Create codes automatically

NVivo provides tools that help you to create codes automatically.

Create codes from... Description

Importing files

Create codes automatically and code entire files to the codes when you import them.

  • An NCapture file—specify codes to code to when you use NCapture to gather web pages and social media data.

Query results

When you set up a query, you can choose to save the results as a new code. For example, you could

  • Run a Text Search query looking for the terms farming and cultivation and code all occurrences at a new code called agriculture.
  • Run a Coding query to find all content coded to wind power and solar power and gather it into a new code called alternative energy.

Mind Map

You can create codes automatically after you have built a mind map. The code hierarchy matches the mind map structure.

Autocoding

You can autocode datasets based on structure. For example, if you are working with a dataset containing survey responses, you can use the Autocode Dataset Assistant to make a code for each survey question. Autocode Datasets

Importing a codebook

To create your code structure, you can import a codebook that has been saved in the Codebook Exchange Format (.qdc). This is a standard format for sharing codes between Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) tools.

To import a codebook:

1. On the Import tab, click Codebook.

2. Locate and open the .qdc file.

3. To include colors that have been assigned to codes, click the Include colors checkbox.

NOTE  Colors can vary between QDA tools. If you select the Include colors checkbox, NVivo uses the closest color match. This can lead to unexpected results and should be considered carefully if you have used colors to identify particular categories of codes.