MAXQDA - The Art of Text Analysis


FAQs - Frequently asked questions

  1. Does MAXQDA also run on a MAC?
  2. When I double-click the project file, MAXQDA opens for a brief moment and then closes immediately.
  3. Is MAXQDA able to import PDF files?
  4. My 30-day trial version has expired prematurely.
  5. Is MAXQDA able to calculate an Intercoder-Reliability?
  6. I am missing the XY function in MAXQDA
  7. When I choose “Project > Duplicate” the size of the project is being reduced!
  8. Will I be able to work on projects that I have created with the demo version once I have obtained the full version?
  9. Are the MAXQDA projects of the different program versions (M2K, MX2, MX3) compatible?
  10. Which version of MAXQDA do I own?
  11. I can’t import my exported data into SPSS!
  12. Läuft MAXQDA unter Windows Vista?

1 Does MAXQDA also run on a MAC?

Currently there is no MAXQDA version for MacOS (neither for one of the classic versions nor OS X). At this time, there are no plans to create such a version. However, there is still an option to run MAXQDA on Apple.
Since MAC OS X (Core 2 Duo) using Windows programs on a MAC (with the software external link BootCamp or externer Link Parallels for example) has become much easier.
The following paper explains the use of MAXQDA on MacOS.
Download the paper

(Updated June 2005 - Author: Claus Stefer)

2 When I double-click the project file, MAXQDA opens and then closes immediately.

It is possible that the project file is in read-only mode. Please right-click the file and select “Properties”: If there is a check mark in front of “Read-only”, deactivate it and confirm by clicking “OK”.
If this does not solve the problem, please contact our support team.

3 Is MAXQDA able to import PDF files?

No, MAXQDA can only work with RTF files. However, PDF files can be transferred into the RTF format. Adobe Acrobat allows you to save a file in RTF format, for example. We recommend using text recognition programs like external link FineReader or external link OmniPage, where even older versions will produce good conversion results.

4 My 30-day trial version has expired prematurely.

The trial version of MAXQDA 2007 may only be installed once. Should you experience this kind of problem please forward the e-mail containing the download link to demo@maxqda.de and shortly illustrate what you have done.

5 Is MAXQDA able to calculate an Intercoder-Reliability?

No, this function is not available in the current version. MAXQDA does, on the other hand, offer different options for the communicative and qualitative reliability validation, for example through the use of different colors.
Aside from that it is also possible to export the table-like “Overview of Codings” and conduct a reliability validation in other programs, such as SPSS or EXCEL, afterwards.

6 I am missing the XY function in MAXQDA …

You are more than welcome to send your constructive suggestions for program improvements to info@maxqda.de. We may use them in a newer version of the program.
Every year in March, the Philipps-University Marburg conducts a conference where a personal exchange with the developer of the program, Prof. Dr. Udo Kuckartz, is possible (see external link www.caqd.de).

7 When I choose “Project > Duplicate” the size of the project is reduced!

MAXQDA projects are database files. If you duplicate a project all unnecessary information, such as texts and codes you may have deleted during your research, will be deleted from the file. This way a file’s size may be reduced; in some cases even by more than half.

8 Will I be able to work on projects that I have created with the demo version once I have obtained the full version?

Yes, that poses no problem because the demo version of MAXQDA is a full version. It even contains the add-on MAXDictio. However, it is limited to 30 days.

9 Are the MAXQDA projects of the different program versions (M2K, MX2, MX3) compatible?

As usual in software development, the compatibility only works in one direction: upwards. Each newer version can read the older project types, but not the other way around: MAXQDA 2007 can read all files, MAXQDA 2 can read MX2- and M2K-files, and MAXQDA 1 can only read M2K files.

10 Which version of MAXQDA do I own?

Open a window via the menu “?” > Info”. In the first row you will find specifics on the installed version.

11 I can’t import my exported data into SPSS!

Since its 2007 version, MAXQDA has been using the standard for Unicode text, so that you may edit texts in any given language. Older SPSS-versions, however, are not able to read Unicode. Therefore, when exporting the date please select “No” when you are asked if you would like to export as “Unicode?”.

12 Does MAXQDA run on Windows Vista?

MAXQDA 2007 runs on Vista without a problem. Even though the versions MAXQDA 2 and MAXQDA 1 have not been configured for Vista they can be installed and executed if you select “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and then choose “Windows XP” from the properties. You will find more detailed information in the Help Menu of Windows Vista.