diff --git a/blog.py b/blog.py
index fde6de7c5..2ba055066 100644
--- a/blog.py
+++ b/blog.py
@@ -895,7 +895,7 @@ def html_edit_blog(media_instance: bool, translate: {},
     content_str = content_str.replace('<p>', '').replace('</p>', '\n')
 
     edit_blog_form += \
-        edit_text_area(placeholder_message, 'message', content_str,
+        edit_text_area(placeholder_message, None, 'message', content_str,
                        message_box_height, '', True)
     edit_blog_form += date_and_location
     if not media_instance:
diff --git a/daemon.py b/daemon.py
index 4ab1e3aad..ae1188933 100644
--- a/daemon.py
+++ b/daemon.py
@@ -152,13 +152,8 @@ from blocking import remove_global_block
 from blocking import is_blocked_hashtag
 from blocking import is_blocked_domain
 from blocking import get_domain_blocklist
+from roles import set_roles_from_list
 from roles import get_actor_roles_list
-from roles import set_role
-from roles import clear_moderator_status
-from roles import clear_editor_status
-from roles import clear_devops_status
-from roles import clear_counselor_status
-from roles import clear_artist_status
 from blog import path_contains_blog_link
 from blog import html_blog_page_rss2
 from blog import html_blog_page_rss3
@@ -6547,335 +6542,29 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                                              si_tokens)
 
                         # change moderators list
-                        if fields.get('moderators'):
-                            if path.startswith('/users/' +
-                                               admin_nickname + '/'):
-                                moderators_file = \
-                                    base_dir + \
-                                    '/accounts/moderators.txt'
-                                clear_moderator_status(base_dir)
-                                if ',' in fields['moderators']:
-                                    # if the list was given as comma separated
-                                    mods = fields['moderators'].split(',')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(moderators_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as modfile:
-                                            for mod_nick in mods:
-                                                mod_nick = mod_nick.strip()
-                                                mod_dir = base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + mod_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(mod_dir):
-                                                    modfile.write(mod_nick +
-                                                                  '\n')
-                                    except OSError:
-                                        print('EX: ' +
-                                              'unable to write moderators ' +
-                                              moderators_file)
-
-                                    for mod_nick in mods:
-                                        mod_nick = mod_nick.strip()
-                                        mod_dir = base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + mod_nick + \
-                                            '@' + domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(mod_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     mod_nick, domain,
-                                                     'moderator')
-                                else:
-                                    # nicknames on separate lines
-                                    mods = fields['moderators'].split('\n')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(moderators_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as modfile:
-                                            for mod_nick in mods:
-                                                mod_nick = mod_nick.strip()
-                                                mod_dir = \
-                                                    base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + mod_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(mod_dir):
-                                                    modfile.write(mod_nick +
-                                                                  '\n')
-                                    except OSError:
-                                        print('EX: ' +
-                                              'unable to write moderators 2 ' +
-                                              moderators_file)
-
-                                    for mod_nick in mods:
-                                        mod_nick = mod_nick.strip()
-                                        mod_dir = \
-                                            base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + \
-                                            mod_nick + '@' + \
-                                            domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(mod_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     mod_nick, domain,
-                                                     'moderator')
+                        set_roles_from_list(base_dir, domain, admin_nickname,
+                                            'moderators', 'moderator', fields,
+                                            path, 'moderators.txt')
 
