# Permission error when generating narrated web site

**URL:** <https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511>\
**Category:** Help\
**Tags:** websolutions\
**Created:** [June 13, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511 "2022-06-13T13:40:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 15\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ricks99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/ricks99/32/1883_2.png) [@ricks99](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/ricks99)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/1 "2022-06-13T13:40:46Z")

</div>

Hi!

I’ve been using Gramps for a few weeks – so I’m a total noob.

Details:

- Gramps 5.1.5-1
- Windows 10

When I try to generate a narrated web site, I’m getting the following error:

```auto
196735: ERROR: narrativeweb.py: line 1516: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'c:\\users\\rick\\.'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Program Files\GrampsAIO64-5.1.5\gramps\plugins\webreport\narrativeweb.py", line 1513, in copy_file
    shutil.copyfile(from_fname, dest)
  File "AIO/shutil.py", line 120, in copyfile
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'c:\\users\\rick\\.'

```

I’m a little confused, as I’ve selected a different **Destination** for the output (that is fully writable) – why is Gramps still looking for the **c:\users\rick**? I’m running Gramps as an Administrator.

After the error appears, I select **Cancel** a few times, and the output continues.

What am I doing wrong, and how can I avoid the error?

Thanks!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DaveSch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/davesch/32/40_2.png) [@DaveSch](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/DaveSch)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 3:50pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/2 "2022-06-13T15:50:17Z")

</div>

> [@ricks99](#):
>
> `c:\\users\\rick\\.'`

It looks like you added a period `(.)` to the destination folder. **`c:\users\rick\.`**

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ricks99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/ricks99/32/1883_2.png) [@ricks99](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/ricks99)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/3 "2022-06-13T15:58:50Z")

</div>

But as I said previously, that directory _ **is not** _ what I’m using:

![GrampsError](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/gramps/original/2X/c/c876ab8509bcd0f7109ebb94e8d4e0e206d3399e.png)

I don’t understand why it is using `c:\\users\\rick\\.` at all. Gramps should be using the directory shown above, right?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jacrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@jacrider](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/jacrider)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/4 "2022-06-13T16:54:28Z")

</div>

The Narrative Web stores the chosen directory and other settings in an  
initialization file. On my Linux system, at least some of the settings  
are stored in ~/gramps/gramps51/gramps.ini, so you will get an error if  
you don’t have permission to create or modify the initialization file.

Allen Crider

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 13, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/5 "2022-06-13T18:27:16Z")

</div>

> [@ricks99](#):
>
> But as I said previously, that directory _ **is not** _ what I’m using:

I believe that the `C:\Users\<username>` is also utilized for for creating a temp directory where parts of the report can be compounded and collated. Sub-directories there _should_ be always writable by the user.

But the error message gives the impression that it dropped the filename from the OS action.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ricks99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/ricks99/32/1883_2.png) [@ricks99](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/ricks99)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/6 "2022-06-13T20:27:11Z")

</div>

I can confirm that my **C:\Users\Rick** directory _is_ definitely writable. I can generate other reports (e.g., Ancestral Report) report to that location.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SNoiraud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/snoiraud/32/72_2.png) [@SNoiraud](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/SNoiraud)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 10:15am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/7 "2022-06-14T10:15:39Z")

</div>

> [@emyoulation](#):
>
> I believe that the `C:\Users\<username>` is also utilized for for creating a temp directory where parts of the report can be compounded and collated.

This is only true for the dynamicweb. The narrativeweb creates the tar on the fly.

Can you provide the following file: `report_options.xml` which is normally in the `$HOME/.gramps` directory on UNIX systems and on `C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\gramps\report_options.xml` on windows

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ricks99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/ricks99/32/1883_2.png) [@ricks99](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/ricks99)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 11:30am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/8 "2022-06-14T11:30:34Z")

</div>

> This is only true for the dynamicweb. The narrativeweb creates the tar on the fly.

I am _ **not** _ using the **Store web pages in .tar.gz archive**.

