Work with attribute values

If you want to record information about the files and cases in your project, you can do this by assigning the file or case to a classification, and then setting the attribute value for each attribute.

When an attribute has a finite list of possible values, you can define the values when you create the attribute. For example, the attribute sector may have industry, agriculture and retail as the possible attribute values. You can add the attribute values manually or import them from a text file.

Attribute values can also be added, as needed, when you assign files or cases to a classification and set their attribute values. For example, you could open the properties for the case Mary and create attribute values (age=22 and occupation=teacher).

Any attribute values you add must be compatible with the attribute's data type. For example, if the data type is 'text' then you can enter alphanumeric characters.

Add attribute values

By default, an attribute has only two values—'Unassigned' and 'Not Applicable', you can add additional attribute values.

  1. In List View, select the attribute—click the disclosure triangle to see the attributes for a classification.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Get Info.
  3. Existing attribute values are listed in the dialog. If you cannot see the attribute values, click the disclosure triangle to show them.
  4. To add another value, click the Add button.
  5. NOTE  The value you enter must be compatible with the attribute's data type. For example, if the data type is 'text' then you can enter alphanumeric characters.

  6. (Optional) Enter a description of the value.

NOTE

  • You can set this as the default attribute value for any item assigned to the classification, select the Default button.
  • You can also add attribute values when you classify a case or classify a file.

 

Import attribute values

You can import a list of attribute values from a text (.txt) file. For example, if your classification includes the attribute Country of Origin, you can save time by importing a list of countries. The text file must contain a single column of attribute values.

  1. In List View, select the attribute—click the disclosure triangle to see the attributes for a classification.
  2. On the Data tab, in the Import group, click Attribute Values.
  3. Select the text file that contains the data you want to import.
  4. Select the text file that contains the data you want to import, and then click the Import button.
  5. You can view the values you imported on the Attribute Properties dialog—which you can open by clicking Get Info, in the Item group on the Home tab.

NOTE   NVivo tries to detect the file encoding used in the file. If the data does not import correctly, try using a different file encoding.

Reorder attribute values

The order of 'text' values issignificant if you want to find or query items where a specific attribute is greater or less than a selected value.

  1. In List View, select the attribute—click the disclosure triangle to see the attributes for a classification.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Get Info.
  3. Existing attribute values are listed in the dialog. If you cannot see the attribute values, click the disclosure triangle to show them.
  4. Select an attribute value and change the order using the Move Up and Move Down buttons

Set the default attribute value

When you create a new attribute, the default value is set to 'Unassigned'—you can select another value for the default.

  1. In List View, select the attribute—click the disclosure triangle to see the attributes for a classification.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Get Info.
  3. Existing attribute values are listed in the dialog. If you cannot see the attribute values, click the disclosure triangle to show them.
  4. Select the check box for the attribute value that you want to use as the default.

Set the color for an attribute value

You can set the color for an attribute value.

  1. In List View, select the attribute—click the disclosure triangle to see the attributes for a classification.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Get Info.
  3. Existing attribute values are listed in the dialog. If you cannot see the attribute values, click the disclosure triangle to show them.
  4. For each value that you want to color, select your preferred color from the Color pop-up menu.

Delete attribute values

  1. In List View, select the attribute—click the disclosure triangle to see the attributes for a classification.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Get Info.
  3. Existing attribute values are listed in the dialog. If you cannot see the attribute values, click on the disclosure triangle to show them.
  4. Select the attribute value you want to delete and then click the Delete button.
  5. Click Done.

NOTE

  • If the attribute value you are deleting is currently in use, you will be prompted to select a replacement attribute value. Any cases or files that were assigned the deleted attribute value will now be assigned the replacement value.
  • You cannot remove the system defined values 'Unassigned' and 'Not Applicable'.