Changes

Importing allows you to bring data from other genealogy programs into a GRAMPS Gramps database. Currently, GRAMPS Gramps can import data from the following formats:* GRAMPS Gramps XML (.gramps file extension)* GRAMPS package Gramps XML Package (.gpkg file extension)

{{man note| Importing vs. opening |Please recognize that importing a database is different from opening a database. When you import, you are actually bringing data from one database into a GRAMPS Gramps database. When you open a file, you are editing your original file.}}

To import data, select ''' the menu {{man menu|Family Trees ->Import ''' }} . The '''Import database''' dialog will open, asking you to specify the file you wish to import.

Note that you can only import data into an existing database so if you are transferring all your data from another program or from an older version of GRAMPSGramps, then first create a new empty database and then import the data into it.

{{man warn|Data loss with some formats |It is important to note that the importing process is not perfect for [[Gramps_and_GEDCOM|GEDCOM]] and GeneWeb databases. There is a chance that [[Gramps_and_GEDCOM|some of the data]] in these databases will not be imported into GRAMPSGramps.}}

The GRAMPS Gramps XML, GRAMPS package Gramps XML Package and GRAMPS V2.x database are all native GRAMPS Gramps formats. There is no risk of information loss when importing from or exporting to these formats.

*GRAMPS Gramps XML (.gramps): The GRAMPS Gramps XML file is the standard GRAMPS Gramps data-exchange and backups format, and was also the default working-database format for older (pre 2.x) versions of GRAMPSGramps. Unlike the GRAMPS V2.x grdb format, it is architecture independent and human-readable. The database may also have references to non-local (external) media objects, therefore it is not guaranteed to be completely portable (for full portability including media objects in the GRAMPS Gramps XML package (.gpkg) should be used). The GRAMPS Gramps XML database is created by exporting ( ''' Menu {{man menu|Family Trees ->Export... ''' }}) to that format.

*GRAMPS Gramps XML package (.gpkg): The GRAMPS Gramps XML package is a compressed archive containing the GRAMPS Gramps XML file and all media objects (images, sound files, etc.) to which the database refers. Because it contains all the media objects, this format is completely portable. The GRAMPS Gramps XML package is created by exporting ( ''' Menu {{man menu|Family Trees ->Export... ''' }} ) data in that format.

*GRAMPS V2.x database (.grdb): Prior to Gramps Version 3.3, this native GRAMPS Gramps database format was a specific form of the Berkeley database (BSDDB) with a special structure of data tables. This format was binary and architecture-dependent. It was very quick and efficient, but not generally portable across computers with different binary architecture (e.g. i386 vs. alpha).

If you import information from another GRAMPS Gramps database or GRAMPS Gramps XML database, you will see the progress of the operation in the progress bar of GRAMPS' Gramps main window. When the import finishes, a feedback window shows the number of imported objects. If the imported data originates from the very family tree in which you import the data, the import feedback gives suggestions about what could be merged; the merge is '''not''' done automatically for you. If you want to merge basic genealogy data automatically, consider CSV Spreadsheet Export/Import.

The GRAMPS CSV Spreadsheet format allows importing and exporting of a subset of your GRAMPS Gramps data in a simple spreadsheet format. See [[Gramps 3.3 Wiki Manual - Manage Family Trees: CSV Import and Export|CSV Import and Export]] for more information.