Genealogy Chat

Paul My comments regarding MY PERSONAL view of spreadsheets were not aimed at you at all and I am sincerely sorry if you felt they were. They were meant to be part of a more general discussion, which I can see now was only taking place in my head! I appreciate, and so does everyone else I am sure, that your other, original posting on this subject was done in a spirit of helpfulness - no one is dreaming that you have malicious intent, despite the problems they are having downloading it. Don't let this put you off posting Tips - everyone's tips are always welcome as far as I am concerned. Olde Crone

Paul I'm sure you didn't cause 'offence'. It's a question of 'each to his own' - think of the people who use these boards, from students to OAPs who still like to learn. Life is a learning process after all. I can see you've had numerous accolades for your efforts but noting the number of compliments I'm surprised that yousee queries as 'belittling'. They arose from sheer frustration. And as for contacting you direct - well you appear to have had so many messages I doubt people would have thought to contact you directly about a query. It is after all a 'Tips Board' and naturally receives many enquiries. It's a pity you saw some of the queries/comments as 'belittling'. Most saw your thread as being helpful - but not when it didn't work, and that's why we replied on the Tips Board which is what it's there for.

My apologies again, My intentions from the last comment was to state the benefits of using database software, not to try and stir up trouble. As stated in the my previous post, I made the spreadsheet available to try and help others (as the software had helped me). I have lots of feedback saying that the spreadsheet has helped and does work. Unfortunately I dont have much that says it doesn't, as the people didnt come back to me directly - they used another thread instead (this one). Once againif I could ask people to ask for assistance before they try to belittle somebodys attempt at generosity. Sorry for any offence caused.

Paul My database does indeed look quite amateurish - but a lot more professional than the piles of A4 scrap-paper torn in half and stored in shoeboxes, from which it is generated. As it is for my amusement only, I don't really mind. Olde Crone

I use an Excel spreadsheet for my main lines. but on a chronological basis, so the years are in column A; event columb B; location column C; date column D; names in column E; source column F; notes column G; and so on. The order is optional. You can add columns for each census; certificates; and so on as required. It doesn't have to be Excel, any spreadsheet will do. Any names and their information goes onto the sheet which provides a quick reference as lines are built up. You can colour code the entries to show descendents at a glance.

Just a quick note if I may. Apologies to all that have had problems with the spreadsheet, my intention was to try and make life easier not harder for you all. Also if you can pm with your problems, I will have a look into them for you. With regards to Excel and Microsoft office - These are the most regularly used programs for this type of work, but not the only ones. A simple search for free spreadsheet software on google brings about loads of results. Also with regards to databases, word is a word processor, if you wish to make a database which does not look amateur then Microsft access is the way to go...as this is database software. I hope I haven't caused too much hassle.

Horatia I mean THE COLUMNS AREN'T THERE...... The headings are but not the columms. Still never mind. Going to ditch this one - it's just that I like to learn something new but there are so many confusing comments on this thread I can no longer be bothered to read them. Sorry and all that. I know you meant well but ........... Jill

Jay, GR might be able to get Paul's file from him; but unless ALL GR users have Excel on their PC, they still wouldn't be able to use it. It's nothing to do with Paul's file. It is how people's computers are HANDLING the file. If you don't have the programme that will open the file - THE FILE WON'T OPEN! The free readers you are downloading merely let you VIEW an Excel file they won't let you alter or add to it. You have to BUY Excel either separately or as part of Microsoft Office - then you will be able to view the file without any problems. Cheers, Horatia

Jill, You've lost me now. What do you mean that the columns aren't there? I have columns A, B, C, D and E which all have titles and drop down menus on each cell. When you click into cell B (after entering a name in Column A) a label should come up asking you a question -are you seeing this? This is very difficult to explain without seeing what you are doing, but I am doing the best I can. If you don't have Excel on your PC and are looking at this merely through a downloaded Excel reader you won't be able to do ANYTHING with the spreadsheet. I wish I could see your computer myself and then I might have a better idea what your problem is. Cheers, Horatia

I have to remark, rather gloomily, that I cannot see why you all want an Excel Spreadsheet. I hate them! And, in my opinion, they are only suitable for use by owners of second hand car businesses. They are extremely difficult to view if you have more than about 100 names, or more than 6 or 7 columns. They are a beggar to print out and very wasteful of paper (OK, so I don't have the patience to tidy them up) What I have done is created a database in, um, I think its word. I made up my own templates (dead easy) and it allows me to put in such valuable info as 'this man must have been alive as an adult in 1769' or some such. Whenever I add anything new to this, I sort alphabetically. There is a search this page facility which saves me scrolling through 700+ names. But maybe you have a good reason for wanting a spreadsheet? Olde Crone

