Work with attribute values

If you want to record information about the files and cases in your project, you can do this by assigning the file or case to a classification, and then setting the attribute value for each attribute.

When an attribute has a finite list of possible values, you can define the values when you create the attribute. For example, the attribute sector may have industry, agriculture and retail as the possible attribute values. You can add the attribute values manually or import them from a text file.

Attribute values can also be added, as needed, when you assign files or cases to a classification and set their attribute values. For example, you could open the properties for the case Mary and create attribute values (age=22 and occupation=teacher).

Any attribute values you add must be compatible with the attribute's data type. For example, if the data type is 'text' then you can enter alphanumeric characters.

Add attribute values

By default, an attribute has only two values—'Unassigned' and 'Not Applicable', you can add additional attribute values.

1. In List View, select the attribute—click the show icon to see the attributes for a classification.
2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Properties image.
3. Click the Values tab.
4. Click Add and enter the value.

NOTE  The value you enter must be compatible with the attribute's data type. For example, if the data type is 'text' then you can enter alphanumeric characters.

5. (Optional) Enter a description of the value.
6. (Optional) Click the Default check box to make this the default attribute value for all files and cases assigned to the classification.

Import attribute values

You can import a list of attribute values from a text (.txt) file. For example, if your classification includes the attribute Country of Origin, you can save time by importing a list of countries. The text file must contain a single column of attribute values.

1. In List View, select the attribute—click the show icon to see the attributes for a classification.
2. Right-click on an attribute, then click Import Attribute Values.
3. Under Import from, click Browse and then select the text file that contains the data you want to import.
4. Click the Open button.
5. Click OK. To see the values you have imported, open the attribute properties and click the Values tab.

NOTE   NVivo tries to detect the file encoding used in the file. If the data does not import correctly, try using a different file encoding.

Reorder attribute values

You can set the order that attribute values are displayed in charts and reports. For example, you may want your chart or report to display attributes in the following order

• Small
• Medium
• Large

The order of 'text' values is also significant if you want to find or query items where a specific attribute is greater or less than a selected value.

1. In List View, select the attribute—click the show icon to see the attributes for a classification.
2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Properties image.
3. Click the Values tab.
4. Select an attribute value and use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to change the order.

Set the default attribute value

When you create a new attribute, the default value is set to 'Unassigned'—you can select another value for the default.

1. In List View, select the attribute—click the show icon to see the attributes for a classification.
2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Properties image.
3. Click the Values tab.
4. Select the check box for the attribute value that you want to use as the default.

Set the color for an attribute value

You can set the color for an attribute value. This a useful way to distinguish the value in coding stripes and visualizations. For example, you could display urban locations in red and rural locations in green.

1. In List View, select the attribute—click the show icon to see the attributes for a classification.
2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Properties image.
3. Click the Values tab.
4. For each value that you want to color, select your preferred color from the Color list.

Delete attribute values

1. In List View, select the attribute—click the show icon to see the attributes for a classification.
2. On the Home tab, in the Item group, click the Properties image.
3. Click the Values tab.
4. Select the attribute value you want to delete and then click the Remove button.
5. Click OK.
6. If the attribute value has been assigned to items in your project, the Delete Attribute Value dialog box opens. Select a replacement value from the list and click OK to close the dialog. Any cases or files that were assigned the deleted attribute value will now be assigned the replacement value.
7. Click OK.