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Master Event / Fact Definition List


The Master Event Definition List contains all the events that are being used in the current Family File.  Legacy only records one copy of each different event type and points any use of it to its entry in the list.  This saves a lot of disk storage space by eliminating duplications.


The Master Event Definition List can be reached by clicking the down arrow next to any event name field, or by choosing Master Lists, Event Name from the View tab on the Ribbon bar.

Selecting an Event from the List
To select a particular event, click on it and click the Select button.  You can also select an event by double clicking.

Adding New Event Definitions
When you enter an event in an Event Name field, Legacy checks to see if the name is already in the Master Event Definition List.  If it is not found, it is added to the list.  Depending on the setting in Options, you may or may not be prompted for confirmation.  (See Options for more information.)  When the Master Event Definition List is displayed, you can add new event definitions by clicking the Add button.  This pops up the Add/Edit Event Definition form where you can define the new event, which is then added to the list. 

Editing Event Definitions
You can change the spelling of any event in the Master Event Definition List by selecting it and clicking the Edit button.  Remember, however, that a change to an event name in the master list affects all references to it.

Other Options

Clicking the Options button displays a shortcut menu where you can choose from the following options:

Deleting an Event Definition
If an event in the master list is not being used, you can remove it from the list by highlighting it and choosing the Delete option.  Legacy confirms that the event name is not being used and removes it from the list.  If one or more records are referencing the event, it cannot be removed.  In this case, Legacy offers to display a list of all records currently using the name.

Tag and Untag
You can tag (and untag) the entries in the list.  This can be done one at a time or include the entire list.

Combining Duplicate Event Names
When correcting misspelled event names, you may find that you end up with duplicates within the Master Event Definition List.  To remove these duplicate and clean up the list, choose the Combine option.  Legacy then goes through the list, combines the duplicates and moves the links.

Purging Unused Event Names
To remove unused event type names from the Master Event Definition List, choose the Purge option.  Legacy checks each name to see if it is being used.  If not, it is removed from the list.  There is also an option to Restore all original Event Types to this list.  This will result in all the defaults restored after removing unused event types.  During the process you are also asked, Would you like to reset all Event Sentences to their default wording?  This will restore the default sentences if you have changed any.

Importing an Event Names List
You can import a list of event names from a different Family File by choosing the Import option.  Legacy prompts for the name of the other Family File and then loads its list.

Printing the List
You can print the contents of the list by choosing Print...  The list will appear in the Print Preview window where you can view it and print a copy.

Page Setup
You can change page orientation, margins, paper size, and font size before printing a report.

Zoom
You can change the font size of the master list grid.

Remove Name-Only Events...
Removes all events connected to individuals and marriages where the event only contains an event name and no other data.

Warning:  This could incorrectly remove events attached to individuals or marriage where an event name is the only known information.  For example, if you had an Immigration event and you know the person was an immigrant but you don't have a date or any other information for the event, this event would be removed.  Some people may want this to happen while others may not.

Jump with Edit Sorting
When you edit entry, it is immediately resorted into its new position in the Master List.  Sometimes this moves the entry far away from the current position.  You can choose to have the current position move to the new point in the list or to just stay where you were and move to the next entry.  If there is a checkmark next to the Jump with Edit Sorting option, the current position will move to the newly sorted position of the edited entry.  If there is no checkmark next to the option in the shortcut menu, the current position will just move down to the next entry.  Clicking the option toggles the checkmark on and off.

Bookmarks
If you are working your way down the Master List, you can drop a bookmark to save your place until you return to resume the process.  Click Set Bookmark to drop a bookmark.  Click Go To Bookmark to return to the previously set bookmark.

Show List…
You can display a list containing all the individuals who use the highlighted event name by clicking Show List…  The people who show in this list can then be tagged if desired.

Combining Multiple Entries
If you find two or more entries in the master list that should be the same, you can combine them into one "good" entry.  This is very easy to do in Legacy.  To combine multiple entries:

1. Choose one of the entries that you want to keep.  
2. Highlight all the other entries in the group.  If the group is contiguous, you can highlight the top entry and then hold down the shift key while you click on the bottom entry.  The entire group will then be highlighted.  If the various entries are not in a continuous block, highlight the first one and then press and hold down the Ctrl key while to click on each of the other entries in the group.  Each one will remain highlighted as you click the others.
3. Click the large button at the bottom of the window named Combine the highlighted event name with one in the list.  The caption on the button will now change to read Highlight the destination, then click this button.
4. Highlight the "good" entry line by clicking on it.
5. Click the large button at the bottom again.  All the "bad" entries are then combined with the "good" one and all the records in your family file that were pointing to the "bad" ones now point to the "good" one… (saving you potentially hours of editing).


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