Export nodes

The techniques in this article also apply to other types of codes—for example relationships.

Print a list of nodes

  1. Display codes in List View.
  2. Choose File > Print List.

Share a list of nodes

  1. In List View, select the node folder you want to export.
  2. (Optional) Click the plus An icon for expanding a node hierarchy or minus An icon for collapsing a node hierarchy symbols to expand or collapse the hierarchy.
  3. (Optional) Add or remove columns in List View as required.
  4. On the Share tab, in the Export group, click Export List.
  5. In the Save as type box, choose a file format.

Share a node summary

To export the list of files that are coded at a code (including information about location, references and coverage):

  1. Open the node and switch to the Summary pane.
  2. On the Share tab, in the Export group, click Export.
  3. From the Export options, select Summary View.
  4. (Optional) Change the name, location or format of the exported file.

NOTE  If you export a parent node with node aggregation turned on, the exported node summary includes files coded at the parent and files coded at all of the child nodes.

Share node references

To export the content coded at a code:

  1. Open the code and switch to the Reference pane.
  2. On the Share tab, in the Export group, click Export.
  3. From the Export options, select Reference View.
  4. (Optional) Change the name, location or format of the exported file.

Export the codebook

As you develop your thematic node structure, you can report on the nodes and their descriptions by generating a codebook. A codebook lets you work with your list of nodes and their descriptions outside of NVivo, so you can review or share them with others. A codebook can clarify the meaning of the thematic nodes so that you (or members in your team) can apply them to your data in a consistent manner.

You can export your codebook as:

  • A table in a Microsoft Word document (.docx)
  • An Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx)
  • An XML file in the Codebook Exchange Format (.qdc) that can be opened in other Qualitative Data Analysis tools

Before you export your codebook, it is a good idea to check that you have added information about the meaning of your nodes in the Description field in node properties.

To export a codebook:

  1. On the Share tab, in the Export group, click Export Codebook.
  2. Under Save As, select the Browse button to specify the name, location or format of the exported file, and then click Save.
  3. (Optional) If you have node folders in your project, you can choose which folders you want to include in the codebook. By default, the Automatically select subfolders check box is selected, so any subfolders will be included if you select or deselect a parent folder.
  4. (Optional) Select Include number of files and references check box.

The codebook exists outside of your NVivo project. If you want a copy of your codebook in NVivo, export the codebook in Microsoft Word format, and then import it as a document or memo.

NOTE   Importing a coding structure (empty nodes) from a codebook in .qdc format allows you to reuse a node structure on multiple NVivo projects. Import the nodes from just one, or from several, node folders and you can duplicate a node structure without needing to copy an entire project.

Share all node content

You can export the entire content of a node as a collection of HTML pages—this is a great way to share your findings (including audio and video clips) with colleagues who don't have NVivo. The node is exported as a series of web pages that are stored in your 'My Documents' folder. The 'home' page has the same name as the exported node (for example, adapting to climate change.htm). You can open this file to access the 'mini website'.

NOTE  You need Internet Explorer to play audio or video clips in a node exported as an HTML page.

  1. In List View, select the nodes you want to export.
  2. On the Share tab, in the Export group, click Export.
  3. From the Export list, select Entire Content.
  4. (Optional) Under Save As, select the Browse button to change the name or location of the exported files.
  5. Select the properties and related content that you want to include.
  6. To see the exported HTML pages, select the Open on Export check box.

NOTE  For nodes that code audio and video files, the coded sections of media files will be included upon export only if you coded directly on the audio or video timeline.