How to Make a Family Tree on Word

A family tree is a primary tool used to visualize the ancestry or hierarchy of one's family. A single box represents a single person, and the boxes are connected and labeled with relationships. Generally, a generation is described at the same level, which makes it easier to track a particular person. The purpose of a family tree is to document a family lineage.

You can make a family tree in Word and Edraw Max. This article will explain the step-to-step procedure about how to make a family tree on Word and Edraw Max. Let's learn the process of how to create a family tree in Word.

How would you like to create your Family Tree?

How to Make a Family Tree on Word


It is easy to learn how to create a family tree in Word, and you just need to follow the steps detailed below.

Step 1 – Open MS Word and select SmartArt Graphics

Open Microsoft Word on your computer. SmartArt graphics can be used to create family trees in Microsoft Word. From the Insert menu, go to the SmartArt Graphics in the Illustrations. A family tree can be represented in a hierarchy template, choose a suitable template from the Hierarchy SmartArt Graphics.

Smartart graphic hierachy

Step 2 – Enter the names

From the editing box, enter the name of family members. You need to decide the number of generations you want to show and ensure to keep a generation at the same level.

enter names in hierachy chart

Follow the above steps to create your a family tree on Word.

How to Make a Family Tree in Edraw Max

You can create a detailed and beautiful family tree using Edraw Max. It is a versatile graphics software and not only allows to create diagrams from scratch but also offer beautiful templates to draw family chart quickly and efficiently.


It can be helpful to gather some knowledge before you start to draw the family tree in Edraw Max. Let’s learn how you can create a detailed and easy to understand family tree in Edraw Max.

Step 1 – Open Edraw Max Online

Start with opening Edraw Max online editor on your browser. Log in to your account to access brilliant templates and editing tools for creating a family tree.

open edraw max online

Step 2-Find Organization Chart

A family tree can be built in the section Organization Chart. Edraw Max has dedicated sections for each purpose so you can get the right templates and symbols to draw a diagram or chart.

From the Organization Chart menu, select any template that can act as a strong base to design your family tree. Click a template, and it will open in a new window.

find organizational chart

Step 3 – Edit your template

Edraw Max allows creating a family tree most easily. You can jump-start with a template to create your family chart quickly. You can choose to create in a top-down way or sideways, and it would also be beneficial.

Either way, you'll need to create a blueprint in your mind and consider the goals as well for which you want to create your family tree. Gather the data of your family members like birthdays if you're looking to create a detailed family tree. Make the diagram easy to understand and label the relationship between parent and children boxes and siblings as well.

Edit the template as you want and replace the content of the template with your family members' names and label the relations.

edit your family tree

Step 4 – Add or remove boxes

If you wish to add or remove a box from the template, right-click the box and select Delete to remove or choose the + sign to add a box. Then, enter the data in the box. From the editing window, you can select other options as well.

add or remove box
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How to Export an Edraw Chart as a Word File

If you need to add or remove something or make any corrections in your family tree, then you can do it quickly in case you have saved the file in Word format. Edraw Max allows us to export the files in different formats, and you can open them in corresponding formats.

To save your family tree in Word format, from the File menu, go to the Export option and select Export Word (.docx).

Save export family tree

Edraw Max has cloud service integration feature as well. You can save your Edraw Max files to your cloud storage as well.

A family tree Word can be simple and complex. In either way, it should be easy to understand. You can create a family tree in Word if you need to draw a few generations of your family. Family tree Microsoft Word would be easy to understand and design, but if you need to create a detailed family tree, then Edraw Max is the right choice. You could choose a professional and comprehensive template to draw an in-depth family tree. You can benefit from the wide range of editing options to customize your family tree.

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