# Gramps isn't very beginner friendly **URL:** \ **Category:** Help\ **Tags:** novice\ **Created:** [June 16, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843 "2025-06-16T20:41:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![turtlecat77](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/turtlecat77/32/6200_2.png) [@turtlecat77](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/turtlecat77)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843/1 "2025-06-16T20:41:24Z")
Trying to get the hang of the basics, the trouble is so many options are front-loaded that it’s not that straightforward to work out. When trying to just input basic information, it’s just a sea of buttons and panels. Instead, perhaps consider feature prioritisation? Not every user is going to be an expert in this field. 1. User wants to add member to family tree 2. Basic information, name, DOB, date of death if applicable, spouses, children 3. Then media such as photos of person Maybe by having a simple mode that would make it more user friendly for beginners? ---
**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:** [June 16, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843/2 "2025-06-16T21:06:41Z")
You probably want to try the [Data Entry Addon](https://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php/Addon:DataEntryGramplet). Gramps designed for very deliberate and flexible entry over speed of entry. But @dsblank wanted something for quick entry of vital stats. So that’s why he created the addon. He also created the [Import Text Gramplet](https://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php/Addon:Import_Text_Gramplet) for another alternate quick data entry of CSV (or TSV) data. ---
**Author:** ![turtlecat77](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/turtlecat77/32/6200_2.png) [@turtlecat77](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/turtlecat77)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843/3 "2025-06-16T21:43:29Z")
I’m trying to work out how to add it, but it feels like I’m going round in circles here. It does not show in the add-ons list or plugins list. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843/4 "2025-06-16T21:51:51Z")
Both were set to be “Expert” audience addons. Once installed, add the Gramplet to the Person sidebar. These gramplets are also more convenient to use when Undocked/Detached. That’s because you can switch View categories, browse around and still have the Gramplet on a 2nd screen. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/gramps/original/2X/c/c05d8b553582344ea4e19f546c60285b5d0616c7.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/gramps/original/2X/c/c46403e62bd2555bb31bcd423c665054ce0d6dc3.png) ---
**Author:** ![turtlecat77](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/turtlecat77/32/6200_2.png) [@turtlecat77](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/turtlecat77)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843/5 "2025-06-16T21:57:32Z")
Thank you, I’ve added it ---
**Author:** ![stuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@stuck](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/stuck)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 9:03am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843/6 "2025-06-17T09:03:37Z")
> [@turtlecat77](#): > > Trying to get the hang of the basics, the trouble is… It took me a while to get going too but I’m glad I persevered. I’m still only scratching the surface of the power of Gramps and finding I’ve done things in a less than optimal way but I don’t mind. I’m not a serious genealogist, I’m doing this for fun in my retirement. > [@turtlecat77](#): > > it’s just a sea of buttons and panels. Yes, it can feel like that so if you think a more graphical approach would help you then investigate @ztlxltl’s Family Tree View addon: > **[GitHub - ztlxltl/FamilyTreeView: A third-party addon for Gramps providing a...](https://github.com/ztlxltl/FamilyTreeView)** > > A third-party addon for Gramps providing a navigable tree representation of ancestors, descendants and other related persons. It is technically still in beta but I’ve never found it unstable. Initial installation requires you to follow the instructions in this section of the readme: > **[GitHub - ztlxltl/FamilyTreeView: A third-party addon for Gramps providing a...](https://github.com/ztlxltl/FamilyTreeView?tab=readme-ov-file#making-gramps-aware-of-the-pre-builds)** > > A third-party addon for Gramps providing a navigable tree representation of ancestors, descendants and other related persons. I hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![bjc49](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/bjc49/32/316_2.png) [@bjc49](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/bjc49)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843/7 "2025-06-17T14:19:55Z")
After several years of using Gramps software, I realized that the most accessible way to explain how to create a family tree in Gramps was a graphical approach. The Graphview view, using context menus (right-click) on the Individual (rectangle) or Relationship (ellipse) boxes, allows direct access to the Individual, Family, Event, and other editors, without any hassle, with an instant visualization of what you’ve entered. This is my working view. Also, don’t forget its powerful search bar at the top, which allows you to find your way around as the number of individuals increases. The other essential view is the Relationship view. The “Combined” tab, for example, uses Events to check the completeness of entries made for the active individual (events, sources, citations, associated media, etc.) on a single screen. For me, it’s the most concise view in one click of Gramps without opening multiple windows or calling other plugins. Really great. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/gramps/original/1X/2ac1e712b7adf612e31ca08a55419f4cf37c0158.png) [@system](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-isnt-very-beginner-friendly/7843/8 "2025-07-17T14:20:31Z")
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