Jay I read your 'can I make a suggestion to Paul' and thought 'well I could but they wouldn't print it' !! Did you make your suggestion tongue in cheek or were you serious??? Jill

Horatia Yes I worked out the printing thanks. Do you mean I have to fill in the columns that aren't there and having done so they will show up? Jill

The sheet is meant to be used thus. In column A you type in a name of someone on your family tree. Then you then click into Column B and when you rest the cursor on the cell, a little label appears and asks if you have birth certificate for this person. You then have a drop down box from where you can choose an answer. For example: Yes, No, Ordered, Can't Find etc etc. It does this on each box and you are meant to complete all along each row for every person you wish to include on the list. You then end up with a database of information of certificates you have for each person. When you are finished, you can print your list if you wish, but there is a method for doing this in Excel. You can't just press print. Cheers, Horatia

WELL !!! Betty Boo just sent me her attachment from Paul and it is obvious that mine had no such attachment. I COULD open it - that's a novelty lol - so I tried to print it. Choose which way I tried it only printed out the headings although on the print preview it showed it all. I give up - I could have printed out 5 headings myself. I don't think I've ever seen a thread which, while well received by some, has created more problems than it's worth judging by the latest thread !!! Maybe there's someone out there who will tell me either that I don't need to print it ( I do, for me) or that it's meant NOT to be printed out. It did say 'print' when I opened it up though. As someone once said to me on another thread: 'Is this a wind up?' (Apologies to whoever said it by the way). I'm beginning to wonder I have to say.

If you download excel I think it is just a reader and it is not editable. Try googling for easy office. This is free for personal use

I downloaded the spreadsheet from Paul some months ago...in fact I think I may have started all this by asking if anyone had this programme. It loaded just fine and I had no problem downloading my gedcom to it.....I have had trouble trying to work out how to update the files. ..managed it evetually but don't ask me how !! It's a great programme for 'see at a glance' records though rather than trawling through your tree programme good luck, Sylvia

Hi Richard, It's good to know this and thanks for the instructions. I like to know if these things can be done or not. Sadly it won't help those who don't have Excel on their PC. Cheers, Horatia

I haven't got the spreadsheet in question, but there is a way to convert an Excel file to a Works file. It must be done on a PC with both Excel and Works installed though. Note that you will lose any functionality on the spreadsheet that is Excel-specific (i.e. that is not also supported in Works). This from the Microsoft Help & Support website: http://support.microsoft*com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q102387 Works: Converting an Excel Spreadsheet to a Works Database 1. In the Excel spreadsheet, select the data you want to transfer and choose Set Database from the Data menu. 2. From the File menu, choose Save As. 3. Enter a new name for the file, specify the directory in which you want the file saved (for example, C:\MSWORKS) and choose DBF 3 or DBF 4 from the Save File As Type box. 4. Exit Excel and open Works for Windows. 5. From the File menu, choose Open Existing File. 6. Change to the directory where the file is located, type *.DBF in the File Name box, and press ENTER. 7. Select the file and choose OK. Works for Windows will convert the file automatically to the Works for Windows database format.

I have come across many people who think they have Microsoft Office when they actually have Microsoft Works. The two programmes look remarkably similar. I suspect this is the reason many people are having problems but without seeing people's computer's it is difficult to say. A test would be this. Open up your spreadsheet programme and do a 'Save As' and look at the file type it is going to save the file as. If it says .xls you have Excel (Microsoft Office). If it says .xlr you have Works not Office. Hope this helps. Cheers, Horatia PS You don't need the free viewer if you have Excel already installed. Most PCs come preinstalled with Works rather than Office. However, some PC manufacturers will ask if you would like to have Office as an optional extra, but it usually costs more money to have it.

Well I have Given up on this, after trying about a hundred times and various people e-mailing me with the same problem I thought maybe just maybe we could get it done and dusted tonight . With the great help of Peter, Jill and everone else I still can't solve the problem. I have Microsoft Excel and also have Microsoft Office and I have Excel viewer but nothing is coming together. I hope everyone else has managed to complete this saga but I no longer care. I can live quite well without it. THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR HELP, E-MAILS AND ASSISTANCE.