Free family tree spreadsheet for Excel and Apple Numbers
Record relatives, multiple families and parent relationships in a free family tree workbook, with a pedigree, fan-style ancestor view, family group sheet and research log.
Download the family tree workbook
Download the Excel workbook (.xlsx)
Download the Apple Numbers workbook (.numbers)
Choose the version for your spreadsheet app. Both are blank and ready for your own research, with instructions on the Start tab. You don’t need an account, and the files contain no macros or upload features. Version 1, released 2 November 2026.
What is included?
| Tab | What it does |
|---|---|
| Start | Instructions, starting person, selected family and chart privacy setting |
| People | Names, dates (including uncertain dates), places, living status, parent choices and evidence |
| Families | Family groups, including remarriages and families with an unknown parent |
| Parent links | Child-to-family links, including birth, adoption and foster relationships |
| Research | Questions, source references, findings and next actions |
| Ancestors | A five-generation list that keeps a place for each ancestor, even when their name is unknown |
| Pedigree | A five-generation chart following your chosen parent families |
| Fan | A four-generation fan-style view that updates as you enter your family |
| Family group | Two recorded parents and up to 40 child links for the selected family |
The Fan tab uses rectangular cards arranged around a semicircle. If you’d prefer a fan with curved sections and a printable PDF, try the GEDCOM to PDF tool with an existing GEDCOM file.
How to enter your family
- Open People. Give each person one unique, permanent ID, such as
P001. Enter the facts you know in the yellow cells. Keep unknown details blank. - Open Families. Give each union or parent group an ID, such as
F001, and enter its parent IDs. Use a separate row for a remarriage or a different parent group. Parent numbers do not imply sex. - Open Parent links. Add each child ID and family ID on a row. Choose the relationship type. Record additional birth, adopted or foster families on separate rows.
- In People, set each person’s Chosen parent family and Chosen link type. This controls the lineage followed by the ancestor views while the other relationships remain in the entry tables.
- In Start, enter the starting person’s ID and the family ID to display. The charts and family group sheet update from those choices.
- Review the calculated Review columns for missing references and duplicate IDs. Keep the same person ID when a relative appears on more than one branch.
For example, enter Alex Example as P001, Robin Example as P002 and Casey Example as P003. In Families, create F001 with parents P002 and P003. Link child P001 to F001 in Parent links, and choose F001 in Alex’s People row. These are fictional examples, not data already entered in the download.
Privacy and saving
The view setting hides names and date details for anyone whose status is Living, Unknown or blank. Only people explicitly marked Deceased are shown by default. The relationship structure and record IDs remain visible. Set the privacy option to No only when appropriate.
A filled workbook always contains the original, unmasked entry tables. Masking chart cells does not anonymise the file. Before sharing a chart, export only the relevant sheet to PDF and inspect it. Do not share the filled workbook as a masked copy.
The template has no upload function or external data connections. Your spreadsheet application’s own cloud saving or synchronisation may still apply. Save to a local folder outside iCloud Drive or OneDrive if you want the file to stay on that device.
Capacity and limitations
There is space for 500 people, 300 families, 750 child-to-family links and 200 research entries. Stay within those rows; adding more rows won’t automatically extend all the formulas. You can record separate branches, then choose an ancestor line or family to view. The charts don’t show every relative in one large diagram.
The pedigree and ancestor list show five generations, including the starting person. The fan-style tab shows four. Family group displays the first 40 child links and warns when more exist. The ancestor views stop at five generations. If relationships conflict or loop back on themselves, you’ll need to check them yourself; the workbook can’t verify your research.
Dates are kept as text, so ABT 1890, ranges and other uncertain wording are preserved. The workbook doesn’t use those dates to calculate ages or convert calendars. Long chart labels may need shorter display names or a larger print size; use People for full details.
This is a manual-entry workbook. It does not import or export GEDCOM and cannot be reopened as a project in the converter. The data concepts are informed by the FamilySearch GEDCOM specifications, without claiming GEDCOM compliance.
Excel and Numbers may paginate differently. Check print preview, choose the chart sheet and suitable paper size, and avoid fitting a large chart onto one small page if its text becomes unreadable.