                         # change site editors list
-                        if fields.get('editors'):
-                            if path.startswith('/users/' +
-                                               admin_nickname + '/'):
-                                editors_file = \
-                                    base_dir + \
-                                    '/accounts/editors.txt'
-                                clear_editor_status(base_dir)
-                                if ',' in fields['editors']:
-                                    # if the list was given as comma separated
-                                    eds = fields['editors'].split(',')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(editors_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as edfil:
-                                            for ed_nick in eds:
-                                                ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                                ed_dir = base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                                    edfil.write(ed_nick + '\n')
-                                    except OSError as ex:
-                                        print('EX: unable to write editors ' +
-                                              editors_file + ' ' + str(ex))
-
-                                    for ed_nick in eds:
-                                        ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                        ed_dir = base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                            '@' + domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     ed_nick, domain,
-                                                     'editor')
-                                else:
-                                    # nicknames on separate lines
-                                    eds = fields['editors'].split('\n')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(editors_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as edfile:
-                                            for ed_nick in eds:
-                                                ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                                ed_dir = \
-                                                    base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                                    edfile.write(ed_nick +
-                                                                 '\n')
-                                    except OSError as ex:
-                                        print('EX: unable to write editors ' +
-                                              editors_file + ' ' + str(ex))
-
-                                    for ed_nick in eds:
-                                        ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                        ed_dir = \
-                                            base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + \
-                                            ed_nick + '@' + \
-                                            domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     ed_nick, domain,
-                                                     'editor')
+                        set_roles_from_list(base_dir, domain, admin_nickname,
+                                            'editors', 'editor', fields,
+                                            path, 'editors.txt')
 
                         # change site devops list
-                        if fields.get('devopslist'):
-                            if path.startswith('/users/' +
-                                               admin_nickname + '/'):
-                                devops_file = \
-                                    base_dir + \
-                                    '/accounts/devops.txt'
-                                clear_devops_status(base_dir)
-                                if ',' in fields['devopslist']:
-                                    # if the list was given as comma separated
-                                    dos = fields['devopslist'].split(',')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(devops_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as dofil:
-                                            for do_nick in dos:
-                                                do_nick = do_nick.strip()
-                                                do_dir = base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + do_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(do_dir):
-                                                    dofil.write(do_nick + '\n')
-                                    except OSError as ex:
-                                        print('EX: unable to write devops ' +
-                                              devops_file + ' ' + str(ex))
-
-                                    for do_nick in dos:
-                                        do_nick = do_nick.strip()
-                                        do_dir = base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + do_nick + \
-                                            '@' + domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(do_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     do_nick, domain,
-                                                     'devops')
-                                else:
-                                    # nicknames on separate lines
-                                    dos = fields['devopslist'].split('\n')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(devops_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as dofile:
-                                            for do_nick in dos:
-                                                do_nick = do_nick.strip()
-                                                do_dir = \
-                                                    base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + do_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(do_dir):
-                                                    dofile.write(do_nick +
-                                                                 '\n')
-                                    except OSError as ex:
-                                        print('EX: unable to write devops ' +
-                                              devops_file + ' ' + str(ex))
-
-                                    for do_nick in dos:
-                                        do_nick = do_nick.strip()
-                                        do_dir = \
-                                            base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + \
-                                            do_nick + '@' + \
-                                            domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(do_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     do_nick, domain,
-                                                     'devops')
+                        set_roles_from_list(base_dir, domain, admin_nickname,
+                                            'devopslist', 'devops', fields,
+                                            path, 'devops.txt')
 
                         # change site counselors list
-                        if fields.get('counselors'):
-                            if path.startswith('/users/' +
-                                               admin_nickname + '/'):
-                                counselors_file = \
-                                    base_dir + \
-                                    '/accounts/counselors.txt'
-                                clear_counselor_status(base_dir)
-                                if ',' in fields['counselors']:
-                                    # if the list was given as comma separated
-                                    eds = fields['counselors'].split(',')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(counselors_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as edfile:
-                                            for ed_nick in eds:
-                                                ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                                ed_dir = base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                                    edfile.write(ed_nick +
-                                                                 '\n')
-                                    except OSError as ex:
-                                        print('EX: ' +
-                                              'unable to write counselors ' +
-                                              counselors_file + ' ' + str(ex))
-
-                                    for ed_nick in eds:
-                                        ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                        ed_dir = base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                            '@' + domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     ed_nick, domain,
-                                                     'counselor')
-                                else:
-                                    # nicknames on separate lines
-                                    eds = fields['counselors'].split('\n')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(counselors_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as edfile:
-                                            for ed_nick in eds:
-                                                ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                                ed_dir = \
-                                                    base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                                    edfile.write(ed_nick +
-                                                                 '\n')
-                                    except OSError as ex:
-                                        print('EX: ' +
-                                              'unable to write counselors ' +
-                                              counselors_file + ' ' + str(ex))
-
-                                    for ed_nick in eds:
-                                        ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                        ed_dir = \
-                                            base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + \
-                                            ed_nick + '@' + \
-                                            domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     ed_nick, domain,
-                                                     'counselor')
+                        set_roles_from_list(base_dir, domain, admin_nickname,
+                                            'counselors', 'counselor', fields,
+                                            path, 'counselors.txt')
 
