Fix broken media links in Family Tree Maker for Mac

Broken media links can be caused by a number of different things:

• Name of the media item is changed outside of Family Tree Maker
• Location of the media item is changed outside of Family Tree Maker

• If the family file is moved to a different folder on your computer outside of Family Tree Maker without including the media folder associated with the file, all media links will break for that file. Transferring the family file back to its original location or moving the media folder to the same location the family file is located at now will correct this.

Re-linking broken media items

Beginning the search

1. Select the unlinked media item and click the red File not found link in the bottom left corner of the window.

   

2. A File Not Found window will open, listing the location and name the file was last known by.

   

3. At this point, you can have Family Tree Maker attempt to find the file for you, or if you know where the file is stored, you can also manually find the file. Please see the section of choice below for more instruction.

• Letting Family Tree Maker search for the file
• Manually searching for the file

Letting Family Tree Maker search for the file

4. Select the bullet Let Family Tree Maker search for this file in the File Not Found window and click OK.

   

5. If Family Tree Maker can find this file, it will automatically re-link the media item. The filename link will now show as blue in the bottom right corner of the window.

   

6. If Family Tree Maker cannot find the file, you will receive a warning like this one.

   

   You will need to find the file manually using the steps outlined below

Manually searching for the file

4. Restart your search following steps 1-3, and then select the bullet Manually search for this file in the File Not Found window and click OK.

   

5. Use the find file window to select the file from it’s new location, or select the file with it’s new name and click Open.

   

6. The filename link will now show as blue in the bottom right corner of the window with the new filename or location listed.

   

Using the Find Missing Media tool

If you have many pieces of media that are missing, you can use the Find Missing Media tool to quickly search for all of them at the same time.

Note: The missing media finder can only find media that has been moved. If the media item has been renamed or deleted, Family Tree Maker will not be able to find the file.

1. Select Media from the main toolbar tp bring up the Media workspace.

   

2. Click the drop down option next to the media workspace and select Find Missing Media. A list of unlinked images will appear.

   

3. Click the checkboxes next to the items you want to look for or click Select All to find all broken media links.

   

4. Click Search.
   If Family Tree Maker is able to find the file, its current location is displayed in the Path column and a checkmark appears in the status column. If Family Tree Maker isn’t able to find the file, it will be highlighted. You will need to click the item and search for it manually.

   

5. When you’re finished, click OK.