{{man note|Note that data can only be imported into an existing a prepared Family Tree (database)|So, if migrating from another program, it is best necessary to start by creating first create a new ''empty '' Family Tree and then import before importing the unauthenticated data into it. Then Once the data is imported, clean up any corruptions or incompatibilities. <br />If the intent is to merge use the import for merging outside data into an existing Gramps Tree by importing, it is less risky complex to import data from a pre-cleaned and validated Tree already in Gramps format. <br />Importing is a risky task, always make a backup of your Tree before importing.}}

First create a [[Gramps_5.1_Wiki_Manual_-_Manage_Family_Trees#Starting_a_new_Family_Tree|new and empty Family Tree]]. Then select the menu {{man menu|Family Trees ->Import}} or use the [[Gramps_5.1_Wiki_Manual_-_Keybindings#2|keybinding]] {{Man key press|CTRL|I}} to import data or restore a previously saved Gramps Family Tree (from an older version of Gramps or the current version) the '''{{man label|Import Family Tree}}''' dialog will open, asking you to specify the file you wish to import.

If [[File:Warning_UndoHistory-dialog-51.png|thumb|left|182px|Fig. {{#var:chapter}}.{{#vardefineecho:figure|{{#expr:{{#var:figure}}+1}}}} Import warning dialog]]As you attempt to import into an existing a Family Tree that is '''''not empty''''', the {{man label|Undo history warning}} dialog will open giving . This reminds you the opportunity to stop the import and create make a backup before importing. Create a new Family Treeinstead, unless you are deliberately knowingly attempting to merge data.

{{man warn|Data loss with some formats |It is important to note that there is no direct one-to-one correspondence between all the features of Gramps and those of GEDCOM or GeneWeb or Pro-Gen. Therefore, when importing from any of these formats unrecognized data chunks may be lost. Details of data that may be at greatest risk of being lost from GEDCOM is given [[#GEDCOM_import|below]].}}

{{man note|Reorder {{man label[[Gramps_Glossary#event|Event}}s Events]] generated by other programs|Some programs from which you have imported data may not order the events by date as you expect. They will be in the order they were exported by the other program. Gramps provides help for reordering events according to your preference. See the [[Gramps_5.1_Wiki_Manual_-_Tools#Sort_Events|Sort Events]] tool.}}