                         # change site artists list
-                        if fields.get('artists'):
-                            if path.startswith('/users/' +
-                                               admin_nickname + '/'):
-                                artists_file = \
-                                    base_dir + \
-                                    '/accounts/artists.txt'
-                                clear_artist_status(base_dir)
-                                if ',' in fields['artists']:
-                                    # if the list was given as comma separated
-                                    eds = fields['artists'].split(',')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(artists_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as edfil:
-                                            for ed_nick in eds:
-                                                ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                                ed_dir = base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                                    edfil.write(ed_nick + '\n')
-                                    except OSError as ex:
-                                        print('EX: unable to write artists ' +
-                                              artists_file + ' ' + str(ex))
-
-                                    for ed_nick in eds:
-                                        ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                        ed_dir = base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                            '@' + domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     ed_nick, domain,
-                                                     'artist')
-                                else:
-                                    # nicknames on separate lines
-                                    eds = fields['artists'].split('\n')
-                                    try:
-                                        with open(artists_file, 'w+',
-                                                  encoding='utf-8') as edfil:
-                                            for ed_nick in eds:
-                                                ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                                ed_dir = \
-                                                    base_dir + \
-                                                    '/accounts/' + ed_nick + \
-                                                    '@' + domain
-                                                if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                                    edfil.write(ed_nick +
-                                                                '\n')
-                                    except OSError as ex:
-                                        print('EX: unable to write artists ' +
-                                              artists_file + ' ' + str(ex))
-
-                                    for ed_nick in eds:
-                                        ed_nick = ed_nick.strip()
-                                        ed_dir = \
-                                            base_dir + \
-                                            '/accounts/' + \
-                                            ed_nick + '@' + \
-                                            domain
-                                        if os.path.isdir(ed_dir):
-                                            set_role(base_dir,
-                                                     ed_nick, domain,
-                                                     'artist')
+                        set_roles_from_list(base_dir, domain, admin_nickname,
+                                            'artists', 'artist', fields,
+                                            path, 'artists.txt')
 
                     # remove scheduled posts
                     if fields.get('removeScheduledPosts'):
diff --git a/person.py b/person.py
index 733ff24b6..7285d9c6e 100644
--- a/person.py
+++ b/person.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ from posts import create_moderation
 from auth import store_basic_credentials
 from auth import remove_password
 from roles import set_role
-from roles import set_rolesFromList
+from roles import actor_roles_from_list
 from roles import get_actor_roles_list
 from media import process_meta_data
 from utils import safe_system_string
@@ -860,7 +860,7 @@ def person_upgrade_actor(base_dir: str, person_json: {},
         admin_name = get_config_param(base_dir, 'admin')
         if person_json['id'].endswith('/users/' + admin_name):
             roles_list = ["admin", "moderator", "editor"]
-            set_rolesFromList(person_json, roles_list)
+            actor_roles_from_list(person_json, roles_list)
             update_actor = True
 
