John, Since we first got the Compact file feature, back in about Version 5, I have been compacting my file. That same file is the one I am working on today in FTM2014 I ALWAYS Compact the file AND Back Up my file just before I use the SyncNow. I can only share my experience. Compacting my file is part of my "end of day" routine. It has kept my file clean. Russ   ___________________________ Mailto:[email protected] ________________________________ From: John Maynard <[email protected]> To: H R Worthington <[email protected]>; [email protected]; "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2014 9:20 AM Subject: To Compact or Not Compact. At 04:12 AM 06-03-14 -0800, H R Worthington wrote: > Mike, You really do NOT need to get to 0%. Running it one time will work. At least it has for me since FTM2008. Russ  I'd only run it if for some reason FTM is slowing down on you, as it was for me this evening. I ran it once (after backing up), and it scored 0.00%. My program is running a lot faster.

Dear John & Russ, Thanks to you both for your replies, I was not aware that 2014 would not compact to zero and as usual the forum will always answer fully any questions. I still have one query though is there a way of opening up permanently all the extended families so as they can be viewed permanently in family view, not pedigree view. I have reproduced below original email. Regards, Mike. "Another point I would like to ask is it possible to show in the family tree view all the ancestors or descendants, as my family view has lots of boxes next to persons showing that there are further ancestors, descendants, if possible I would like all these shown without having to open as necessary, i.e. is there a setting that needs applying in the options or elsewhere."

Mike, I did NOT say WOULD NOT, I said that I only  Compact my file one time. I do NOT try to get it to 0%. My experience is that One time works for me. Russ   ___________________________ Mailto:[email protected] ________________________________ From: mikethacker <[email protected]> To: 'H R Worthington' <[email protected]>; [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 6:27 AM Subject: RE: [FTM-TECH] To Compact or Not Compact. Dear John & Russ,                       Thanks to you both for your replies, I was not aware that 2014 would not compact to zero and as usual the forum will always answer fully any questions. I still have one query though is there a way of opening up permanently all the extended families so as they can be viewed permanently in family view, not pedigree view. I have reproduced below original email.

At 10:27 AM 11-03-14 +0000, mikethacker wrote: >Dear John & Russ, >Thanks to you both for your replies, I was not >aware that 2014 would not compact to zero and as usual the forum >will always answer fully any questions. I'm a bit confused, Mike. Not only does FTM-2014 compact to zero, it can do it through two passes, whether the file is open or not. While I've been told that compacting isn't as critical as in previous versions of FTM, it's still a good idea, along with regular backups. John M. Re. your other questions, I bow to other experts at this forum. 8-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Maynard Phillip Island, Australia ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Let there be Peace on Earth, Justice and Prosperity ... ... and an End to Violence, Poverty and Greed."