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How to Use NVivo

Welcome to NVivo for Windows

Upon downloading NVivo for Windows you will be presented with the following screen:NVivo for windows open project screen

Getting Started With NVivo for Windows

1. On the NVivo Start screen, click Blank Project.

2. Enter a name for this project and add a description.

3. Click the Browse button and choose a location to save your project (you can work locally or on a network). NVivo projects are saved as .nvp files.

If your organization has purchased NVivo Server, in the Save as type list, select NVivo Server Projects. Refer to the NVivo support page for more information.

You can arrange the workspace to suit the way you like to work. For example, you can minimize the ribbon or use the options on the View tab to:

  • Hide Navigation View to make more room (ALT+F1).

  • Show, hide or re-order the columns displayed in List View.

  • Display Detail View on the bottom of the screen—this is particularly useful when working with queries.

  • Undock Detail View into a separate window. 

Commands are organized into logical groups on the ribbon, collected together under tabs. THE RIBBON COMMANDS HAVE CHANGED IN NVIVO 12 and may appear differenty from these illustrations.

Each tab relates to a type of activity, such as creating new project items or analyzing your source materials. 

Navigation View:

NVivo navigation view

List View: 

When you select a folder in Navigation View, its contents are displayed in List View. In this view, you can add new items, open existing items and edit item properties. This List View displays the contents of a folder 

NVivo list view screen

Detail View: 

When you open an item from List View the content is displayed in Detail View