     # remove the old roles format
diff --git a/roles.py b/roles.py
index 58ff40647..69f396bbb 100644
--- a/roles.py
+++ b/roles.py
@@ -38,50 +38,10 @@ def _clear_role_status(base_dir: str, role: str) -> None:
         roles_list = get_actor_roles_list(actor_json)
         if role in roles_list:
             roles_list.remove(role)
-            set_rolesFromList(actor_json, roles_list)
+            actor_roles_from_list(actor_json, roles_list)
             save_json(actor_json, filename)
 
 
-def clear_editor_status(base_dir: str) -> None:
-    """Removes editor status from all accounts
-    This could be slow if there are many users, but only happens
-    rarely when editors are appointed or removed
-    """
-    _clear_role_status(base_dir, 'editor')
-
-
-def clear_devops_status(base_dir: str) -> None:
-    """Removes devops status from all accounts
-    This could be slow if there are many users, but only happens
-    rarely when devops are appointed or removed
-    """
-    _clear_role_status(base_dir, 'devops')
-
-
-def clear_counselor_status(base_dir: str) -> None:
-    """Removes counselor status from all accounts
-    This could be slow if there are many users, but only happens
-    rarely when counselors are appointed or removed
-    """
-    _clear_role_status(base_dir, 'editor')
-
-
-def clear_artist_status(base_dir: str) -> None:
-    """Removes artist status from all accounts
-    This could be slow if there are many users, but only happens
-    rarely when artists are appointed or removed
-    """
-    _clear_role_status(base_dir, 'artist')
-
-
-def clear_moderator_status(base_dir: str) -> None:
-    """Removes moderator status from all accounts
-    This could be slow if there are many users, but only happens
-    rarely when moderators are appointed or removed
-    """
-    _clear_role_status(base_dir, 'moderator')
-
-
 def _add_role(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
               role_filename: str) -> None:
     """Adds a role nickname to the file.
@@ -212,7 +172,7 @@ def _set_actor_role(actor_json: {}, role_name: str) -> bool:
     return True
 
