Family Tree Template in Word: Create and Customize One

To create a family tree template in Microsoft Word, set the page to landscape, add editable boxes for relatives, connect them with lines, and save a blank copy as a Word template. Before you start, decide how many generations to show and gather the names and relationships you want to include. The steps below use Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows; the Mac differences are noted where they matter.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 on a computer. The desktop app is best for arranging shapes precisely.
A list of relatives and relationships, with spellings checked. Dates and photos are optional.
A rough plan for the number of generations and whether the tree will show ancestors, descendants, or both.
A folder for saving the finished template and any photos you plan to add.

Step-by-Step

Choose the tree’s scope. Decide whose family the tree centers on and which generations it will include. For example, a four-generation ancestor chart might place one person at the bottom, their parents above, grandparents above them, and great-grandparents at the top. A descendant tree starts with an older ancestor and branches down. Sketch the arrangement on paper first. This helps you estimate the number of boxes and avoids trying to squeeze extra relatives into a finished layout.
Set up the page. In Word for Windows, choose Layout > Orientation > Landscape. Then choose Layout > Margins and select Narrow, or choose Custom Margins if you need a particular printable area. Use Layout > Size to select the paper you will print on, such as Letter or A4. Choosing the paper size now helps you design for the actual page rather than shrinking the chart at the end. On Word for Mac, the same settings are under the Layout tab.
Make a working area. Add a heading at the top, such as Family Tree or the family name, and leave space below for the chart. You can type the heading in the document and format it using Home > Styles. If you want to keep the chart centered, use the page as a visual guide and leave similar space at the left and right edges. Avoid using repeated spaces to position objects; spaces shift unpredictably when fonts or page settings change.
Insert the first person box. Choose Insert > Shapes, then select a rectangle or rounded rectangle from the basic shapes. Drag on the page to draw a box large enough for a name and any details you plan to include. Right-click the shape and choose Add Text, then enter a placeholder such as Name, Birth year, or Place. Keep the placeholder text generic so someone can replace it when using the template. With the shape selected, use the Shape Format tab to set its fill, outline, and text appearance.
Duplicate boxes for the other relatives. Select the box and press Ctrl+C, then Ctrl+V to make copies. Replace each placeholder with a relative’s name or leave the placeholders in place for future users. Reusing one formatted box keeps the chart consistent. Drag the copies into rows for each generation, leaving room between boxes for connecting lines. To move a shape in small increments, select it and use the arrow keys; hold Ctrl while pressing an arrow key for finer movement in Word for Windows.
Align and space the boxes. Select several shapes by holding Ctrl while clicking each one. On the Shape Format tab, use Align to align their edges or centers. Depending on the selection and Word version, you may also see options to distribute shapes horizontally or vertically. Align a row before connecting it, and make the box sizes consistent within each generation. If selecting several shapes is difficult, hold Ctrl and click each shape’s border rather than its text.
Connect relatives with lines. Choose Insert > Shapes, then select a straight line or an elbow connector from the Lines group. Draw a line between the related boxes. Use vertical and horizontal segments where possible to make each relationship easy to follow. In Word, connector ends can attach to connection points on shapes; if the connector does not snap on, zoom in and drag its endpoint to the edge of the box. Add all relationship lines before adding decorative elements so you can see whether any paths cross or obscure names.
Finish the design and save a template copy. Use the Shape Format tab to apply restrained colors and readable text. Use strong contrast between text and box fill, and do not rely on color alone to distinguish branches. If you add photos, use Insert > Pictures and resize them without covering names or connectors. Keep a blank version with placeholders. In Windows, choose File > Save As > Browse, select Word Template (*.dotx) in the file type list, give it a clear name, and save it. On Word for Mac, use File > Save as Template.
Test the template before sharing it. Close the template, then create a new document from it using File > New and selecting your template if it appears in your personal templates. Replace a few placeholders with longer names and check that the boxes still fit. Review the chart in Print Layout, then use File > Print to inspect the print preview. If the page breaks, text clips, or lines become hard to follow, adjust the design in the template and test again. Keep the blank master separate from any completed family tree.

Common Mistakes

Starting with too many generations. A large tree can become unreadable on one sheet. Plan the scope first, or split a large family into separate branches or pages.
Making boxes too small. Long names, dates, and locations need room. Test the design with the longest likely entry instead of judging it by a short placeholder.
Using ordinary lines instead of connectors. A plain line may stay in place when a box moves. Use connector shapes where available, then check that their endpoints remain attached after rearranging boxes.
Trying to position shapes with spaces or tabs. These are for text layout, not diagram placement. Move and align the shapes themselves using the Shape Format tools.
Saving only a completed chart. Keep an untouched template with placeholders so you can make fresh copies without restoring names and formatting by hand.

Tips

Use one consistent format for names and optional details. For instance, put the name on the first line and birth and death years on the second, rather than changing the format from box to box.
Choose a font that remains readable when printed. If the chart only works when zoomed in on screen, increase the page size, reduce the number of generations, or create multiple pages.
Make a copy of the document before substantial rearranging. The blank template should remain clean even if a particular family chart needs a different layout.
For a quick chart, Word also offers Insert > SmartArt > Hierarchy. Choose a hierarchy layout and use its text pane to enter entries. SmartArt is convenient for a simple structure, but manually drawn shapes give you more control over box positions and relationship lines.
Ask someone who has not seen the chart to follow one branch from generation to generation. Their feedback can reveal confusing line crossings or unclear labels before you print or share it.

Troubleshooting

Shapes move when you edit nearby text: Select a shape and check its layout options. If it is set to move with text, adjust its position or change the text wrapping so it behaves more predictably. Keep related shapes together in the same chart area and avoid inserting paragraphs between them.
A connector will not attach: Select a connector from Insert > Shapes rather than drawing a plain line. Zoom in and drag the endpoint to a connection point on the shape. If needed, delete the line and redraw it after the boxes are in their final positions.
Text spills out of a box: Enlarge the shape, shorten optional details, or reduce the font slightly. Check the longest name and any extra dates. Avoid shrinking the entire chart until you have confirmed the document’s page size and margins.
The printout cuts off part of the tree: Open File > Print and review the preview. Confirm that the selected paper size matches the page design, check orientation and margins, and reduce the chart width if it extends beyond the printable area. A larger sheet or multiple pages may be more readable than heavy scaling.
The template does not appear under New: Confirm that it was saved as a Word Template file with the .dotx extension, not as a regular .docx document. Reopen it from the folder where it was saved, or use Word’s template browsing options to locate it. The personal-template location and display can vary by Word setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a family tree in Word without SmartArt?

Yes. Insert shapes for people and connector lines for relationships. This method takes more arranging than SmartArt, but it lets you control each box’s position, size, and style.

Is SmartArt or shapes better for a family tree?

SmartArt is a fast starting point for a simple hierarchy. Separate shapes are often easier to customize when a tree has unusual branches, several partnerships, or a layout that does not fit a standard hierarchy.

How do I keep the boxes lined up?

Select multiple boxes and use Shape Format > Align to align their edges or centers. Make consistent box sizes and use distribution options when they are available for the selected shapes.

Can I add photos to the template?

Yes. Use Insert > Pictures to add an image, then resize and position it inside or beside a person’s box. Leave a consistent photo area in the blank template so images do not overlap names or connectors.

How do I save a reusable family tree template?

On Windows, use File > Save As > Browse and select Word Template (*.dotx). On Mac, use File > Save as Template. Keep the blank template separate from completed family charts.

Try it: the Date Difference Calculator: days, months, years and weekdays between two dates, with the DATEDIF formulas.

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