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About projects
An NVivo project contains the materials you are exploring and your analysis of those materials. This topic explains some basics about working with an NVivo project—for example, learn about project properties and the importance of regularly saving your project.
In this topic
- What is an NVivo project?
- What are project properties?
- Working with your project on Windows or Mac
- What is the maximum project size for Mac projects?
- Protect your data by saving and copying projects
- Can I open a project from a network drive?
- Storing NVivo projects on memory sticks (or other storage devices)
- Can I work with a server project?
- Can I open projects created in earlier versions of NVivo?
- Can I open projects created in MAXQDA and ATLAS.ti?
What is an NVivo project?
Your project contains your source materials—for example, interview transcripts, audio recordings and video clips.
Your project also contains your analysis of these source materials. As you explore your source materials, you can:
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Add annotations to source content
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Add memos to record your observations and ideas
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Create nodes to represent themes, people, and places
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Code your materials to the nodes you have created
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Run queries to find recurring themes
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Use hierarchy charts and explore diagrams to see patterns and connections.
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Use mind maps to brainstorm your ideas and visualize your thoughts.
For more information on the features available in this release of the software, refer to the QSR website.
What are project properties?
Each NVivo project has its own set of project properties, which provide descriptive information about your project (for example, the project's title) or allow you to make configuration changes to the project.
For example, via project properties, you can:
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Record the title and description of your project
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Set passwords to restrict access to your project
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Change the text content language—this is the language used when you run Text Search and Word Frequency queries.
You can access the project's properties from the File menu—refer to Set project properties for more information.
Working with your project on Windows or Mac
You can work with your project on both the Windows and Mac versions of the software.
NVivo projects created on the Mac platform have a different file format from those created in NVivo on the Windows platform.
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NVivo 11 for Mac (.nvpx)
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NVivo 11 for Windows (.nvp)
You cannot open an NVivo 11 for Windows project (.nvp) in your NVivo for Mac software—you will need to convert it to the NVivo 11 for Mac format first. You can do this using the 'copy project' feature in NVivo 11 for Windows. You can also export selected items from an NVivo 11 for Windows project to a new NVivo for Mac (Version 11) project.
NVivo 11 for Windows provides additional analysis features that are not currently available in NVivo for Mac—for example, framework matrices and reports. For an overview of the features available in this release, refer to the QSR website.
If you work with your project in NVivo 11 for Windows and then convert it back to the NVivo 11 for Mac format, when you open the project in NVivo for Mac, any items that are not currently supported on the Mac version of the software are hidden.
For more information about working with projects on both Windows and Mac, refer to Work with your projects on Windows or Mac.
What is the maximum project size for Mac projects?
The maximum project size for NVivo for Mac format projects is 512GB.
Audio and video files can be stored inside the project or outside your project—for example, on a shared network drive. Refer to Store audio and video files for more information.
Protect your data by saving and copying projects
When you are working with a project, you should save your project frequently and make regular backup copies. Saving and copying your project can help prevent loss of data in the event of a power outage or hardware malfunction.
You should consider keeping a backup copy of your project on another physical device (for example, a network file server, a memory stick or other storage device) stored separately from your computer. This can protect your data if your computer is lost or stolen.
Refer to Save and copy projects for more information.
Can I open a project from a network drive?
This not currently supported in NVivo for Mac. Of course, you can keep a backup copy of your project on a network drive, but you cannot open projects that are stored in a network location.
Storing NVivo projects on memory sticks (or other storage devices)
You can open and work with projects that are stored on memory sticks or external hard drives that use the Mac OS Extended file system.
If you work with a project stored on a memory stick or other external storage device, make sure you close the project before you eject the disk and then remove the device.
Can I work with a server project?
You cannot use the NVivo for Mac software to connect to a project that is stored on an NVivo Server.
If you want to work with a server project, you must use the NVivo for Windows software—server projects will be supported in a future version of NVivo for Mac.
Can I open projects created in earlier versions of NVivo?
You can open a project created in an earlier version of NVivo for Mac—refer to Open a project created in an earlier version for more information.
You cannot open a project created in earlier versions of NVivo for Windows (or NUD*IST) in your NVivo for Mac software—you will need to convert it to the NVivo for Mac project format first. You can do this using the 'copy project' feature in NVivo 11 for Windows.
For more information, refer to the NVivo 11 for Windows Help.
Can I open projects created in MAXQDA and ATLAS.ti?
If you want to work with a project created in MAXQDA or ATLAS.ti, you must first open it using the NVivo for Windows software—you can then copy the project as a Mac project (.nvpx) that you can open with NVivo for Mac.
For more information, refer to the NVivo 11 for Windows Help.