# Diagramming a family tree for the absolute novice

**URL:** <https://gramps.discourse.group/t/diagramming-a-family-tree-for-the-absolute-novice/1792>\
**Category:** Genealogy\
**Tags:** novice\
**Created:** [September 3, 2021, 5:00am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/diagramming-a-family-tree-for-the-absolute-novice/1792 "2021-09-03T05:00:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 5

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**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2021, 10:41pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/diagramming-a-family-tree-for-the-absolute-novice/1792/5 "2021-09-28T22:41:09Z")

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> [@emyoulation](#):
>
> I’m always exasperated when I see responses to a Facebook posting from an absolute beginner asking how to simply create a basic family tree.
> 
> So many people tell them to use Word (or Excel) and just start! Others tell them to buy software … when the person can’t recognize the right tool for their need.

Matt Kemmer replied:

> [@Novice user UX proposed solution](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/novice-user-ux-proposed-solution/1832/1):
>
> Gramps is difficult for beginners unfortunately. It probably takes them up to a few hours just to add closely related family members, the ancestors back to great-grandparents and generate some reports. All the different editor windows needed in the process further confuse beginners. I don’t know what could be changed to make Gramps easier, but the steep learning curve is definitely stopping many beginners from using Gramps.
> 
> Word and Excel have the advantage to be known widely and a simple list of close relatives and ancestors including names, dates and places can be created quickly. Great for starting, but useless for any larger tree.
> 
> Other programs and tools might just have a fraction of features compared to Gramps, but a flatter learning curve which makes them more attractive for beginners.

_Moved too many postings to the new thread. Restoring one the hard way. (via quoting)_

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