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Analyze GEDCOM files

Updated27 October 2025

Genealogical Data Analysis analyzes GEDCOM files to identify errors and anomalies, enable searches for duplicates, ascendants, descendants and isolated individuals, and organize searches for missing or unsourced information.

The analysis checks :

  • whether information on events (births, baptisms, marriages, deaths and funerals) is present;
  • the validity of the information provided, particularly for dates ;
  • the consistency of the information.
Tip
The checks and consistency controls performed during the analysis take into account the choices and values indicated in the options(see Options). If the options are modified, a new analysis must be performed

Analyze a GEDCOM file

The GEDCOM files added to the list of monitored files can be analyzed:

  • on request (punctually).
  • or automatically when added.

Spot analysis of a GEDCOM file

To analyze a GEDCOM file, display the Genealogical Data Analysis main window and select a file from the list, then :

  • either use the “Analysis” menu / “Analyze selected GEDCOM file” option;
  • or use the button in the banner;
  • or right-click on the list and select the “Analyze GEDCOM file” option.

The analysis window appears:

Genealogical Data Analysis - Analyzing a GEDCOM file
Genealogical Data Analysis – Analyzing a GEDCOM file

Confirm by clicking on the “Analyze GEDCOM file” button.

The GEDCOM file is now analyzed.

Remarque
The file is not analyzed if its content has not been modified since the last analysis. This behavior can be modified(Cf. options) to be able to analyze a GEDCOM file again if the options have been modified while the GEDCOM file has not been modified
Remarque
At the end of an analysis, the analysis results window may be displayed automatically. This behavior can be modified(see Options)

Analysis of a GEDCOM file when added

Genealogical Data Analysis lets you choose the behavior to adopt when adding a GEDCOM file(see Options).

Genealogical Data Analysis can :

  • offer to analyze the data (if the GEDCOM file has just been added, or if it has been updated since its last analysis) ;
  • analyze the GEDCOM file even if it has not been updated since its last analysis;
  • or leave the choice up to you by asking the question.
Remarque
This choice has no influence on the behavior of Genealogical Data Analysis for the automatic addition of GEDCOM files when the application is launched(Cf. options). Genealogical Data Analysis does not analyze automatically added GEDCOM files when they are added

Modify the way data is analyzed

Genealogical Data Analysis lets you select the data to be analyzed (or ignored) and the values to be used.

Select data for analysis

Options can be modified to influence the analysis.

  • You can choose to analyze all events or only certain events.
  • You can also choose how to take into account incomplete dates (with no date or month indicated).
Remarque
Data are analyzed – or ignored – according to the choices indicated in the options. If the options are changed, a new analysis must be performed
Tip
Not analyzing all the data saves time and makes it easier to focus on certain events, for example.
Remarque
This feature should not be confused with the filters used when displaying results with the explorer, or the search for duplicates, ascendants and descendants. If data is not analyzed, it cannot be displayed in the results explorer or used for searches. On the other hand, the use of filters only affects the display of data

Select values to be used

You can also select the values to be used for consistency checks, for example the minimum age of the father and mother at the person’s birth. If the age is lower than this value, the information will be displayed as an “alert”.

Remarque
Checks and consistency checks take into account the choices and values indicated in the options. If the options are modified, a new analysis must be performed

Display of the analysis results after adding the GEDCOM file.

Genealogical Data Analysis lets you choose how to behave after adding a GEDCOM file(see options).

Remarque
This last choice is particularly useful for immediately displaying the results explorer or doing searches
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