# Saving filters when before upgrading

**URL:** <https://gramps.discourse.group/t/saving-filters-when-before-upgrading/1762>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [August 23, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/saving-filters-when-before-upgrading/1762 "2021-08-23T15:21:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![eugene](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/eugene/32/1911_2.png) [@eugene](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/eugene)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/saving-filters-when-before-upgrading/1762/1 "2021-08-23T15:21:38Z")

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Hello all,  
I am looking for a way to save my filters before installing a new version of Gramps.  
I created quite a few handy filters, and would like to move them over.

Thank you very much,  
Eugène

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**Author:** ![GeorgeWilmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@GeorgeWilmes](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/GeorgeWilmes)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/saving-filters-when-before-upgrading/1762/2 "2021-08-23T15:42:43Z")

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As explained in the [wiki](https://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php/Gramps_5.1_Wiki_Manual_-_Filters#Custom_Filters):

**Custom Filter migration**

Keep your collection of custom filters through a minor updates of Gramps (e.g., from version 5.0.x to 5.1.x) by manually copying your _custom\_filter.xml_ from [Gramps User Directory](https://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php/Gramps_User_Directory) to the corresponding directory in new _gramps\_version\_number_ .

Even minor upgrades (e.g., from a 5.0.x to a 5.1.x version) may include format changes since the recent innovation of add-on rules are causing rapid evolution in Filters. So porting filters in this manner requires verification that the XML definitions haven’t changed. Also, Add-on rules may have to be installed in the new upgrade before copied custom filters will work safely.

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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:** [August 23, 2021, 3:53pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/saving-filters-when-before-upgrading/1762/3 "2021-08-23T15:53:06Z")

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I like to make the `custom_filter.xml` into one of my Media objects too. Then copy the filter definitions into a Note for that object.

(You have to trick Gramps into that. It doesn’t want to browse to that Gramps User Directory. So I add ANY pic and, after it has been saved, then edit the path to paste in the filename/path I really wanted.)

So, should I accidentally mangle a custom filter, I can restore just that single filter from the collection in Notes

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**Author:** ![eugene](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/eugene/32/1911_2.png) [@eugene](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/eugene)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 6:04am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/saving-filters-when-before-upgrading/1762/4 "2021-08-24T06:04:40Z")

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Thank you very much.  
I know what to do now!

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/gramps/original/1X/2ac1e712b7adf612e31ca08a55419f4cf37c0158.png) [@system](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/system)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 6:04am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/saving-filters-when-before-upgrading/1762/5 "2021-09-23T06:04:43Z")

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