Family Tree Maker (FTM) assists you in maintaining your family history through images, documents, and other media files. At times, such media files become unlinked when they are moved, renamed, or placed in a different folder. In this case, the program may indicate a broken link or missing file. To solve this, you will be required to relink the media files. This tutorial will describe how to relink media in Family Tree Maker in easy steps.
Steps to Relink Media in Family Tree Maker
If your media files are not linked in Family Tree Maker, use the following steps to link them again:
- Open Family Tree Maker:- Launch the Family Tree Maker program and open your family tree file where the media files have to be relinked.
- Go to the Media Workspace:- Click on the “Media” tab to see all your media files in the tree.
- Find the Missing Media:- Look for files highlighted by a broken link, usually in the form of a red “X” or empty thumbnail. This means that the software cannot find the file.
- Relink the Media File:-
- Right-click the missing file and select “Relink Media.”
- A window to browse the file will open. Find the file on your computer.
- Select the proper file and click on “Open” or “OK” in order to associate it again.
- Check the Relinked File:- After relinking, check to see that the file is appearing correctly in the Media workspace. Also, check to see that it is attached to the proper person or event in your tree.
Tips for Keeping Media Files Linked
- Store All Media Files in One Folder: Place all media files in one folder, e.g., “Family Tree Media,” so that if files are relocated, broken links won’t occur.
- Back Up Frequently: Duplicate your family tree and media files to prevent loss of vital information.
- Utilize Relative Paths: Certain editions of Family Tree Maker enable you to use relative paths, so it’s simpler to relocate your files without having broken links.
What to Do If Media Links Remain Broken?
If your media files are still not working after relinking, try these steps:
- Check if the file has been deleted or renamed.
- If you use Family Tree Maker with Ancestry, ensure that the media is properly uploaded to your Ancestry tree.
- If required, re-import the media files and manually attach them to the correct people.
Conclusion
Resorting media files in Family Tree Maker is easy and ensures your family history is intact. Follow these quick steps to easily repair broken links and avoid future issues. Keeping your files in order, backing up your information, and having the proper settings will keep your family records secure for years to come.
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