Confusion: Using a PAF file or an AQ file?

You are using Ancestral Quest, you installed the program, located your PAF file and have been working on your family file ever since. 

As you continue to use Ancestral Quest you think you have an Ancestral Quest database, after all you are using AQ to add, link, etc. but unless you have converted your PAF file, you are still using a PAF file and missing out on features that work for an AQ file but not a PAF file.

Limitations on continuing to use a PAF file inside of AQ are as follows:

In the Edit menu, the following are disabled:

• The Quick Entry (Advanced) feature is not available
• Replace Names/Dates/Places

In the Tools menu, the following are disabled:

• Color Coding
• Tags
• Convert Names to Mixed Case
• Convert Place Abbreviations
• Change Log
• Database Check/Repair (you can open the database within PAF and use PAF's Check/Repair tool)

To check to see what kind of family file you are working on go to File,  scroll and click on "Properties", the menu that comes up clearly shows you exactly what type of file you are are working with by the extension; either .paf for a PAF file or .aq for an Ancestral Quest file or .ac for an Ancestral Quest Collaboration file.

Converting your file is not difficult and the process will leave your PAF file in tack, make a copy and change the copy to a .aq file. Go to File, scroll and click on "Database Converter":

The process provides for you to name the file and then convert the file resulting in you now fully working with an AQ database and being able to use all of the features of the program.

As you continue the learning process of adjusting from PAF to AQ, you'll notice many new and additional features to make family history even better!

Remember Ancestral Quest is fully FamilySearch Certified!

Comments and questions are always welcome!

Happy Ancestraling...

Claire ;)

AQ Cues & Clues Blog:http://ancquest.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AncQuest