Excel2GED Files

Readme+ReleaseNotes_Excel2GED_v3.23.11.11.txt

Excel2GED is an Excel spreadsheet with a macro for converting genealogy data into a GEDCOM-formatted text file with a '.ged' file extension. A GEDCOM file is generated by clicking the VBA-coded macro buttons 'Export' or 'Export to GEDCOM' after creating & selecting a recipient folder. That file can then be imported into a genealogy program, with family relationships already defined, BMD data included, and source notes attached.
 
Output has been validated to conform to GEDCOM 5.5.1 by software from https://chronoplexsoftware.com/gedcomvalidator and ShowMeGEDCOM from http://www.familienbande-genealogie.de.
 
Some improved features in version(s) 3: 
Multiple marriages and adopted children are handled correctly.
Same-sex marriages/partnerships and children are accommodated. 
View the 'ReleaseNotes' worksheet for additional details. 

If needed, the spreadsheet protection password is 'x2g'.

Excel2GED 1.0 was first commissioned in 2008 by Paul D. Pruitt. 
Others have volunteered development effort since then.

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Instructions for Getting Started

Download and save files in default folder location C:\Excel2GED. 
Alternately, modify links to media files in the 'Media File Path\Name' column in the 'ListPrep' tab/worksheet to match your folder of choice. 	
		
Open the Excel2GED workbook.  Recommended zoom level: 85%; adjust as needed.
If any button(s) are not visible, zoom in and/or out until they appear. 		
		
Select and delete the sample information in all data cells of the 'ListPrep' tab, starting at spreadsheet row 4. 
(The same data is saved in the 'SampleFams1' tab if you wish to use it again after working w/ your own data.)		
		
Enter your own data, following instructions provided in the 'ListPrepHelp' and 'UserGuide' worksheets. 
Clicking the ""ListPrepHelp"" button (in 'ListPrep') takes you to that help sheet. 		
		
Transfer data in 'ListPrep' to 'Individuals' by clicking on the 'Copy to "Individuals" ' button in 'ListPrep'.		
		
As needed, modify the output destination in cell 'K1' of 'Individuals' tab for a to-be-generated GEDCOM file 
(e.g., filename.ged). The destination folder must already exist before exporting the .ged file. 
		
Click 'Export' or 'Export to GEDCOM' buttons to create a .ged file for data in the 'Individuals' worksheet.		
		
Import the GEDCOM data in the newly created .ged file into a new database using your genealogy program of choice. Note any messages provided by your program related to the import. Depending on which program you use, photo files may need to be identified as such within the program before the image will appear with the individual. Inspect the database with the newly imported individuals and families from the .ged file. 		
		
Released without implementing a password. If needed, suggested spreadsheet protection password: "x2g".		

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Excel2GED Release Notes 

Version - Author - Date 

1.0 - "ILoveCoding" - 2009-04-02		
"Current bug shows all children under last spouse. If you find this to be the case, for now, enter only one partner and fix the problem in your genealogy software. For a man with multiple wives having children with each, enter the first wife as attached to the husband and the second as being initially single until you get into your genealogy program then attach them to the husband. You can also have multiple instances of the same man or woman and merge them later on with the program where you import the gedcom. My apologies for the inconvenience."

2.0 - "HeatPumpGuy" - 2015-08-11
* Multiple spouses and their children are correctly represented. A person with more than one spouse is given multiple adjacent rows, one per spouse.
* Same-sex marriages are legal. Some genealogy programs support this and some do not, but the exported GEDCOM can have two spouses of the same sex.
* Major bug:  the worksheet is password protected by default, password "x2g", but fails to create family relationships correctly until password protection is inactivated.
* Minor bug: even with password protection turned off, it sometimes fails to update family relationships correctly.

2.1 - "HeatPumpGuy" - 2015-08-15
* Same new features as version 2.0: multiple spouses and same-sex marriages are handled correctly.
* Spreadsheet protection is inactivated by default.
* Family relationships are updated correctly.
* No known bugs at this time. We'll see how long that remains.

2.2 - "HeatPumpGuy" - 2015-09-01
* Fixed a bug in the routine that finds all children of each marriage.
* Added some self-diagnostics."

2.3	[ see 2.4 ]		[ Skipped version ]

2.4 - "HeatPumpGuy" - 2016-06-22 [ No "Release Notes" file was included. ]

3.0 - "Brs4Gen" - 2020.1.15  Major issues addressed: 
* Multiple Marriages: Improved processing. 
* Single Parents: Improved linkage with children.  
* Same-sex couples: Children can now be linked to them. 
* Same-sex couples: Export modified for better handling by receiving genealogy programs. 
* Marriage Counselor Codes: More conditions = more feedback.
* NOTEs and SOURces export: Removed unwanted letter at end; corrections to conform to GEDCOM spec, preserving word wrap. 
* Submitter: Entry template added for preparer information. 
* More conditional formatting added (colored cell fills). 
* Explanatory comments added for VBA code and cell formulas. 
* Tab names: Family Names > Individuals; Family > FamilyGroups
* Modifications to better conform to GEDCOM 5.5.1 standard.
* Worksheet Protection can be used with or without a password.

3.20.5.25 - "Brs4Gen" - 2020-05-25		
* GEDCOM output now has intended UTF-8-BOM encoding (vs ANSI). 
* Improved processing speed. Progress feedback for user added. 
* Clarifications/corrections to VBA code comments. 
* Pop-up prompts added to some data entry cells. 

3.20.6.10 - "Brs4Gen" - 2020-06-10		
* Bug Fix: Potential for last marriage link to be corrupted.

3.20.12.30 - "Brs4Gen" - 2020-12-30
* Added: Christening, Burial, Prefix, Suffix, User ID, FS ID.
* More Conditional Formatting for Father, Mother, Spouse IDs.

3.23.11.11- "Brs4Gen" - 
* Sources/Citations (primitive, but) now exported correctly.
* Separate columns: Notes, Source, Citation, Media details.
* Six new columns for additional user-selected data types. 
* Template popup implemented for option to view/edit data. 
* Data entry in 'ListPrep' sheet; auto-copy to 'Individuals'.
* Workbook saved as a binary (.xlsb) file to reduce its size.