </strong> tags.

Diagnosis

A similar tag excerpt to the following can be seen after opening the Storage Format view into the "Tools > View Storage Format"

<p><strong>Bold</strong></p> <p><strong><ac:structured-macro ac:name="pagetree" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Bold</strong></p>

Cause

The <strong> tag appears to break normal macro rendering when it is encapsulated into a couple of them.

Workaround

Use the Confluence Source Editor to remove the enclosing <strong> tags.

Resolution

  • There is a bug report on the subject filled for this item CONF-29930

Updated on April 21, 2026

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