Managing Codes

Codes are labels you apply to segments of your data. They help categorize and analyze patterns in your research.

Understanding Codes

A code represents a concept, theme, or category in your data. Each code has:

• Name - A descriptive label (e.g., "Positive Experience")
• Color - Visual identifier for highlighting
• Memo - Optional notes about the code's meaning

Creating Codes

Create a New Code

1. In the Coding screen, press N (or click the + button)
2. Enter a code name
3. Select a color from the palette or enter a custom hex color
4. Optionally add a description
5. Click Create Code

Tip: Hex Colors

Hex colors start with # followed by 6 characters (e.g., #FF5733).

Organizing Codes

Create Categories

Categories group related codes into a hierarchy:

1. Click Create Category
2. Enter a category name
3. Optionally select a parent category for nesting
4. Add an optional memo to describe the category
5. Click Create

Hierarchy Example

Emotions (category)
├── Positive (code)
│   ├── Joy (code)
│   └── Gratitude (code)
└── Negative (code)
    ├── Frustration (code)
    └── Disappointment (code)

Editing Codes

Rename or Recolor

1. Right-click a code in the code list
2. Select Edit
3. Modify the name, color, or memo
4. Click Save

Add a Memo

Memos help document what a code means and when to use it:

1. Right-click a code
2. Select Edit Memo
3. Enter your description
4. Click Save

Tip: Good Memo Practice

Include: - Definition of the code - Examples of when to apply it - Boundaries (what it doesn't include)

Deleting Codes

1. Right-click a code and select Delete
2. If the code has coded segments, you'll see a warning with options:
3. Delete code only - Removes the code but keeps segments (they become orphaned)
4. Delete code and segments - Removes both
5. Click Delete to confirm

AI-Assisted Code Management

Suggest New Codes

The AI can analyze your data and suggest new codes:

1. Click AI > Suggest Codes
2. Review the suggestions (each shows name, description, and confidence level)
3. Click Approve to add a code, or Reject to dismiss

Detect Duplicate Codes

Over time, similar codes may accumulate. The duplicate detector helps clean up:

1. Click AI > Find Duplicates
2. Review candidate pairs (each shows code names, similarity percentage, and segment counts)
3. Click Merge A → B to combine codes, or Dismiss if they're not duplicates

Best Practices

Code Naming - Use clear, descriptive names - Be consistent with verb tense ("Expressing" vs "Expressed") - Avoid overly long names

Color Usage - Use similar colors for related codes - Reserve bright colors for important codes - Consider colorblind-friendly palettes

Categories - Don't over-categorize early - Let categories emerge from your data - Reorganize as your understanding grows

Next Steps

With your coding scheme ready:

1. Start coding your text
2. Use auto-code for patterns