MAXQDA 2007
MAXQDA supports all individuals performing qualitative data analysis and helps to systematically evaluate and interpret texts. It is also a powerful tool for developing theories and testing the theoretical conclusions of the analysis. It is used in a wide range of academic and non-academic disciplines, such as in Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, Anthropology, Education, Marketing, Economics and Urban Planning.
Get a quick overview:
The MAXQDA user interface
Read more about the History of MAXQDA.

See more screenshots.
The clearly structured main screen of MAXQDA is divided into four main windows which reflect essential management work areas in the process of qualitative data analysis:
- the complete data set (“Text groups” window),
- the code- or category system (“Code system” window),
- the single text, always directly accessible (“Text Browser” window), and
- the field for performing basic and complex searches, theoretical concept verification (“Retrieved Segments” window).
All essential management functions are directly embedded in each respective window. Further functions and short cuts are accessible via the upper menu bar. The fully integrated add-on module for analysis of vocabulary and content MAXDictio, as well as the visual tool MAXMaps are also available in this menu.
MAXQDA distinguishes itself from other text analysis tools through its high efficiency and stability, its elaborate functionality and its user friendliness. The program’s simplicity does not, however, imply a lack of sophistication: MAXQDA proves that high technical standard and power can be combined with simple and intuitive use. This strength is in large part due to the following characteristics:
- clear and neat program structure,
- extensive and differentiated functions combined with a unique and highly-advanced visualization available for the processes of coding, memo-writing and browsing, and
- seamless integration into the world of MS Office and MS Internet Explorer.
Overview of Pivotal MAXQDA Functions:
- Work with manuscripts in rich text format (.rtf). Texts can be created and edited at any time and can be imported in rich text format (no need for pre-formatting).
- Import texts from the Internet using “drag-and-drop”.
- Create groups and organize textual material.
- Build temporary analysis text sets for specific interpretations.
- Create a hierarchical code (category) system with up to ten levels.
- Select and code text segments and assign codes or sub-codes from the code system.
- Define text units while coding.
- Attach a weight score to text segments indicating their relevance to the research.
- Select words or terms in the manuscript and insert them automatically into the code system (”in-vivo-coding”).
- Search for words and strings or combinations of words and strings in the text or its subgroups.
- Display search results as “keywords in context”.
- Code search results automatically.
- Keep track of ideas and hypotheses by writing memos.
- Work with memos using the elaborated MAXQDA Memo Manager and search through them with the MAXQDA lexical search tool.
- Attach special icons to the different types of memos (”theory memos”, “methodological memos”, etc.).
- Print texts with codings on the edge of the text.
- Link a memo to as many codes as you want to relate it to.
- Define quantitative variables and use them in combination with texts and code words.
- Export the table of variables to statistical programs or Excel.
- Import a table of variables from Excel or SPSS.
- Pre-code text segments, for example for the analysis of open-ended questions in questionnaires.
- Work together in teams and use special teamwork functions.
- Create a backup of a whole project or study and send it to colleagues via the Internet.
- Merge projects, for instance in qualitative panel analysis.
- Use a set of ten strongly improved and illustrated analytical functions for text retrieval (”near”, “surrounded by”, “followed by”, “at least”, etc.).
- Get support from a detailed online handbook.
- Use different coders in one project; codings can be faded out.
- The Code Matrix and Code Relation Browser create an overview of the coding distribution and show overlaps: both allow direct access to the corresponding text segments.
- Put text segments and memos back into context; assigned memos and text segments can be shown in their original context at any time.
System Requirements:
- Processor: Pentium III or better (minimum: 700 MHz)
- Operating System: Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista
- Available RAM: 512 MB (minimum)
- Monitor: Recommend 1024×768 resolution or higher
- Install from: Download or CD ROM
- MAXQDA is a Windows program; in order to use it on MAC OS, you will need an emulation software like
BootCamp or
Parallels



More languages
User comments