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Export Gedcom File FAQ

This page answers common questions on using this plugin under various circumstances.

Why are all GEDCOM and Media files exported to the same folder?

If GEDCOM files need to be exported to several different destination products, then usually they all share the same Media files. So by using the same folder, these Media files only need to be copied and converted once, saving time and space.

This is why Max image height, Max image width, Use the JPEG file format…, and other Basic Options are Shared Settings for all export modes.

If different Shared Settings are needed for different destination products, use either the Choose Export Folder button to select a different folder, or the Empty Export Folder button to clear the current folder.

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Why do some records seem to take longer to export than others?

This is most likely to apply to Individual (INDI), Source (SOUR), and Multimedia (OBJE) records as they are often linked to Media files, which need copying and Face/Detail Frames require extra processing.

As explained above, this should only affect the first GEDCOM export, unless many Media files have changed in the original Project requiring them to be copied and converted again.

Choose the FULL~LMO or FULL~ABS Basic Options for quicker processing, since Face/Detail Frames do not need converting, or FILE~REL or FILE~ABS where files are not copied at all, but only if the destination product supports those options.

If the destination genealogy product does not require Media images, then exclude them using the WIPE~ALL Basic Option.

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What is the purpose of the ‘Use the JPEG file format…’ option?

By default, each exported Media file uses the same format as its original file, because that is quickest.

However, in some cases, the exported file has the wrong attributes, e.g. negative colours.

The Use the JPEG file format… option forces exported files to use JPEG format, which always works.

So by deleting any files with the wrong attributes, changing the option, and running the plugin again should cure any problems.

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How are the exported Multimedia file names derived?

Each Media file created in the Export folder derives its file name from the original Project Media file name, a unique Face/Detail Frame sequence number, and sometimes the Media Record Id number, which together ensure its name is unique. Full frames and non-image files use the pseudo sequence number 0 zero. Local Media Objects have no record id so use the pseudo record id 0 zero and need a unique file name.

The Part Frame File Naming Format Basic Option offers three naming styles:

  • (PREFIX) Filename Prefix where a name like 5O29 Census.jpg is derived from Frame sequence id 5 for a Media Record with id 29 and file name Census.jpg.
  • (SUFFIX) Filename Suffix where a name like Census 3O18.jpg is derived from Frame sequence id 3 for a Media Record with id 18 and file name Census.jpg.
  • (FOLDER) Sub-folder Name where a name like \[4]\Census.jpg is derived from Frame sequence id 4 for a Media Record with file name Census.jpg that has the advantage of the original file name appearing in the target product media list.

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How can a subset selection of records be exported?

There are two popular methods for selecting a subset of records:

  1. Use File > Project Window > More Tasks… > Copy Project… and in the copy use the File > Split Tree Helper… command to select records.
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  2. Use the File > Import/Export > Export > GEDCOM File… command to Select… a subset of Individual records.
    Ensure the Exclude options are all unticked except Unconnected Records and review the other options.
    Usually Destination: Default, Format: UTF-8, and Media Records: Use Full File Paths will work well.
    After saving in the Public folder, open the standalone GEDCOM file in FH.

Use whatever plugins or other techniques are required to desensitise personal details for living people, etc.

Finally, use the Export Gedcom File plugin for the desired destination products. To ensure the same custom settings are used for every new Project copy or exported GEDCOM file, select the Global ProgramData mode in the Manage Settings tab that saves the settings outside the Project folders.

Exporting a Family Tree with/without Media has more detailed advice for various scenarios especially under Export to Website Without Sensitive Data.

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What causes “The Internet appears to be inaccessible” message?

This plugin checks the Plugin Store for a later version via the Internet. If there is no connection, this message is produced.
While there is no connection, the message is inhibited by all plugins with this feature, until none of them has been run for 10 hours, or one of them detects the connection is restored.
Also, these online Help & Advice pages will be inaccessible.

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Return to the Export Gedcom File main help page.

Plugin Export Gedcom File
Help content on this page is owned and provided by Mike Tate, the plugin's author, Calico Pie takes no responsibility for its content.