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Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 21 Mar 2024 17:06
by Hissey
I am writing up my family history as a word document and would like to incorporate small charts into the document. The best quality is achieved using "save chart as pdf" but importing pdf charts into word does not work. I have tried saving the charts as jpg or some other format but when that is imported the text becomes pixellated and difficult to read, particularly on zoom. Surely there must be a way of saving a chart with a better resolution? Help please as this is causing me a major headache.
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 21 Mar 2024 17:24
by tatewise
Yes, JPG/PNG saved from FH do not have great resolution.
Are the charts small enough to take a screenshot and save as JPG/PNG?
Otherwise, save it as a PDF and then convert it to PNG using such as IrfanView.
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 22 Mar 2024 18:26
by Mark1834
Family Historian charts are not conventional image files, but what's called Vector Graphics. All that means is the file simply contains instructions on where the lines and text are located, rather than having to describe every pixel of the resulting image. As a result, the image is always displayed at full resolution, no matter how much it is scaled.
As soon as you convert it to another format, such as png, jpg, or pdf, you lose quality, so don't convert it. Word supports vector graphics files, so keep it in that format.
- Generate the required diagram in FH.
- Select Diagram > Save Diagram As... > Enhanced Metafile (emf)
- In Word, select Insert > Pictures exactly as you would for any other type of image, and select your saved file.
- Keep your working document as a conventional Word document, but save a copy as a pdf file. Select the option to use normal quality for printing and screen display, not the optional lower quality just for screen viewing.
Check the attached pdf file, which is a simple tree from the Sample Project. The screen grab below shows the pdf displayed at high zoom on my iPad, which is presumably how many recipients will view the file in 2024.
- IMG_0033.PNG (388.4 KiB) Viewed 707 times
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 22 Mar 2024 18:54
by tatewise
Thanks Mark, I'd not thought of that option.
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 22 Mar 2024 19:07
by Mark1834
You can even have it without the active record being highlighted - just click in a blank area of the chart prior to saving to cancel the selection, which I forgot to do!
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 23 Mar 2024 11:40
by Mark1834
I was curious to see how far I could push this. This is one box in the pdf file at maximum zoom. It’s still pin-sharp, so it appears that the pdf file treats it as vector graphics as well with no loss of quality when zooming.
- IMG_0035.png (234.33 KiB) Viewed 644 times
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 25 Mar 2024 08:54
by Hissey
Thanks all, I'll give that method a try.
Screenshot cut and paste is easiest when it's a small chart, but once it gets large enough eg A4 size to make it readable then the monitor isn't big enough to give it a decent resolution, which is where I had the problem.
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 26 Mar 2024 20:19
by HeatherARobertson
Mark1834 wrote: ↑22 Mar 2024 18:26
Family Historian charts are not conventional image files, but what's called Vector Graphics. All that means is the file simply contains instructions on where the lines and text are located, rather than having to describe every pixel of the resulting image. As a result, the image is always displayed at full resolution, no matter how much it is scaled.
As soon as you convert it to another format, such as png, jpg, or pdf, you lose quality, so don't convert it. Word supports vector graphics files, so keep it in that format.
- Generate the required diagram in FH.
- Select Diagram > Save Diagram As... > Enhanced Metafile (emf)
- In Word, select Insert > Pictures exactly as you would for any other type of image, and select your saved file.
- Keep your working document as a conventional Word document, but save a copy as a pdf file. Select the option to use normal quality for printing and screen display, not the optional lower quality just for screen viewing.
Check the attached pdf file, which is a simple tree from the Sample Project. The screen grab below shows the pdf displayed at high zoom on my iPad, which is presumably how many recipients will view the file in 2024.
IMG_0033.PNG
This was a fantastic tip from the above poster! Never thought of doing this, just tried it and it works perfectly. So glad I came across this post.
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 26 Mar 2024 20:43
by NickWalker
HeatherARobertson wrote: ↑26 Mar 2024 20:19
This was a fantastic tip from the above poster! Never thought of doing this, just tried it and it works perfectly. So glad I came across this post.
Yes I agree, this was a very helpful and interesting post from Mark.
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 27 Mar 2024 13:33
by BEJ
I too am grateful for the info. It will help when producing reports outside of Family Historian.
Select Diagram > Save Diagram As... > Enhanced Metafile (emf)
However, I have not yet mastered using charts and can't follow your instructions above. I can find no options to "select" or "save as" the pedigree charts I am creating. Please elaborate?
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 27 Mar 2024 13:46
by LornaCraig
Select
Diagram in the main toolbar, then the options shown here:
- Save diagram as.JPG (51.55 KiB) Viewed 456 times
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 27 Mar 2024 14:01
by BEJ
Ahh, MAIN toolbar. I often forget to look there when a window is open. Thank you.
Just to be clear, the instruction to “select diagram” can be ignored.
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 27 Mar 2024 14:03
by tatewise
To be clear, "select Diagram" means select the Diagram menubar option.
i.e Select Diagram > Save Diagram As... > Enhanced Metafile (emf)
Also, remember that the diagram/chart must be displayed in FH for the Diagram menu to appear.
Re: Importing charts into a word document
Posted: 27 Mar 2024 14:06
by BEJ