 
-def set_rolesFromList(actor_json: {}, roles_list: []) -> None:
+def actor_roles_from_list(actor_json: {}, roles_list: []) -> None:
     """Sets roles from a list
     """
     # clear Roles from the occupation list
@@ -285,7 +245,7 @@ def set_role(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
             if role not in roles_list:
                 roles_list.append(role)
                 roles_list.sort()
-                set_rolesFromList(actor_json, roles_list)
+                actor_roles_from_list(actor_json, roles_list)
                 actor_changed = True
         else:
             # remove the role
@@ -293,7 +253,7 @@ def set_role(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
                 _remove_role(base_dir, nickname, role_files[role])
             if role in roles_list:
                 roles_list.remove(role)
-                set_rolesFromList(actor_json, roles_list)
+                actor_roles_from_list(actor_json, roles_list)
                 actor_changed = True
         if actor_changed:
             save_json(actor_json, actor_filename)
@@ -334,3 +294,64 @@ def is_devops(base_dir: str, nickname: str) -> bool:
             if devops == nickname:
                 return True
     return False
+
+
+def set_roles_from_list(base_dir: str, domain: str, admin_nickname: str,
+                        list_name: str, role_name: str, fields: [], path: str,
+                        list_filename: str) -> None:
+    """Sets the roles from a list returned from the edit profile screen under
+    role assignments
+    """
+    # check for admin user
+    if not path.startswith('/users/' + admin_nickname + '/'):
+        return
+    roles_filename = base_dir + '/accounts/' + list_filename
+    if not fields.get(list_name):
+        if os.path.isfile(roles_filename):
+            _clear_role_status(base_dir, role_name)
+            try:
+                os.remove(roles_filename)
+            except OSError:
+                print('EX: failed to remove roles file ' + roles_filename)
+        return
+    _clear_role_status(base_dir, role_name)
+    if ',' in fields[list_name]:
+        # if the list was given as comma separated
+        roles_list = fields[list_name].split(',')
+        try:
+            with open(roles_filename, 'w+',
+                      encoding='utf-8') as rolesfile:
+                for roles_nick in roles_list:
+                    roles_nick = roles_nick.strip()
+                    roles_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, roles_nick, domain)
+                    if os.path.isdir(roles_dir):
+                        rolesfile.write(roles_nick + '\n')
+        except OSError as ex:
+            print('EX: unable to write ' + list_name + ' ' +
+                  roles_filename + ' ' + str(ex))
+
+        for roles_nick in roles_list:
+            roles_nick = roles_nick.strip()
+            roles_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, roles_nick, domain)
+            if os.path.isdir(roles_dir):
+                set_role(base_dir, roles_nick, domain, role_name)
+    else:
+        # nicknames on separate lines
+        roles_list = fields[list_name].split('\n')
+        try:
+            with open(roles_filename, 'w+',
+                      encoding='utf-8') as rolesfile:
+                for roles_nick in roles_list:
+                    roles_nick = roles_nick.strip()
+                    roles_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, roles_nick, domain)
+                    if os.path.isdir(roles_dir):
+                        rolesfile.write(roles_nick + '\n')
+        except OSError as ex:
+            print('EX: unable to write  ' + list_name + ' ' +
+                  roles_filename + ' ' + str(ex))
+
+        for roles_nick in roles_list:
+            roles_nick = roles_nick.strip()
+            roles_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, roles_nick, domain)
+            if os.path.isdir(roles_dir):
+                set_role(base_dir, roles_nick, domain, role_name)
diff --git a/tests.py b/tests.py
index 3dcb75603..8b9ba7068 100644
--- a/tests.py
+++ b/tests.py
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ from skills import set_skill_level
 from skills import actor_skill_value
 from skills import set_skills_from_dict
 from skills import actor_has_skill
-from roles import set_rolesFromList
+from roles import actor_roles_from_list
 from roles import set_role
 from roles import actor_has_role
 from auth import constant_time_string_check
@@ -6420,7 +6420,7 @@ def _test_roles() -> None:
         ]
     }
     test_roles_list = ["admin", "moderator"]
-    set_rolesFromList(actor_json, test_roles_list)
+    actor_roles_from_list(actor_json, test_roles_list)
     assert actor_has_role(actor_json, "admin")
     assert actor_has_role(actor_json, "moderator")
     assert not actor_has_role(actor_json, "editor")
diff --git a/webapp_profile.py b/webapp_profile.py
index f88a231f9..b993cd3c8 100644
--- a/webapp_profile.py
+++ b/webapp_profile.py
@@ -1423,7 +1423,7 @@ def _html_edit_profile_instance(base_dir: str, translate: {},
                         'instanceDescriptionShort', instance_description_short)
     instance_str += '<br>\n'
     instance_str += \
-        edit_text_area(translate['Instance Description'],
+        edit_text_area(translate['Instance Description'], None,
                        'instanceDescription', instance_description, 200,
                        '', True)
     instance_str += \
@@ -1493,37 +1493,30 @@ def _html_edit_profile_instance(base_dir: str, translate: {},
     instance_str += end_edit_section()
 
     # Role assignments section
+    role_assign_str = \
+        begin_edit_section(translate['Role Assignment']) + \
+        '  <b><label class="labels">'
+
+    # site moderators
     moderators = ''
     moderators_file = base_dir + '/accounts/moderators.txt'
     if os.path.isfile(moderators_file):
         with open(moderators_file, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as mod_file:
             moderators = mod_file.read()
-    # site moderators
-    role_assign_str = \
-        begin_edit_section(translate['Role Assignment']) + \
-        '  <b><label class="labels">' + \
-        translate['Moderators'] + '</label></b><br>\n' + \
-        '  ' + \
-        translate['A list of moderator nicknames. One per line.'] + \
-        '  <textarea id="message" name="moderators" placeholder="' + \
-        translate['List of moderator nicknames'] + \
-        '..." style="height:200px" spellcheck="false">' + \
-        moderators + '</textarea>'
-
+    subtitle = translate['A list of moderator nicknames. One per line.']
+    role_assign_str += \
+        edit_text_area('<b>' + translate['Moderators'] + '</b>', subtitle,
+                       'moderators', moderators, 200, '', False)
     # site editors
     editors = ''
     editors_file = base_dir + '/accounts/editors.txt'
     if os.path.isfile(editors_file):
         with open(editors_file, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as edit_file:
             editors = edit_file.read()
+    subtitle = translate['A list of editor nicknames. One per line.']
     role_assign_str += \
-        '  <b><label class="labels">' + \
-        translate['Site Editors'] + '</label></b><br>\n' + \
-        '  ' + \
-        translate['A list of editor nicknames. One per line.'] + \
-        '  <textarea id="message" name="editors" placeholder="" ' + \
-        'style="height:200px" spellcheck="false">' + \
-        editors + '</textarea>'
+        edit_text_area('<b>' + translate['Site Editors'] + '</b>',
+                       subtitle, 'editors', editors, 200, '', False)
 
