Family Historian User Group

I am playing about with FH, so please forgive these questions if they seem stupid.

I use FH (I think) in default mode. I have a column on the left from which I can get to the lists, any open diagrams etc.
Then there is the Focus Window showing me the family group with clickable links.
Next there is the Property Box which opens at the Main Tab.

Mike is teaching me to customise this according to the data entry needed to enter each particular set of source records. One can add any Fact or Flag one wishes and any data already entered may be visible - tho truncated for lack of space.

Is there any reason why space on this Main tab needs to be occupied by the Spouse, when the spouse's name is given along side in the Focus Window?

Data already entered also shows on the Facts Tab. I have widened the column to show data.
But I cant find out whether the columns on this Tab are customisable?
If they are, I could remove the ages column. I would then have more space for data. Without narrowing down the source pane on the right.
(I know one can put the source pane below, but one thing I particularly like about FH is having the source alongside the event. I have never before been so meticulous about source entry. )

There is another question about reverting to the default. My customising the Main facts Tab, is also applied to the Sample Project. In my early days with FH, I was terrified to change things as I might lose the original settings. Or to return to them without losing all one's customisations.

Is one allowed to download the trial version of FH any time one wants and to refer to that if one wants to have a look at FH with its original settings? On second thoughts, no I think that would over write one's customisations?

But I need some way of reminding myself what the original settings were!

If this cant be done, I need to do what I always did with Second Site, write a word document recording all the things I customised?

With regard to the last question about losing customisations. When in the Customize Property Box dialog there is a button labelled More Tab Tasks. Selecting this gives you the option to Import or Export Tabs. So having customized you can save your settings. Then, if you wish, revert back to the original settings by clicking the Installation Settings button on the bottom left.

David

Is there any reason why space on this Main tab needs to be occupied by the Spouse, when the spouse's name is given along side in the Focus Window?
The Customize Property Box dialogue does allow the Spouse Details to be removed, but I suspect the Spouse: tabs will remain.
However, that Property Box can appear with all other workspaces (Records, Diagrams, Media, Reports, Media, Query, Map, Web Search) where the Spouse details are not so obvious as in the Focus Window workspace.

I cant find out whether the columns on this Tab are customisable?
The Facts tab columns & layout can only be 'customised' by dragging the resizing handles, but is NOT remembered after the Property Box or FH are closed. The details shown in the Fact column can be customised via Tools > Fact Types using the Advanced button as mentioned in how_to:narrative_report_fact_sentence_templates|> Narrative Report Fact Sentence Templates.

But I need some way of reminding myself what the original settings were!
You are correct that installing the Trial FH Version would not work, because it would simply retain your current customisations.

Most customisations have an Installation Settings button, but its strategic use depends on what is being customised.

I strongly advise that all Standard Reports, Diagrams & Text Schemes retain their Installation Settings.
Any customisations should be applied to Custom Report Types, Custom Diagram Types & Custom Text Schemes.

Standard Queries cannot be customised other than by creating Custom Query copies.

Property Box customizations can only affect the Main tab, or your own custom tabs.
Use More Tab Tasks > Export Tab/Import Tab to manage installation and custom tab settings.
For less important details it may be convenient to create a new custom tab, and move some of the Main tab details there.

Tools > Fact Types customisations can affect both Standard and Custom facts.
They all have an Installation Settings button and Old Versions button for Sentence Templates.
Use File > Import/Export > Fact Set to manage various alternative settings.

BTW: Those File > Import/Export options include other customisations you may not yet have discovered for Accent Set, Colour Schemes, and User Credentials.

Tools > Preferences have many customisations and Installation Settings buttons.
Most of these settings are held in the Windows Registry.

One technique to manage customisations is to use the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings Plugin.
That preserves a backup copy of all the above customisations useful in case of a PC/disk crash!!!!
With that in place, you can safely restore any Installation Settings, and then restore your settings from the backup.
The Plugin even has an option to Utilise Dated Sub-folders automatically to keep a trail of backup settings.

Thank you both so much.
Mike there is a lot for me to take in here. But it is exactly the information I need. And I appreciate the trouble you took to write it out for me.