* Linking shared research notes to multiple individuals

[sbell95]

I would like to know if there is a way to link multiple people to a shared research note in one go. I have begun using research notes more extensively in my new 'do-over' project (as opposed to keeping them in a separate document or program). In particular, I create a certain type of shared research note which pertains to a whole family group (following them through the various censuses, if anyone cares to know, in the style of a census timeline grid/table).

The research note is initially started with the head of household, but I would like to link it all other people that are mentioned in the note so that it is accessible from their profile. Currently I'm just linking people to the note one by one, by accessing the Notes tab and choosing 'Add Note' > 'Shared Research Note...' and selecting the correct one, but I see this becoming unwieldy when the list of shared research notes is much longer! It is also a slow process because the note is opened up each time it is linked to a person.

Screenshot 2021-10-06 174407.jpg (191.87 KiB) Viewed 1908 times

I tried going from the Research Notes records window and choosing 'View' > 'Record Links...' but there doesn't seem to be a way of adding anyone (let alone multiple people) from that view either.

Screenshot 2021-10-06 174735.jpg (107.32 KiB) Viewed 1908 times

I suspect a solution may be via queries or named lists, but I'm wondering if there is a simpler answer that doesn't involve so many clicks. I'm also confused whether adding a link within the note via 'Add Link' > 'Add Link to Individual Record' does the same thing? I don't necessarily want hyperlinks in the note but simply a link to the note itself in each person's profile -- and adding a person link in the way just described doesn't seem to add the shared note to that person's list of notes.

It may be that I'm seriously overthinking this issue... Is there a quick and easy way to link multiple people to a shared research note in one go?

[ColeValleyGirl]

There isn't, but see Plugins planned/in progress

And a new V6/7 plugin that will build on MultiFact (which I won't update for V7]:
MultiNote -- will allow a Note (or Research Note) based on selected Autotext to be attached to multiple INDI/FAM records; or allow multiple Notes (or Research Notes) to be attached to a single INDI/FAM record.

although the plugin isn't high on my priority list, I'm afraid.

[Gowermick]

A workaround is to go to one of the indivuduals who already has the note you wish to link, go to the All Tab, highlight the research Note then -Ctl-C to Copy it.
Then for every individual you want to share the note with, go to their All tab, click on their name then Ctl-V to paste the Research Note.

I got this tip from Miketate, when I wanted to copy a Brickwall Media image to all my brickwalls. Just checked, and it also works for Research Notes.

On a slightly diferent matter, how do you find out those who already have the Research note? Just playing around and shared an existing Research note to another individual, and the total Links for the Research note updated, but can't find an easy way to see who the links are?

[ColeValleyGirl]

How have you done the linking, Mike -- linking the the Research Note to the Individual (use View > Record Links...)? Or embedding links to the Individual in the Research Note?

[tatewise]

Mike, thank you for the acknowledgement.
I'm surprised you asked that last question as it has been answered many times.
See Finding Where Records are Used where both the View > Record Links… command and the Where Used Record Links plugin are mentioned.

Helen, if the Links count has been updated in the Research Notes tab then it has to be linked via the Individual's Notes tab.

[ColeValleyGirl]

Helen, if the Links count has been updated in the Research Notes tab then it has to be linked via the Individual's Notes tab.

True, but I was expecting you would drop in with words of wisdom to cover every eventuality.

(PS I may have known how to find the embedded record links in the past but it's escaping me at the moment).

Edited to add: The wonders of search: Links to Individuals in notes (18369)

The standard View>Record Links for the person will include any notes in which the person is embedded -- Jane.

[sbell95]

There isn't, but see Plugins planned/in progress

That's disappointing -- and surprising that it wasn't included as a standard feature by Calico Pie.

Edited to add: The wonders of search: Links to Individuals in notes (18369)

The standard View>Record Links for the person will include any notes in which the person is embedded -- Jane.

That is a very helpful thread -- it seems that Shosh has a similar problem to me. I concur that it is double work to add a hyperlink in the note and a record link to each individual mentioned in a shared research note.

A workaround is to go to one of the indivuduals who already has the note you wish to link, go to the All Tab, highlight the research Note then -Ctl-C to Copy it.
Then for every individual you want to share the note with, go to their All tab, click on their name then Ctl-V to paste the Research Note.

I got this tip from Miketate, when I wanted to copy a Brickwall Media image to all my brickwalls. Just checked, and it also works for Research Notes.

I can't seem to reproduce this behaviour -- I can copy the research note record (the window pops up to give the disclaimer about copying records in this way) but then it won't paste into another person's 'All' tab... Am I doing something wrong?

[Gowermick]

Miketate,
You’re right, couldn’t see for looking

sbel95,
You shouldn’t get the warning, I think you’re copying from the wrong place, you should be on All tab when you press Ctl-C!

i.e. Go to All tab, highlight the Research Note field then click Ctl-C to copy it. Then go to another individual’s All tab, click on the top line ( i.e The line containing their name and record ID) then press Ctl-V to paste it.

Give it another try, and come back if you still have problem

[tatewise]

The Links to Individuals in notes (18369) point about View > Record Links... is the opposite of what we are discussing.
That is looking at an Individual record and listing all the records such as Research Notes that reference the Individual.

From one or more selected Research Notes, it is not possible to discover with one command:

1. All the records that the embedded rich text links reference;
   ( You must open the Research Notes and search through to find such embedded links. )
2. All the links from any other records to the Research Note(s);
   ( This is what View > Record Links... or Where Used Record Links provides. )

It would need a plugin to provide a comprehensive list of both 1 and 2 above.

Sarah, reiterating what Mike has said but with a slightly different emphasis:
In the All tab apply the Ctrl+C to the words Research Note on the left in blue (not the Text Link on the right).
Then in the other Individual record All tab, apply Ctrl+V to the person's name top left.

[sbell95]

Sarah, reiterating what Mike has said but with a slightly different emphasis:
In the All tab apply the Ctrl+C to the words Research Note on the left in blue (not the Text Link on the right).
Then in the other Individual record All tab, apply Ctrl+V to the person's name top left.

Ah, okay, that worked -- I think I must have selected the text on the right as opposed to the words 'Research Note'.

Although there's currently no solution for adding multiple links simultaneously, this workaround will fit nicely into my research workflow. Thanks everyone!

[ColeValleyGirl]

The Links to Individuals in notes (18369) point about View > Record Links... is the opposite of what we are discussing.
That is looking at an Individual record and listing all the records such as Research Notes that reference the Individual.

Ah - OK. Looking from the Individual record to see all the linked Research Notes fits in best with my work flow -- I usually want to know 'what tasks do I have outstanding for this individual'. If I've already got the Research Note open, my embedded links to 'research subjects' are all in the same place towards the top of the note, so no need to search through. As others have said, I think it makes sense to standardise on using EITHER embedded links OR record links, not to mix and match.