     # counselors
     counselors = ''
@@ -1532,7 +1525,7 @@ def _html_edit_profile_instance(base_dir: str, translate: {},
         with open(counselors_file, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as co_file:
             counselors = co_file.read()
     role_assign_str += \
-        edit_text_area('<b>' + translate['Counselors'] + '</b>',
+        edit_text_area('<b>' + translate['Counselors'] + '</b>', None,
                        'counselors', counselors, 200, '', False)
 
     # artists
@@ -1542,7 +1535,7 @@ def _html_edit_profile_instance(base_dir: str, translate: {},
         with open(artists_file, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as art_file:
             artists = art_file.read()
     role_assign_str += \
-        edit_text_area('<b>' + translate['Artists'] + '</b>',
+        edit_text_area('<b>' + translate['Artists'] + '</b>', None,
                        'artists', artists, 200, '', False)
 
     # site devops
@@ -1551,14 +1544,10 @@ def _html_edit_profile_instance(base_dir: str, translate: {},
     if os.path.isfile(devops_file):
         with open(devops_file, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as edit_file:
             devops = edit_file.read()
+    subtitle = translate['A list of devops nicknames. One per line.']
     role_assign_str += \
-        '  <b><label class="labels">' + \
-        translate['Site DevOps'] + '</label></b><br>\n' + \
-        '  ' + \
-        translate['A list of devops nicknames. One per line.'] + \
-        '  <textarea id="message" name="devopslist" placeholder="" ' + \
-        'style="height:200px" spellcheck="false">' + \
-        devops + '</textarea>'
+        edit_text_area('<b>' + translate['Site DevOps'] + '</b>',
+                       subtitle, 'devopslist', devops, 200, '', False)
 
     role_assign_str += end_edit_section()
 
@@ -1568,8 +1557,8 @@ def _html_edit_profile_instance(base_dir: str, translate: {},
     for url in peertube_instances:
         peertube_instances_str += url + '\n'
     peertube_str += \
-        edit_text_area(translate['Peertube Instances'], 'ptInstances',
-                       peertube_instances_str, 200, '', False)
+        edit_text_area(translate['Peertube Instances'], None,
+                       'ptInstances', peertube_instances_str, 200, '', False)
     peertube_str += \
         '      <br>\n'
     yt_replace_domain = get_config_param(base_dir, "youtubedomain")
@@ -1675,7 +1664,7 @@ def _html_edit_profile_git_projects(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
     edit_profile_form = begin_edit_section(translate['Git Projects'])
     idx = 'List of project names that you wish to receive git patches for'
     edit_profile_form += \
-        edit_text_area(translate[idx], 'gitProjects', git_projects_str,
+        edit_text_area(translate[idx], None, 'gitProjects', git_projects_str,
                        100, '', False)
     edit_profile_form += end_edit_section()
     return edit_profile_form
@@ -1696,7 +1685,7 @@ def _html_edit_profile_shared_items(base_dir: str, translate: {}) -> str:
     edit_profile_form = begin_edit_section(translate['Shares'])
     idx = 'List of domains which can access the shared items catalog'
     edit_profile_form += \
-        edit_text_area(translate[idx], 'shareDomainList',
+        edit_text_area(translate[idx], None, 'shareDomainList',
                        shared_items_str, 200, '', False)
     edit_profile_form += end_edit_section()
     return edit_profile_form
@@ -1849,12 +1838,12 @@ def _html_edit_profile_filtering(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
     idx = 'Blocked accounts, one per line, in the form ' + \
         'nickname@domain or *@blockeddomain'
     edit_profile_form += \
-        edit_text_area(translate['Blocked accounts'], 'blocked', blocked_str,
-                       200, '', False)
+        edit_text_area(translate['Blocked accounts'], None, 'blocked',
+                       blocked_str, 200, '', False)
 
