Step by step
- Open your tree and choose "File" → "Export". If a message appears, click "Continue" (Windows) or "OK" (Mac).
- Choose who to include: "Entire file", "Selected individuals" or a "Saved filter".
- Under "Output format", choose "GEDCOM".
- Tick the options you want — for example "Privatize living people", "Private facts" and "Private notes".
- If you like, choose "Export as password-protected ZIP file" and enter a password twice. It can't be recovered, so keep it safe.
- Click "OK" (Windows) or "Export" (Mac), choose where to save the file and click "Save".
Labels in quotes are copied from Family Tree Maker's help pages; if a screen looks different, those pages are the reference.
What the file carries
- The people you chose, with their facts and relationships.
- With "Privatize living people", the names and relationships of living people are exported but their facts are not.
What it leaves out
- Images, audio and video: the 2024 guide says they can't be included in a GEDCOM file. Add your photos to 7gens after the import.
Good to know
- To export a single branch, right-click a person in the People workspace (Control-click on a Mac) and choose "Export Branch".
- Older versions (Family Tree Maker 2017 and earlier) show an extra "Export to GEDCOM" window with the destination and character set.