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Add Notes Quick Start

📋 To link existing notes to multiple records
1. Select your target records in Family Historian
2. Run the Add Notes plugin
3. Go to Notes > Select Existing [Note Type] and choose your notes
4. Click Apply and Exit
✨ To create new notes from templates
1. Select your target records in Family Historian
2. Run the Add Notes plugin
3. Go to Notes > Mode > Create from AutoText
4. Go to Notes > Select AutoText and choose your templates
5. Click Apply and Exit

What This Plugin Does

The Add Notes plugin helps you quickly link notes to multiple records in your Family Historian project. Instead of manually adding notes one by one, you can:

  • Bulk link existing notes to many records at once
  • Create tailored notes from templates for each target record
  • View and edit notes and templates directly within the plugin

Key Terms You’ll Need To Know

Term Definition
Target Records The records (individuals, families, sources, etc.) that will receive notes
Shared Notes Standard Family Historian notes that can be attached to most record types
Research Notes Notes for research planning and tracking
AutoText Templates Text templates with optional placeholders that get replaced with actual record data
Tokens Placeholders like {NAME} and {LINK} that get replaced with target record data

Two Ways To Work

📋 Select Existing Mode

What it does: Links existing notes to multiple records

Use when: You have notes to share across records

Example: Adding the same research methodology note to all ancestors from Ireland

→ See Step-by-Step Guide

✨ Create from AutoText Mode

What it does: Creates new notes from templates

Use when: You need tailored notes for each record

Example: Creating individual research task notes for each person

→ See Step-by-Step Guide

Common Questions

Q: Can I undo bulk note additions?
A: Yes. Use Edit > Undo Plugin Updates within Family Historian.  However, you can’t undo changes to AutoText that way. If you’ve created AutoText, you must use Tools > Manage AutoText… to delete unwanted templates or re-edit changed ones.
Q: How many records can I process at once?
A: Theoretically, there’s no limit, but it’s best to work in batches.
Q: What do I do if the plugin seems stuck?
A: Use the Cancel button in the progress dialog. For large batches, consider processing smaller groups.
Q: Can I use multiple AutoText templates on the same targets?
A: Yes. Each template creates separate notes for each target record.
Q: Can I edit my notes and templates in the plugin?
A: Yes. Select exactly one note or template and use Notes > View/Edit Selected or press Enter. Be aware that there is a Family Historian limitation that prevents you adding or editing record links or citations within Notes and AutoText, but existing elements will be preserved if you don’t change them.
Q: Can I create new notes and templates?
A: Yes. Use Notes > New… If you create a new item, it will automatically be added to the list of selected items.
Q: Why can't I attach Research Notes to Source Templates?
A: This is a Family Historian limitation, not a plugin restriction.

→ See All Frequently Asked Questions

 

Help content on this page is owned and provided by colevalleygirl, the plugin's author, Calico Pie takes no responsibility for its content.