     idx = 'Direct messages are always allowed from these instances.'
     edit_profile_form += \
-        edit_text_area(translate['Direct Message permitted instances'],
+        edit_text_area(translate['Direct Message permitted instances'], None,
                        'dmAllowedInstances', dm_allowed_instances_str,
                        200, '', False)
 
@@ -1880,7 +1869,7 @@ def _html_edit_profile_filtering(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
                 user_agents_blocked_str += '\n'
             user_agents_blocked_str += uagent
         edit_profile_form += \
-            edit_text_area(translate['Blocked User Agents'],
+            edit_text_area(translate['Blocked User Agents'], None,
                            'userAgentsBlockedStr', user_agents_blocked_str,
                            200, '', False)
 
@@ -1894,7 +1883,7 @@ def _html_edit_profile_filtering(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
                 crawlers_allowed_str += '\n'
             crawlers_allowed_str += uagent
         edit_profile_form += \
-            edit_text_area(translate['Web Bots Allowed'],
+            edit_text_area(translate['Web Bots Allowed'], None,
                            'crawlersAllowedStr', crawlers_allowed_str,
                            200, '', False)
 
@@ -2097,7 +2086,7 @@ def _html_edit_profile_encryption_keys(pgp_fingerprint: str,
     edit_profile_form += edit_text_field(translate['PGP Fingerprint'],
                                          'openpgp', pgp_fingerprint)
     edit_profile_form += \
-        edit_text_area(translate['PGP'], 'pgp', pgp_pub_key, 600,
+        edit_text_area(translate['PGP'], None, 'pgp', pgp_pub_key, 600,
                        '-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----', False)
 
     edit_profile_form += end_edit_section()
@@ -2182,7 +2171,8 @@ def _html_edit_profile_main(base_dir: str, display_nickname: str, bio_str: str,
                         display_nickname)
 
     edit_profile_form += \
-        edit_text_area(translate['Your bio'], 'bio', bio_str, 200, '', True)
+        edit_text_area(translate['Your bio'], None, 'bio', bio_str,
+                       200, '', True)
 
     edit_profile_form += \
         '      <label class="labels">' + translate['Avatar image'] + \
diff --git a/webapp_utils.py b/webapp_utils.py
index 37bc83bfc..800fdc23c 100644
--- a/webapp_utils.py
+++ b/webapp_utils.py
@@ -1622,7 +1622,7 @@ def edit_check_box(label: str, name: str, checked: bool) -> str:
         'name="' + name + '"' + checked_str + '> ' + label + '<br>\n'
 
 
-def edit_text_area(label: str, name: str, value: str,
+def edit_text_area(label: str, subtitle: str, name: str, value: str,
                    height: int, placeholder: str, spellcheck: bool) -> str:
     """Returns html for editing a textarea field
     """
@@ -1631,6 +1631,8 @@ def edit_text_area(label: str, name: str, value: str,
     text = ''
     if label:
         text = '<label class="labels">' + label + '</label><br>\n'
+        if subtitle:
+            text += subtitle + '<br>\n'
     text += \
         '      <textarea id="message" placeholder=' + \
         '"' + placeholder + '" '