Open PAF files

  • Full name
    Personal Ancestral Format
  • Developer
    Intellectual Reserve
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a PAF file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a PAF file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your PAF file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is PAF file?

The file extension PAF is used by the genealogy software Personal Ancestral File for the result files. These contain data about the family tree, such as ancestors, descendants and their relationships.

More info

The software is offered through the FamilySearch.Org website, run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Programs which can open a PAF file

How to open file with PAF extension?

In order to open a file with PAF extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening PAF file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with PAF files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install RootsMagic or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening PAF files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support PAF files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of PAF files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set RootsMagic as the default program for opening PAF files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate PAF files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the RootsMagic applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where RootsMagic has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with PAF files

Sometimes problems with opening PAF files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • PAF files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open PAF files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • PAF file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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