Working with Codes
Modifying the Length of a Coded Segment
Select the quotation by clicking on the quotation bar or code in the margin area and move the handle in form of a little orange circles to the right, to the left, or up or down, depending on whether you want to shorten or lengthen the quotation.
Removing a Coding
This option is the reverse function of coding. It removes the links between codes and quotations. Unlike the delete function, neither codes nor quotations are removed; only the association between the code and the quotation is removed.
Margin Area
Right-click on the code in the margin area and select the option Unlink from the context menu.
Coding Dialogue
Double-click on quotation in the margin area. This opens the Coding Dialogue. Click on Applied Codes to quickly see which codes have been applied to the quotation. Click on the button with the minus (-) to remove a code.
Replacing a Code via Drag & Drop
If you want to replace a code that is linked to a data segment, you can drag and drop another code from either the Project Explorer, Code Browser, or the Code Manager on top of it.
Adding, Changing and Removing Code Color
To change the code color, select one or multiple codes in the Code Manager and click on the Change Color button in the Code tab. Select one of the offered colors.
To remove code color, select one or multiple codes in the Code Manager, click on the Change Color button in the Code tab and click on Remove color.
Code color can also be modified in a network. See Further Options in Networks. (see the main manual).
Renaming a Code
In the Project Explorer, the Code Browser, or Code Manager, right-click on a code and select the Rename option. In the Code Manager, you can also click the Rename button in the ribbon. Another option is to click the F2 key.
Deleting One or Multiple Code(s)
In the Project Explorer, the Code Browser, or Code Manager, right-click on a code and select the Delete option. In the Code Manager, you can also click on the Delete button in the ribbon.
About Renaming, Deleting and Unlinking Codes
Renaming and deleting codes are procedures that seem trivial, but understanding the scope of these operations can be a problem for new users. For both operations you must understand, that there is only ONE code, for example 'source of happiness: children' in a given project, even if you applied this code many times.
In the margin are, you may see the code appear many times while scrolling through your document. In fact, you are seeing the codings for this code. Technically speaking, these are links between a quotation represented by a blue bar and the code, represented by its name and icon.
Removing a coding in the margin area (i.e. unlinking the code) is like erasing a word in the margin of a paper document with an eraser. It only affects one coding, i.e. one specific occurrence of the code. All other occurrences of the same code are untouched. The effect of the operation is local.
By renaming or removing a code from a project, you are affecting every occurrence of the code throughout the entire project. The effect is global. Renaming the code will instantly change all the code links in the margin to reflect the new name. Deleting it will remove all occurrences in the margin (and from all other contexts in which it was engaged, like networks, groups, etc.).
Duplicating a Code
It is also possible to duplicate codes with all its linkages. The duplicated code is a perfect clone of the original code including color, comment, code-quotation links, code memo links and code-code links. Duplicating a code can be a useful option to clean up or modify a code system.
To duplicate a code, open the Code Manager, select one or more codes, right-click and select the Duplicate Code(s) option from the context menu, or select the Duplicate Code(s) button in the ribbon. The clone has the same name as the original code plus a consecutive number, i.e. (2).
This option is also available in the Network Editor. See Further Options in Networks. (see the main manual).
Writing Code Comments
Code comments can be used for various types of purposes. The most common usage is to use them for a code definition. If you work in teams, you may also want to add a coding rule, or an example quote. If you work inductively, you can use code comments to write down first ideas of how you want to apply this code. You can also use it to write up summaries of all segments coded with this code and your interpretation about it. There are several ways to write a code comment.
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In the Code Manager is open, you can use the comment field at the bottom of the window.
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In the margin area, you can double-click on a code to open the comment editor. Another option is to right-click on a code and select the Edit Comment option from the context menu, or to click on the Edit Comment button in the ribbon of the contextual Code tab.
All codes that have a comment shows a little yellow flag, and display a tilde (~) at the end of the code name.
Creating a Code Book
The recommended option to create a code book is to use the Excel export:
Open the Code Manager, select all codes (e.g. Strg+A) and click on the Excel Export button in the ribbon.
Select all options that you want to include. Essential options for a code book are codes and comments. You may also want to include groundedness, density and code groups.
Example Outcome:
