Menu
Features How It Works Sign in Create account

How it works

From GEDCOM file to interactive family tree chart in three steps.

1

Export your GEDCOM file

GEDCOM (.ged) is the universal file format for genealogy data. Every major genealogy tool supports it. Here is where to find the export option in the most popular platforms:

Ancestry.com

Go to your tree, click the tree name in the top-left corner, select "Tree Settings," then look for "Export Tree" under the "Manage your tree" section. Ancestry will prepare the file for download — this can take a few minutes for larger trees.

FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch does not have a direct full-tree export, but you can use third-party tools like GEDCOM Exporter for FamilySearch or export through linked desktop software like RootsMagic.

Gramps (desktop software)

Open your family tree in Gramps, go to File → Export, select "GEDCOM" as the format, and save. Gramps produces clean, standards-compliant GEDCOM files that work well with GenoPlot.

RootsMagic

Go to File → Export, choose GEDCOM as the output format, and follow the prompts. RootsMagic gives you options for which data to include — for the best results, export everything.

MyHeritage

From your family tree page, click the tree name, go to "Manage trees," select your tree, then choose "Export to GEDCOM." MyHeritage will email you a download link.

Other tools

Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker, Brothers Keeper, Personal Ancestral File, and most other genealogy tools support GEDCOM export through their File or Export menus. If you can get a .ged file, you are good to go.

2

Upload to GenoPlot

If you do not have an account yet, create one for free. We use magic link authentication, so there is no password to remember — just enter your email and click the link we send you.

Once logged in, click "Add a Tree" in the navigation bar. You will see two fields:

  • •Tree Name — A label to help you identify this tree. Use whatever makes sense to you: "Mom's side," "Johnson family," "Full tree as of 2025." You can upload multiple trees, so pick names that help you tell them apart.
  • •GEDCOM File — Select the .ged file you exported in step one.

Click "Create" and your file is uploaded. GenoPlot starts parsing your data and generating the visualization.

3

Explore your family tree

When processing is complete, your tree appears in the interactive viewer. The entire family is rendered as one continuous chart:

  • •Zoom in to read individual names, dates, and details
  • •Zoom out to see the full scope of your pedigree across generations
  • •Pan by clicking and dragging (or swiping on mobile) to move around the tree

The viewer uses the same pan-and-zoom technology as online maps, so it should feel immediately familiar. There are no pages to click through or branches to expand — your entire tree is right there.

What if my tree is still processing?

Larger trees take more time. While processing is underway, your tree list shows it as "pending" and the tree view page displays a progress notice. You will get an email as soon as the visualization is ready — no need to keep refreshing.

Tips for the best results

  • •Include as much data as possible in your GEDCOM export — the more complete the file, the more detailed the chart.
  • •If your tree has data quality issues (duplicate people, broken links), clean those up in your source tool before exporting. GenoPlot visualizes what is in the file.
  • •Try uploading different branches of your family as separate trees to compare them side by side.

Get started now

You probably already have a GEDCOM file. Upload it and see what your tree looks like.

Create a free account