To make a family tree in Google Docs, click Insert, then Drawing, then New. Add a box for each person, type their name inside, and connect them with elbow connector lines. Click Save and close to add the tree to your document, or use a table with merged cells for a simple version.
Google Docs doesn't have a family tree tool, but its drawing feature does the job well for a few generations. The trick that makes the tree tidy is the elbow connector line, which snaps to the boxes and bends neatly, so the tree stays joined up when you move people around.
How to make a family tree in Google Docs
- Open your document and click where you want the tree.
- Click Insert, then Drawing, then New.
- Click the Shape tool and choose a rectangle or rounded rectangle.
- Draw a box for the oldest person or couple at the top.
- Double-click the box and type the name, and dates if you like.
- Copy and paste the box to make one for each person, then type each name.
- Arrange the boxes in rows, one row per generation.
- Click the Line tool's arrow and choose Elbow connector.
- Draw a line from each parent's box to each child's box. The ends snap to the edges.
- Click Save and close.
Lay out the generations first
| Row | Who goes in it |
|---|---|
| Top | Grandparents or the oldest generation |
| Middle | Their children and partners |
| Bottom | Grandchildren |
Sketch it on paper first. Knowing how many people sit in the widest row tells you how small the boxes need to be, which saves rebuilding the tree halfway through.
The catch: the drawing area is the page width
A drawing in Google Docs has to fit within the page, so a big family with a wide bottom row quickly runs out of space and the names become tiny. Three ways round it:
- Turn the page sideways in File, then Page setup, by switching the orientation, for more width.
- Split the tree into branches, with one drawing per branch.
- Build the tree in Google Slides instead, where you've got a wider canvas and a built-in diagram tool, then insert it into Docs.
Make the tree easier to read
- Use a different fill colour for each branch or each generation.
- Put birth and death years under the names in smaller text.
- Use a double line between partners, or place them side by side with a short line.
- Add photos with the Image button inside the drawing, but keep them small.
Editing the tree later
Click the drawing in your document and choose Edit to reopen the canvas. You can add new people, move boxes and change colours, and elbow connectors stay attached as you move things. Click Save and close again to update the document.
If you've made the tree as a separate Google Drawing in Drive, you can insert it from Drive instead. It stays linked to the original, so you can update the drawing once and refresh it in any document that uses it.
The table method for a simple tree
- Click Insert, then Table, and choose enough columns for your widest row.
- Use one row per generation.
- Select cells above a family group and merge them so the parent sits centred above their children.
- Type names into the cells.
- Remove or soften the borders in Table properties for a cleaner look.
It's quicker than drawing and prints reliably, but you won't get connecting lines, so it suits a simple record more than a display piece.
Ideas for using your family tree
- A school project with a few generations and photos.
- A gift for a family gathering, printed on a sideways page.
- A shared document relatives can add names and dates to.
- A starting point before you move into a dedicated genealogy service for bigger research.
Sharing the document with relatives is one of the best things about doing it in Google Docs: everyone can add names and dates, and you can see who changed what in the version history.
Printing and sharing your tree
Before printing, open File, then Print preview to check the drawing hasn't been squeezed or cut off at the edges. If names look small, a sideways page and slimmer margins in Page setup give the tree more room. To share it with relatives who'll only look, not edit, download a PDF with File, then Download, so the layout looks the same on every phone and computer.
If you want to bring the tree to life with family photos, my guide to AI prompts for family photos has ideas for portraits to go with it.
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My verdict
Insert, Drawing, New, then boxes for each person joined with elbow connectors, is the cleanest way to make a family tree in Google Docs. Plan the rows first, turn the page sideways when it gets wide, and use Google Slides for a really big family. For a quick, printable list rather than a picture, the table method is faster. For tagging the faces in old family photos, see how Google Photos recognises faces.
Frequently asked questions
Can several relatives edit the family tree at once?
Yes. Share the document with edit access and each person can add names, while version history shows who changed what.
Does Google Docs have a family tree template?
There's no built-in family tree template, but you can draw one with Insert, Drawing, New.
How do I connect boxes in a Google Docs drawing?
Use the Line tool's elbow connector, which snaps to the edges of shapes.
How do I make my family tree fit on the page?
Switch the page orientation in Page setup, split the tree into branches, or build it in Google Slides.
Can I add photos to a family tree in Google Docs?
Yes. Use the Image button inside the drawing editor.
How do I edit my family tree later?
Click the drawing in the document and choose Edit.
Is there a faster way than drawing?
Yes. Use a table with one row per generation and merged cells for parents.
