NVivo: Matrix Coding Query Displaying Zero/Incorrect Results

Matrix Coding in NVivo: Finds intersections between rows and columns in a query. Only shows results where codes share the same source data.

Aug 25, 2026
Knowledge

Title

Answer

Understanding Matrix Coding in NVivo

Background

The matrix coding query looks for common coding, ie. the intersection between the rows and columns specified in the query.

For two project items to have common coding, they should be coded to the same source data.

Matrix Coding Example

Code 1 has a classification with attribute A and

Code 2 has a classification with attribute B

Source File 1 is Interviewee 1

Source File 2 is Interviewee 2

The Matrix Query (with attribute A as row and attribute B as column) will only work if Code 1 and 2 have both been coded to Source File 1 or 2.

Matrix Coding Query

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Matrix-Coding-Query-Displaying-Zero-Incorrect-Results