WHY ISN'T THERE A "START" BUTTON FOR INDEXING ENTRIES?
I'm sitting here facing a document, ready to index it, but cannot find the "start" button, and nothing I do will present me with a start screen so that I can begin entries in the various fields. This is a very elementary thing that you'd think they would include without fail, but there is no hint of it anywhere. Here is a screen shot:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sevz28klrcvdsbs/Screenshot%202021-08-07%2005.20.04.png?dl=0
There should be no tricks or special knowledge required to be able to begin filling out fields in indexing. There should always be a "start" button.
https://www.familysearch.org/indexing/batch/5eb5d58d-94ac-42ab-8a01-60fd6232650b
Best Answers
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Thanks Melissa.
I already did the training and have indexed in past years. I already followed the directions, and they say just what you said. However, repeatedly answering "yes" got no action. Does that mean that I should just ignore the document on display and go to another batch? And hope that finally it responds to the "yes" answer? I was very hesitant to just abandon that batch.
O.K. I'll assume that the batch on display has either already been done, or that there is a glitch, and try the next batch. If that doesn't work, I will report back.
Bob Smith
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From the image you posted we do not see that you have clicked on Next. Could this be the issue?
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Answers
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Hello Robert! Once you click through and answer the question whether the images need to be indexed, you will arrive at the first entry form and begin indexing.
You probably should do the Guided Tour before beginning to index. You can find it by clicking on Overview and there you find Try A Guided Tour. Also there are some great videos on YouTube that help new indexers. I am especially fond of this one: Getting Started with FamilySearch Web Indexing - Kathryn Grant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGGpcwK9rd8
The other important part of indexing is to read every section of the project instructions and field helps for each project and review the examples. The field helps are accessed by clicking on the purple question mark that appears when you click on a field.
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Look forward to hearing the outcome, Bob! Good luck! When I click through Next (Should this image be indexed? Yes) through all 4 images in your shared batch, it does take me to the 1st document in the batch for indexing. But, perhaps something else is wrong and you will have better luck with a different batch.
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The only thing which permitted me to begin the indexing was to click on the Quality Control button. That shouldn't be necessary, and that shouldn't be the "start" button, but I frequently find with computers that the obvious is just not the solution.
So I didn't have to change batches after all. Very strange.
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Robert, perhaps the issue is something that needs some troubleshooting. Has this always been a problem or is it new? If it is relatively new there are some steps you can take that may help.
Go to familysearch.org/cookies and say yes to resetting your FamilySearch cookies.
Make sure your browser is up to date.
Turn off your computer then turn it back on. All the way off not reboot.
Change browsers. Sometimes there is a temporary issue with a browser that needs time for techs to catch up with. In a few days you can check back to see if it is working properly.
What device do you use? IF you use an iPad then be sure to use it in the vertical position. The horizontal position often seems to cause issues.
If none of these help let us know!
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Glad it worked for you. But, that really makes no sense whatsoever and you are right, you should not have to click on the QC button to begin indexing. There is no "Start" button.
You might want to look over these articles if the problem persists. Often clearing your browser and deleting cookies works when things get bogged up.
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/which-internet-browsers-are-compatible
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/what-browsers-and-devices-work-for-indexing
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I entered all the data for the batch, tried the "submit" button, which then asked for quality check, which then erased all my work. So you are correct that there is no "start" button, even though there should be. One should be able to enter the data, save it, and then do a quality check, and then go on to the next batch.
The system was very poorly designed.
I'll take the time to read each of the URLs you list.
Thanks,
Bob
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I have now switched from Firefox browser to Google Chrome, and that seems to have helped. The data input screen automatically came up without me having to search for it. Now we will see if I can successfully enter data, save it, QC it, and go on to the next batch.
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The data is automatically saved.
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Yes, I see that my data was not actually lost. At the same time, however, the system will not allow me to QC and submit the batch. The QC demands bogus changes where I have marked the entry <Blank>. The system should be readily responsive and accept its own rules.
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The batches are pre-set to a number of entries (1 of 35). You will index only what you need from each document and then delete the unused entries to get the batch to submit. To do this, click on the trash can icon, select "all blank entries", click delete. Now the batch will easily go through the QC and be ready to submit. The system is readily responsive but it wants more. ;)
Looking over your batch: You do not enter Mr or Mrs as a prefix unless it is written on the document. You'll want to check the example on how to index the event place (Brooklyn, Eastern District, New York, United States of America) and the birth places (spell out abbreviations). Also there are often variations of names on these, like on image 3 where the gentleman arrived with a much longer name. You will also want to recheck the information on Image 4 for missing data before you submit.
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It appears that the "Next" button is the start button, but it is not always visible, so one cannot regularly depend on it.
In addition, after entry, and QC, the system demands a total of 35 pages of entries, but presents only 4 images. I entered all four correctly, did QC, but the system insists on the multitude of bogus entries. This is crazy. I never had such problems with indexing in the past (did lots of draft registration cards without difficulty). Either I am an idiot, or there is something terribly wrong with the system now.
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See my answer above about deleting the blank entries. The Next button is always visible. The system is working. There is a learning curve.
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Thank you, Melissa. That trash can is very useful.
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Finally able to submit a completed batch. Phew!!!
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Yep, a tough learning curve. Thanks for getting me through it, Melissa.
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