Select project items

NVivo sometimes prompts you to select data files, codes, or other project items. For example, if you choose to code content to existing codes, you are prompted to select the codes. Similarly, you might be prompted to select the files you want to include in a text search query. The options vary depending on the types of project items available for selection.

The select dialog shows folders on the left, and project items on the right, as shown below:

1 The folders area on the left, displays all the system and user defined folders that are available for selection. In this area, you can:

• Click the disclosure triangle, to show subfolders
• Click on a folder name, to display the items on the right
• Select a folder check box, to select all items in the folder
• Use the search field to find folders by name

2 The project items area on the right, displays all the project items within a folder. In this area, you can

• Select or deselect individual project items using the check boxes
• (for codes) Click the disclosure triangles to expand code hierarchies
• (for codes) Filter the list of project items, using the filter buttons to show all codes or only codes 'with coding' (codes that already code this source)

3 Use the search to find project items based on their properties—for example, characters in the name, words in the description, or the user that created the item. Refer to Use the search to find project items for more information.

Once you have selected the sources, codes or other project items that you require, click Select.

If you make a mistake, you can clear your selection and start again—clearing the check boxes in the folders area on the right, clears all your selections.

NOTE  Press the Option key when you select a folder to select it and all the subfolders below it. Likewise, press the Option key when you select a code, to select it and all its descendants.

Use the search to find project items

You can use the search feature to find project items based on their properties. You can look for items based on their name or based on words within their description. You can also look for items based on their modification history—for example, you can find items created on a particular date.

1. Click the Search button on the top right of the dialog.
2. By default, the search feature looks for project items where Any of your criteria are met. You can choose All or None, if you want to only find items that meet all your criteria or none of your criteria.
3. Enter your search criteria. For each criteria row, you must:
   • Choose the item property you want to search for—for example, Name
   • Choose the match you want to find—for example, contains.
   • Enter the value you want to search for, then what sort of match you want—for example, family
4. To add additional search criteria, click the Add button to the right of the last criteria in your list. Use the scroll bar on the right to see the added row.

Matching items are displayed and the display updates as you modify your criteria. To select an item, select the check box in the search results.

To stop searching and see items listed in their folders again, select a folder on the left and its contents will be displayed on the right.