How to Build a Family Tree With ClickUp and Google Docs

Using ClickUp together with Google Docs is a simple way to plan, write, and track every step of your family tree project while keeping research and files organized.

This guide walks you through creating a clean, readable family tree in Google Docs, plus how to manage the entire process in ClickUp so nothing gets lost.

Why Plan Your Family Tree in ClickUp First

Before you open Google Docs, it helps to map out your work in ClickUp. You can break the project into tasks, assign deadlines, and store links and files for your research.

Organizing the work in a structured space makes it easier to update names, dates, and relationships as you collect more information.

Key benefits of using ClickUp for genealogy projects

• Create tasks for each family branch or generation.
• Attach records, images, and notes to specific tasks.
• Use checklists to track missing dates, locations, or documents.
• Collaborate with relatives by sharing tasks and comments.

Once your plan is set, you can move into Google Docs to build the visual family tree.

How to Start a Family Tree in Google Docs

You can build a family tree chart in Google Docs using text, shapes, and connectors. The original reference for this process is detailed at this Google Docs family tree tutorial.

Step 1: Create a new document

1. Go to Google Drive.
2. Click New > Google Docs.
3. Choose a blank document.
4. Name the file with your family surname and the word “Family Tree”.

Keep this document linked back into a ClickUp task so you can open it directly from your workspace.

Step 2: Set up the page layout

Adjust the layout to give your tree more room horizontally.

1. Go to File > Page setup.
2. Switch orientation to Landscape for a wide canvas.
3. Optionally reduce margins to allow more width.

A landscape layout makes it easier to place multiple generations side by side.

Step 3: Add the starting ancestor

1. Click Insert > Drawing > + New.
2. In the Drawing window, click the Shape icon and choose a rectangle or rounded rectangle.
3. Draw a box and type the name of your earliest known ancestor.
4. Optionally add birth and death years on separate lines.
5. Click Save and Close to insert the shape into the document.

You now have the root of your family tree. Keep this box near the top or center of the page, depending on how many generations you plan to add.

How to Add Generations and Relationships

After placing your first ancestor, expand the structure to include spouses, children, and extended relatives.

Step 4: Duplicate shapes for consistency

To keep the design clean, reuse the same shape style for every family member.

1. Click the existing ancestor box.
2. Copy and paste it (Ctrl+C, then Ctrl+V or Command+C, Command+V).
3. Edit the text to add another person’s name and dates.

Repeat this process for each new family member. Consistent shapes improve readability.

Step 5: Add children below parents

1. Position the parents in a horizontal row.
2. Place each child’s box directly underneath.
3. Space the boxes evenly so lines will not overlap.

Leave extra space under each generation if you expect to add more descendants later.

Step 6: Connect family members with lines

1. Click Insert > Drawing > + New, or double-click an existing drawing.
2. Select the Line or Elbow connector tool.
3. Draw lines from parents to children.
4. Use straight connectors for vertical lines and elbow connectors when you need corners.

When you move a shape inside the drawing, connectors stay attached, saving you time when rearranging family members.

Styling and Formatting Your Google Docs Family Tree

Visual style helps your tree stay readable as it grows. Use simple, consistent formatting choices.

Step 7: Use colors to group branches

• Assign one color for each major branch of the family.
• Use lighter shades for later generations.
• Avoid too many bright colors to keep the tree easy on the eyes.

Color coding makes it easier to scan relationships at a glance.

Step 8: Choose readable fonts and sizes

• Use a clear sans-serif font such as Arial or Roboto.
• Keep names slightly larger than dates.
• Use bold for direct ancestors you want to highlight.

If you plan to print the document, zoom out to see how text appears at the scale of a full page.

Managing the Project in ClickUp

While Google Docs holds the visual tree, ClickUp can manage research, versions, and collaboration around your genealogy work.

Set up a genealogy list in ClickUp

1. Create a new List called “Family Tree Project”.
2. Add tasks for major activities such as “Collect records”, “Build Google Docs tree”, and “Review with relatives”.
3. Attach your Google Docs link to the main tree-building task.

This structure keeps the visual document connected to the tasks driving the project forward.

Track research tasks with ClickUp custom fields

Enhance your genealogy list using custom fields in ClickUp.

• Add a Status field for each person: Confirmed, Unclear, or Unsourced.
• Use a Date field for key discovery or verification dates.
• Include a Text field for record sources or archive references.

These details ensure that changes in your Google Docs tree are backed by traceable research notes.

Collaborate with family inside ClickUp

You can invite relatives to contribute information directly in ClickUp.

• Assign tasks to relatives for specific branches of the family.
• Use comments to discuss uncertain relationships or dates.
• Share the Google Docs link in a task so everyone edits the same file.

ClickUp becomes the central hub where questions, updates, and documents all come together.

Sharing and Updating Your Family Tree

Once your family tree is ready, you can share, print, or continue evolving it as new information appears.

Step 9: Share the Google Docs file

1. Open the family tree document.
2. Click Share in the top-right corner.
3. Enter email addresses or copy a shareable link.
4. Set permissions to Viewer, Commenter, or Editor depending on how much control you want to grant.

Store the share link inside your main genealogy task in ClickUp so you always know where to find it.

Step 10: Keep your tree versioned

As you discover more facts, your family tree will change. Use a simple versioning approach:

• Note major changes in a ClickUp task comment with the date.
• Optionally create duplicate Google Docs files for milestone versions.
• Record which relatives reviewed each version.

This makes it clear what changed and when, especially when multiple people are contributing data.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources

With a structured plan in ClickUp and a clean layout in Google Docs, you can build a detailed, collaborative family tree without specialized software.

• Use ClickUp to manage research tasks, documents, and collaboration.
• Rely on Google Docs drawings to create the visual tree.
• Refine the layout as your family history grows.

For broader project and process optimization beyond genealogy, you can explore additional workflow and documentation strategies at Consultevo.

Combine the organizational power of ClickUp with the flexibility of Google Docs, and you will have a living, shareable family tree you can update and pass down for generations.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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