NVivo 12: Classification sheets

Classification sheets in NV12 display all items in a classification, allowing you to view, set, import, or export attribute values for files or cases.

Aug 26, 2026
Knowledge

Title

NVivo 12: Classification sheets

Answer

Related material

Create case classifications

Work with attribute values

Classification sheets

A classification sheet contains descriptive information about the files or cases in your project.

For example, you may have a file classification sheet for journal articles (including attributes like author and publication date):

Classification sheet showing articles and bibiolgraphical information.

Or a case classification sheet for your interview participants (with attributes like Age Group or Education Level):

Participant classification sheet with cases and demographic information.

NVivo automatically builds a classification sheet when you assign cases or files to a classification.

A classification sheet allows you to see all the items assigned to a particular classification and set the attribute values set for each item.

Importing case classifications

You may have gathered information about your cases in a file outside of NVivo. You can import this data as a 'classification sheet' if it is saved in one of the following formats:

Structured text file (.txt)
Excel spreadsheet (.xls)
IBM SPSS Statistics data file (.sav)

For example, if you have cases representing people, and you have recorded demographic information in a spreadsheet, then you can import this classification data.

Likewise, if you have gathered information about your files outside of NVivo—and the information is in a structured text file or a spreadsheet—you can import it into NVivo as a classification sheet. For example, if you conducted a series of video interviews and have recorded the location and date in a spreadsheet, you can import the videos into NVivo, and then import the classification data.

Prepare your data before you import it

If your data is in a tab-separated text file or spreadsheet, or SPSS data file, you can import the data into a new classification, or you can map the data to an existing classification. The file must contain values in the following format:

Classification name	Attribute 1	Attribute 2	Attribute 3
Item name 1	Value	Value	Value
Item name 2	Value	Value	Value
Item name 3	Value	Value	Value

If your classifying data is in a spreadsheet, the name of the classification must be in the first cell of the worksheet. A spreadsheet can contain multiple classification sheets—each classification sheet must be on a separate worksheet.

In both text and spreadsheet files, the item names (case or file names) in the first column must be formatted the same way in all rows. All names must be one of the following:

The case or file name only (you supply the location on the Import Classification Sheet Wizard)
The full hierarchical name
The node nickname (for cases only).

Import the classification sheet data

On the Import tab, in the Classifications group, select Classification Sheets.
Follow the instructions in the Import Classification Sheets Wizard to import the classification sheet.
When you are done with the wizard, click Finish.

NOTE

If you are importing data for a file classification, NVivo tries to find each file in the location you have specified. If NVivo cannot find a file, an external is created to represent the file and the classification data is applied to the newly created external.
If you are importing bibliographical data and want to be able to export it later to a bibliographical tool such as EndNote or Zotero, you must ensure the data is stored using NVivo's predefined bibliographical classifications. Make sure the appropriate bibliographical classifications have been added to your project before you import the data. You can identify bibliographical classifications by the bibliographical ID displayed on the classification's properties.

Set attribute values for a file or case

On the Home tab, in the Classification, click File Classification or Case Classification and then under Open Classification Sheet, click the classification sheet you want to open.
Click in the cell for the value that you want to set.
Click the arrow and select a new value from the list.
Create a new attribute value by double-clicking in the cell and typing the new value.

Export a classification sheet

You can export a classification sheet to share the data with others or to work with it in a statistical package like IBM SPSS Statistics.

Select the classification you want to export.
On the Share tab, in the Export group, click Export.
Select your export options.

NOTE

If you select multiple classifications, you must export the data to a spreadsheet—each classification is stored in a separate worksheet within the spreadsheet.
Only visible rows and columns are exported—values in hidden rows and columns are not included in the exported data.
Exporting a classification sheet as an SPSS Data File (.sav) means you can open it as a native file in IBM SPSS Statistics - there is no need to edit the content first.

URL Name

NV12Win-Classification-sheets

NVivo 12: Classification sheets

Information

Classification sheets

Importing case classifications

Set attribute values for a file or case

Export a classification sheet

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