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Compare Two Files for Duplicates 

   To use this feature (which is only available in the Deluxe Edition of Legacy), click Compare Two Files on the Tools tab of the Ribbon bar.

This feature compares the individuals in the current family file with the individuals in another family file.  This way you can see if there are some possible duplicates in another file.  No combining of information is done…possible duplicates are only displayed for you to see.  As you find duplicates, you can tag them to make it easier to import the parts of the file you might want to combine with your family file.

The first thing Legacy needs to know is the name of the other file you want to compare the current family file with.  For this purpose the Open Family File screen is shown where you can select the other file.  

The next screen to be displayed is the Compare Options window.  This is where you tell Legacy how you want to compare records when looking for matches.  This is the same as the first screen shown when doing a Match/Merge.  See Merge Options for a description of this screen.  When you have selected the options you want to use, click Continue.  The Compare Two Files for Duplicates window appears.

What Does This Window Show?
The Compare Two Files for Duplicates window shows two individuals side-by-side that could be duplicates between the two family files.  The record on the left is from the current family file and the one on the right is from the other family file.  There are nine tabs across the top corresponding to the various pieces of information each person has.  When the pair is first displayed, the General tab is selected automatically.  The contents of each tab are the same as are displayed when merging records.  See Merging Records for a complete description of what each tab shows.

Below the tabs are several command buttons:
  • Edit Left:  Displays the Information window for the individual on the left, allowing you to edit their information.
  • Tag Left:  Tags the displayed record on the left from the current family file.  The number selected below the button is the number of tag that is applied.
  • Tag Both:  Tags both the left and right record with the tag numbers showing below the buttons.  
  • Tag Right: Tags the displayed record on the right from the other family file.  The number selected below the Tag Both button is the number of tag that is applied.
  • Edit Right: Displays the Information window for the individual on the right, allowing you to edit their information.
  • Skip to Next:  Skips the current pair of individuals and moves to the next pair of possible duplicates. 
  • Back to Prev:  Displays the most recently Skipped pair of individuals.  Successive clicking of this button moves back through all the skipped pairs. 

    Print:  You can print a Family Group Record or Individual Report for the current pair of individuals.  This may help you decide if they are the same person.  (See Merge Information Report for more details.)

    Close:  Stops the duplicate searching process and returns to the Family/Pedigree screen.  

    Help:  Displays the help system and shows the information you are reading right now.


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