F.A.Q.

Frequently asked questions and answers.

Q: What is HelixPeek?
A: HelixPeek is a free desktop application that lets you analyze your raw DNA data from Ancestry.com.

Q: How do I download my raw DNA data from Ancestry.com?
1. Log in to your Ancestry account
Go to Ancestry.com and sign in with your email and password.
2. Click on your profile icon
In the top-right corner of the screen, click your profile image or name to open the dropdown menu.
3. Select "Your DNA Results Summary"
From the dropdown menu, click on "Your DNA Results Summary" to go to your main DNA dashboard.
4. Click on "Settings"
On the DNA Results Summary page, click the "Settings" button near the top right.
5. Scroll down to "Download Raw DNA Data"
On the Settings page, scroll down until you find the "Download Raw DNA Data" section.
6. Click "Download"
Click the green "Download" button. Ancestry will ask you to confirm your password.
7. Enter your password and agree to the terms
Re-enter your password and check the box to agree to Ancestry’s terms regarding raw data.
8. Check your email for a download link
Ancestry will send you an email with a secure download link. Open that email in your inbox.
9. Click the download link in the email
This link will take you to a secure page where you can download your raw DNA data as a ZIP file.
10. Save the ZIP file to your computer
Choose a location on your computer to save the file. Once downloaded, unzip it to view or use the raw data.

Q: I did a heritage test on another site. Will the app still work?
A: Probably not. However, if you send me a snippet of your raw data file (you can change the numbers and letters), I can take a look at how it's structured and possibly adapt the program.

Q: What do I need to use HelixPeek?
A: Python and the required libraries (import <library name>)

Q: I'm a biology nerd and would love to help with your hobby project!
Yes, please!

Q: Why is it still a beta version?
A: The program has only been tested with a few raw DNA files. There might still be bugs. If you're unsure about the results, you can click "Include rsID & genotype" to verify the information yourself. This will display the rsID and genotype, for example: (rsID: rs1426654, Genotype: AA).

Q: How many traits does it analyze?
A: The current version checks 113 traits, but that number could increase. Bookmark this site — we’ll definitely be releasing updates in the future.