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When conducting genetic genealogy research, it's not uncommon to encounter a lengthy list of data you wish to download from a website onto your computer. Whether you're browsing Ancestry, GEDmatch, or any other platform, extracting this data can be challenging.
But fear not! In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of tables and how you can efficiently obtain information from them, even when no easy download button is available.
The Need for Exporting GEDmatch Data
Tables on platforms like GEDmatch come in various forms, but the process of copying and downloading remains relatively consistent. Whether you're dealing with match lists or other tabled formats, the techniques we'll explore here can be applied universally to multiple websites.
This tutorial for exporting GEDMatch data is best understood by watching this video.
Method 1: Copying with Formatting for Seamless Replication
To copy a table from GEDmatch, you can use your mouse to highlight the desired content. Once selected,
Press "Control + C" to copy it to your clipboard.
Next, find a suitable location to paste the table, such as a Word or Google Sheets text document.
Press "Control + V" to witness the magic as the table is seamlessly replicated, preserving its original format, complete with lines and columns.
Method 2: Pasting Without Formatting for Enhanced Adaptability
If you prefer to paste the table without the original formatting, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability, use the combination of "Control + Shift + V" instead.
This paste operation removes formatting while retaining tab delimiters. Although the pasted content may not resemble a table, it retains its organization into columns and rows, ready for further analysis or conversion into a spreadsheet-friendly format.
Method 3: Directly Pasting into Spreadsheets for Streamlined Analysis
For those who prefer to skip the intermediary step, you can paste the table data directly into a spreadsheet. Open your preferred spreadsheet program and ensure the desired information is in your clipboard.
Then, press "Control + V" to witness the data magically appear in your spreadsheet. Unlike text document paste, the spreadsheet recognizes the table data.
It intelligently organizes it into columns and rows, eliminating extraneous lines for a clean and efficient representation.
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Exploring Copying with and Without Formatting: Retaining Versus Streamlining
Copying with formatting, achieved through "Control + V," not only preserves the table's font sizes but also retains hyperlinks present within the table.
This method proves invaluable when copying data to a spreadsheet, as it preserves the information and the hyperlinks that allow for seamless navigation to related searches and match lists.
On the other hand, choosing to copy without formatting, accomplished by "Control + Shift + V," results in a leaner, tab-delimited file type, ideal for specific purposes.
As the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat, and the same holds true for copying and pasting table information for your research. While the highlighting method explained earlier is effective, there's another technique worth exploring.
Navigating Complex Tables: Overcoming Hurdles for a Complete Extraction
In some cases, particularly with newer versions of tables like the "one to many" table, peculiar behavior may occur during the highlighting process. The title row may prove unselectable, requiring a slight adjustment to your approach.
You can encompass the desired data by starting your selection below the obstinate title row. If necessary, remember to rearrange columns or add column titles for a comprehensive understanding of the extracted information.
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Harnessing the Power of Tables for Genetic Genealogy Research
Congratulations! You've mastered the art of downloading table information from GEDmatch and harnessing its full potential in spreadsheets. Armed with these invaluable skills, you can now manipulate, analyze, and uncover hidden connections within your genealogical data.
Embrace the world of tables, navigate the complexities of data extraction, and embark on a fruitful journey of genetic genealogy exploration. May your efforts yield fascinating insights and forge the links that connect you to your ancestral heritage. Happy researching!
(Note: The methods discussed in this article can be applied to various platforms beyond GEDmatch, offering flexibility in your genetic genealogy endeavors.)