Import & Export

QualCoder supports importing and exporting project data in multiple formats for interoperability with other QDA tools and for sharing your work.

Accessing Import/Export

All import and export operations are available from the File Manager toolbar:

• Import button dropdown: Import source files, code lists, survey CSV, REFI-QDA, and RQDA projects
• Export button dropdown: Export selected sources, codebooks, coded HTML, and REFI-QDA projects

The Import dropdown showing all available import formats.

The Export dropdown showing all available export formats.

Export Formats

Export Codebook (.txt)

Export your codebook as a plain text file with codes organized by category.

1. Click Export > Codebook (.txt)...
2. Choose a save location
3. Click Save

The codebook includes code names, colors (as hex values), and category groupings.

Export Coded HTML (.html)

Export coded text as an HTML file with color-highlighted segments.

1. Click Export > Coded HTML (.html)...
2. Choose a save location
3. Click Save

Each coded segment is highlighted with its code's color. Hover over a highlight to see the code name.

Export REFI-QDA Project (.qdpx)

Export the entire project in REFI-QDA format for interoperability with NVivo, ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA, and other tools that support the standard.

1. Click Export > REFI-QDA Project (.qdpx)...
2. Choose a save location
3. Click Save

The .qdpx file is a ZIP archive containing: - project.qde — XML with codes, categories, sources, and coded segments - Sources/ — Embedded source files

Import Formats

Import Code List (.txt)

Import a list of codes from a plain text file. Each line becomes a code. Indented lines (tabs or spaces) are placed under the preceding category.

1. Click Import > Code List (.txt)...
2. Select the text file
3. Click Open

Format example:

Emotions
    Joy
    Anger
    Sadness
Themes
    Resilience
    Growth

Import Survey CSV (.csv)

Import survey data as cases with attributes. Each row becomes a case.

1. Click Import > Survey CSV (.csv)...
2. Select the CSV file
3. Click Open

The first column is used as the case name by default. All other columns become case attributes.

Import REFI-QDA Project (.qdpx)

Import a project exported from another QDA tool in REFI-QDA format.

1. Click Import > REFI-QDA Project (.qdpx)...
2. Select the .qdpx file
3. Click Open

Codes, categories, sources, and coded segments are imported. Existing data is preserved.

Import Firebase Analytics

Import Firebase Analytics data exported from BigQuery as cases with behavioral attributes. See the dedicated Firebase Import guide for full details.

Import RQDA Project (.rqda)

Import a project from RQDA (R package for Qualitative Data Analysis).

1. Click Import > RQDA Project (.rqda)...
2. Select the .rqda file
3. Click Open

Active codes, sources, coded segments, and categories are imported. Deleted items (status != 1) are skipped.