Introduction

Named Lists are probably the most under used and misunderstood functionsA 'function' is an expression which returns values based on computations. Typically, functions require data to be supplied to them as 'parameters'. A function in Family Historian is similar to a 'function' as used in spreadsheet applications (such as MS in Family Historian, perhaps because they can be used in so many ways. For example:

• Quick access to the prime members of your tree
• Research/To Do List of Actions for a RepositoryA repository is a place (physical or online) where collections of original source data are stored and maintained.
• List of data requiring review
• List of ‘on order’ information
• List of people to delete from your tree
• List of SourcesSource: "where information was found". This could be anything from an archive in a county records office, a book, or even a relative's recorded recollection. Citing your Sources helps to show how you reached a particular conclusion about an Individual. which need scans added
• List of Pictures, which need editing or re-scanning
• Marking individuals to display in a diagram/display in a particular way.

Named Lists and Record FlagsRecord Flags are a way of marking an Individual record. have some uses in common, as you can see from the chapter on Named Lists and Record Flags in “Getting the Most from Family Historian”.  However, as explained below, Named Lists have many more features than Record Flags.

Using Named Lists

To view or hide Named Lists:

• Use  View > Named Lists and select a Named List; or
• Open the Records WindowThe Records Window provides a comprehensive view of all the information stored within a Family Historian project. and use Lists > Named Lists Pane;  or
• Click the Named Lists Pane button.

To create a Named List, use the Lists > New Named List command, or right-click an empty part of the Named List Pane and choose New List…

Once you have created a Named List, right-click on its name and you will see more options.

Adding Records to a List

Manually

In the Records Window select both the desired records and the named list, then:

• Use Lists > Add to Selected Named List; or
• Click the Add to Current List button; or
• Press the F4 key.

Using a Query

In the Result Set tab, use the Query Menu Add Row Records to Named List command to add all the records.

Alternatively, select specific records and use the Query Menu Add Selected Cell Records to Named List command.

Using the Linked Records View

Select one record and use View > Record Links . In the Record Links dialogue, optionally select a subset of the records, and click the  icon in bottom left corner to use the Add All/Selection to Named List command.

Removing Records from a List

Manually

In the Named List of Records, select those to be removed, then press the DELETE key or use Edit > Delete, and take heed of the warning message.

To remove all the Records, select the list name in the Named List Pane and use Lists > Empty Named List, or right-click the list name and choose the Empty List option, but there is no warning message.

Using a Query

In the Result Set tab, use the Query Menu > Remove Row Records from Named List to remove all the records found by the query.

Tips and Tricks

Record Notes Pane

The unlabeled pane below the Records list allows notes to be added to each record that only apply to the list. For example, they can be used to explain why the record is in the list.

The size of this notes pane and the two panes above can be adjusted by left-click & drag on the horizontal and vertical borders of the panes.

List Properties

Select a Named List and use Lists > Named Lists Properties or right-click and choose List Properties to see its details.

The List Name may be as long and as descriptive as you like.

The List Note can explain the purpose of the list in greater detail.

For a more visible explanation of purpose, add a dedicated Note record to the top of the Named List, and in its note pane at the bottom add a detailed description.

Keep Current List Order

To retain the records in a Named List in a particular order, select the list and use Lists  or right-click and choose Keep Current List Order.

The records can be rearranged at any time by clicking on column headings, but when the list is opened again the records will return to the preserved order.

Named List Report

Use Publish > Miscellaneous Reports > List Report and choose the Named List required. This only lists the Record Names & Record IdEvery record in Family Historian has a numeric Record ID, which uniquely identifies it within its type of record., plus their list Notes if any, but not any Configured Columns. To include all such columns see how to Customise or Print Records Window Columns.

Using a List in a Query

In a Query Window on the Rows tab use the List tab, or use the =IsInList() function.

Using a List in a Diagram

In a Diagram Window open the Options and on the Text or Boxes tab use the =IsInList() function in conditional expressions.

See Using Named Lists to Mark a Diagram (Animated Tutorial) for more detail.

Deleting a List