Export codes

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

Print a list of codes

You can print the list of codes visible in the List View (NVivo prints what you can see—collapsed code hierarchies are printed collapsed, and expanded hierarchies are printed expanded):

  1. Open a code folder to display the codes in the List View.
    NOTE: Be sure to widen the columns in the List View to see all text—truncated text is also truncated in the print.
  2. Select File > Print > Print List.

Share a list of codes

  1. In the List View, select the code 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 the List View as required Show, hide or re-order columns.
  4. On the Share tab, in the Export menu, select Export List.
  5. In the Save as type box, choose a file format.

Share a code summary

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

  1. Open the code and switch to the Summary tab.
  2. On the Share tab, in the Export menu, select 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 code with code aggregation turned on, the exported code summary includes files coded to the parent and files coded to all of the child codes.

Share code references

To export the content coded to a code:

  1. Open the code or select it in the List View.
  2. On the Share tab, in the Export menu, select Export.
  3. From the export options, select Reference View, and select any linked items that you want to export with the reference text—e.g. if you select annotations they become endnotes in the exported file.
  4. (Optional) Change the name, location or format of the exported file.

Export the codebook

As you develop your thematic code structure, you can report on the codes and their descriptions by generating a codebook. A codebook lets you work with your list of codes and their descriptions outside of NVivo, so you can review or share them with others. A codebook can clarify the meaning of the thematic codes 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 codes in the Description field in code properties.

To export a codebook:

  1. On the Share tab, in the Export menu, select 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 code 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 codes) from a codebook in .qdc format allows you to reuse a code structure on multiple NVivo projects. Import the codes from just one, or from several, code folders and you can duplicate a code structure without needing to copy an entire project.

Share all code content

You can export the entire content of a code 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 code 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 code (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 code exported as an HTML page.

  1. In the List View, select the codes you want to export.
  2. On the Share tab, in the Export menu, select 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 codes 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.