Here’s the `newweb` section of the `report_options.xml` (I’ve been experimenting with all the report types, so it is also filled with everything else):

```python
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<options>
<last-common>
  <format name="html"/>
</last-common>
...
<module name="navwebpage MY TREE NAME">
  <option name="ancestortree" value="True"/>
  <option name="archive" value="False"/>
  <option name="birthorder" value="True"/>
  <option name="caluri" value="/WEBCAL"/>
  <option name="citationreferents" value="Outline"/>
  <option name="cmsuri" value="/NAVWEB"/>
  <option name="contactimg" value=""/>
  <option name="contactnote" value=""/>
  <option name="coordinates" value="False"/>
  <option name="create_thumbs_only" value="True"/>
  <option name="cright" value="7"/>
  <option name="css" value="default"/>
  <option name="date_format" value="1"/>
  <option name="dl_descr1" value="Smith Family Tree"/>
  <option name="dl_descr2" value="Johnson Family Tree"/>
  <option name="down_fname1" value="C:\Users\rick\"/>
  <option name="down_fname2" value="C:\Users\rick\"/>
  <option name="encoding" value="UTF-8"/>
  <option name="ext" value=".html"/>
  <option name="extrapage" value=""/>
  <option name="extrapagename" value=""/>
  <option name="familymappages" value="False"/>
  <option name="filter" value="0"/>
  <option name="footernote" value=""/>
  <option name="gallery" value="True"/>
  <option name="googlemapkey" value=""/>
  <option name="googleopts" value="FamilyLinks"/>
  <option name="graphgens" value="5"/>
  <option name="headernote" value=""/>
  <option name="homeimg" value=""/>
  <option name="homenote" value=""/>
  <option name="inc_addressbook" value="False"/>
  <option name="inc_events" value="False"/>
  <option name="inc_families" value="False"/>
  <option name="inc_gendex" value="False"/>
  <option name="inc_id" value="0"/>
  <option name="inc_places" value="False"/>
  <option name="inc_repository" value="False"/>
  <option name="inc_sources" value="False"/>
  <option name="inc_stats" value="False"/>
  <option name="incdownload" value="False"/>
  <option name="incl_private" value="False"/>
  <option name="introimg" value=""/>
  <option name="intronote" value=""/>
  <option name="linkhome" value="False"/>
  <option name="living_people" value="99"/>
  <option name="mapservice" value="OpenStreetMap"/>
  <option name="maxinitialimageheight" value="600"/>
  <option name="maxinitialimagewidth" value="800"/>
  <option name="name_format" value="1"/>
  <option name="navigation" value="Horizontal"/>
  <option name="notes" value="True"/>
  <option name="pid" value="I328692713"/>
  <option name="placemappages" value="False"/>
  <option name="prevnext" value="True"/>
  <option name="reference_sort" value="True"/>
  <option name="relation" value="False"/>
  <option name="securesite" value="False"/>
  <option name="showbirth" value="True"/>
  <option name="showdeath" value="False"/>
  <option name="showhalfsiblings" value="False"/>
  <option name="showparents" value="False"/>
  <option name="showpartner" value="False"/>
  <option name="target" value="E:\Rick Geneology\tree"/>
  <option name="title" value="MY TITLE HERE"/>
  <option name="trans" value="default"/>
  <option name="unused" value="True"/>
  <option name="usecal" value="False"/>
  <option name="usecms" value="False"/>
  <option name="years_past_death" value="0"/>
  <format name="html"/>
  <style name="default"/>
</module>
</options>

```

I see the `down_fname` options with the directory in question. Do I need to change them? (Although I don’t fully understand why – as the directory _ **is** _ writable.)

Thanks,

-R

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SNoiraud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/snoiraud/32/72_2.png) [@SNoiraud](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/SNoiraud)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/9 "2022-06-14T12:28:02Z")

</div>

> [@ricks99](#):
>
> I see the `down_fname` options with the directory in question.

I think this is not the problem because the include download page is not selected:

```python
<option name="incdownload" value="False"/>

```

What is the name of your database ?  
Do you have others \<module name="navwebpage …\> sections ?

The section name in the report\_options.xml is generated like that : “narrativeweb” = " " + “database\_name”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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 14, 2022, 12:43pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/10 "2022-06-14T12:43:53Z")

</div>

@ricks99 Rick,

If you’re uncomfortable posting your entire `report_options.xml` file, how about using the Private Messaging on this forum to send it to @SNoiraud Serge? (You might have to ZIP it to successfully attach.)

Because this is a chunky format, you might have to iteratively (and frustratingly) respond a multitude of times if you only send the chunks that SEEM to be related.

Serge can still respond here so that this thread helps built our support knowledgebase.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ricks99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/ricks99/32/1883_2.png) [@ricks99](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/ricks99)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 1:26pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/11 "2022-06-14T13:26:57Z")

</div>

I have only a single **navwebpage** section.

From @emyoulation 's suggestion, I’m going to PM my complete `reports_options.xml` to you, and we can take this offline. When resolved, you can summarize the issue here.

Thanks, all!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ricks99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/ricks99/32/1883_2.png) [@ricks99](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/ricks99)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 1:38pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/12 "2022-06-14T13:38:31Z")

</div>

So, this will (surely) be a stupid question, but how in the world do I compse a new message? On my [The Gramps Project (Discourse Forum & Mailing List)](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/ricks99/messages) page, there’s no obvious **Create/Send new message** button?

And on @SNoiraud 's profile page ([The Gramps Project (Discourse Forum & Mailing List) - Collecting our past.](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/snoiraud/)) I can’t find any sort of **Send me a message** link?

Sorry for being so dense. ☹

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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 14, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/13 "2022-06-14T13:44:39Z")

</div>

Every system is different. So don’t worry about asking questions.

I click on the avatar on one of the person’s responses in the thread. A dialog appears that has a “Message” button. This opens a message editor with the originating thread quoted.

 ![Screenshot_20220614-084549](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/gramps/original/2X/b/ba11f226f7fed021f5ac881602ebdef03a269256.png)

I’ve started a PM thread with you, Serge & me. Feel free to start your own instead. (I tend to aggravate people, so it might be a good idea.)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ricks99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/ricks99/32/1883_2.png) [@ricks99](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/ricks99)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 1:52pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/14 "2022-06-14T13:52:18Z")

</div>

Thanks for the pointer (I’ve responded to the PM).

FWIW, when I click your (or anyone’s avatar), I **do not** see the big, blue **Message** button. 🫤

![grampsMessage](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/gramps/original/2X/6/6319eccf4fbdfdc3860d9b8a6e17eddb459c20d6.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 14, 2022, 2:02pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/permission-error-when-generating-narrated-web-site/2511/15 "2022-06-14T14:02:33Z")

</div>

> [@ricks99](#):
>
> FWIW, when I click your (or anyone’s avatar), I **do not** see the big, blue **Message** button. 🫤

Ahhh. Your account here on Discourse is only a day old. It still has anti-SPAMbot restrictions. I will bump your 30 day probation.