Things to consider about project conversion

[canarik]

Hello everyone,

When using Nvivo there are situations where you might need to share your project files with your colleagues.

Moreover, you might need to switch from Windows to Mac or vice-versa.

In such scenarios there some rules that you would better take into consideration:

Best practice : Always share or convert a copy of your original/master project file!

General rule regarding Nvivo versions: No backwards compatibility.

1. Projects created in older major versions can be opened in newer major versions—e.g. you can open version 12 projects in NVivo release 1—the older-version project file is copied and the copy formatted for the newer version—the original file is not changed.
2. Projects created in newer major versions cannot be opened in older major versions—e.g. you cannot open release 1 projects in NVivo version 12.
3. Minor versions are compatible—e.g. you can open a project created in NVivo release 1.4 in release 1.5, and vice versa 

Please note that there is an exception to the 3rd rule;

Due to database improvements, NVivo release 1.6 is like a major version in terms of compatibility—you cannot open release 1.6 (or following) projects in NVivo release 1.5 or earlier. Release 1.5 and earlier projects are copied and upgraded if opened in NVivo 1.6 or later.

General rule regarding Nvivo OS Platform:

• Nvivo for Windows has a built in conversion tool.
• Please note that above version rules apply to all platform conversions

1. If you are using Nvivo for Windows, you would like to share your project with colleagues who also use Nvivo for Windows, you can create a copy and share that copy. You can do this either outside of Nvivo using Windows's "Copy-Paste" feature or Nvivo's "Create a copy" feature as outlined here.
2. If you are using  Nvivo for Windows, you would like to share your project with colleagues who use Nvivo for Mac, you need to covert your project file. To do this please follow the steps outlines here.
3. If you are using Nvivo for Mac, you would like to share your project with colleagues who also use Nvivo for Mac, you can create a copy and share that copy. You can do this outside of Nvivo using Mac OS' "Duplicate" feature. Please save and close your project before creating a duplicate.
4. If you are using Nvivo for Mac, you would like to share your project with colleagues who also use Nvivo for Windows, you do not need to convert your project. You can create a copy and share that copy. You can do this outside of Nvivo using Mac OS' "Duplicate" feature.  Please save and close your project before creating a duplicate.
5. When sharing projects for conversion, Nvivo for Mac users should not use "Export project" feature, since exported file will be a .qdpx file which has multiple limitations listed here. Instead, as mentioned above, please use Mac OS' native "Duplicate" feature.

I hope this will be helpful for you.

Regards,