Free Google Sheets family tree template
A ready-made spreadsheet for recording your family tree — names, birth years, places and stories, all in one place. Download it, import it into Google Sheets in seconds, and start filling in your family history today.
- Copyable in Google Sheets
- Easy to edit
- Share with family
- 100% free
| Full name | Relationship | Gen. | Birth year |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Me | 0 | — |
| — | Mother | 1 | — |
| — | Father | 1 | — |
| — | Maternal grandmother | 2 | — |
| — | Maternal grandfather | 2 | — |
Preview of the starter spreadsheet — eight generations of rows, ready to fill in.
How to make a family tree in Google Sheets
Four quick steps take you from a blank spreadsheet to a shareable family tree.
- 1
Download the template
Click “Download the Google Sheets template” below to save a CSV starter file to your device.
- 2
Import it into Google Sheets
In Google Sheets, open File → Import → Upload, drop in the CSV, and choose “Replace spreadsheet”.
- 3
Make it your own
Rename the sheet, then fill in names, birth years, places and stories row by row. Add rows for every relative you remember.
- 4
Share and collaborate
Use the green Share button to invite relatives — everyone can edit at once, and version history keeps every change safe.
Why a spreadsheet works for family history
Easy to edit
Add a relative, fix a date, or sort by generation in a click. Your tree grows as your research does — no erasers required.
Simple to share
One Share link lets aunts, cousins and grandparents add what they remember, all in the same file at the same time.
Version control built in
Google Sheets keeps a full version history, so an accidental change is never permanent — you can always roll back.
Great for a start — even better preserved with Heritorie
A spreadsheet is a wonderful first step. But names and dates are only part of a family's story. Heritorie keeps the whole story together — safely, privately, and for generations to come.
Photos & multimedia
Attach real photographs and documents to each person — not just a link in a cell that can break.
Recorded voices & stories
Capture the way Grandma tells a story, in her own voice, alongside the people it's about.
Private, long-term preservation
A private space built to outlast a single file — no DNA, ever, and no risk of a lost spreadsheet.
Ready to move beyond the spreadsheet?
Build your family tree online with Heritorie — add photos, record voices, and invite relatives to fill in their own branches. Belonging is free.
Prefer a printable chart instead?
Grab our free printable family tree template and fill it in by hand.
Or view the printable template pageFrequently asked questions
Is the Google Sheets family tree template free?
Yes — it's completely free. Download the CSV starter file and import it into Google Sheets (or Excel), then make as many copies as you like. No payment and no account required.
How do I make a copy of the family tree template in Google Sheets?
Download the CSV file from this page, then in Google Sheets choose File → Import → Upload and select the file. Once it's open, use File → Make a copy any time you want a fresh version.
Does this work as a Google Docs family tree template too?
The spreadsheet format works best for names, dates and relationships because it's easy to sort and expand. If you'd rather write in Google Docs, paste the columns into a table — but Google Sheets keeps large families far tidier.
What's the advantage of a spreadsheet over a printable chart?
A spreadsheet is easy to edit, instantly shareable, and keeps a full version history so nothing is ever lost. Printable charts are lovely to hang on the wall, but a spreadsheet grows with your research.
Is there something better than a spreadsheet for family history?
For long-term preservation, yes. Heritorie keeps your tree, photos, recorded voices and stories together in one private space your whole family can add to — so your history outlives any single spreadsheet file.