If team members do not need to edit the same MAXQDA project at the same time, you can collaborate by passing the project file from one person to another. In this workflow, the complete study is transferred as a MAXQDA project file from one computer to the next, so that all team members work with the same project database.
This means that two people cannot simultaneously code different documents, create memos, or change variable values in separate copies of the project. However, team members can work with the project at the same time as long as they do not make changes to codings, memos, or variable values. For example, several team members can evaluate or inspect the project data in parallel.
MAXQDA stores the project database in an MQDA file. For example, if your project is called “Interview Study”, the project file is saved as “Interview Study.mqda”.
What the MQDA project file includes
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You can transfer the project to other team members as a single MQDA file, for example by email or through a shared folder in a cloud storage service such as Dropbox or OneDrive.
When another team member opens the MQDA file on a computer where MAXQDA is installed, the full project opens with all components stored in the project file.
If several team members will work with the same project, first import all documents into one MAXQDA project on one computer. Then send a copy of the completed project file to everyone on the team. This way, each team member starts with the same data set, and you do not need to import the documents separately on each computer.
Sharing projects that include external files
If your project uses external files, you need to transfer them separately from the MQDA project file. This applies, for example, if you assigned audio or video files to documents, or if image or PDF documents were not imported directly into the project.
These files are stored in the MAXQDA folder for external files. You can customize this folder in MAXQDA’s preferences by clicking the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the window.
For detailed instructions, see the section External Files.
