Importing Your Data
The 
Data dashboard is your central hub for managing files in each MAXQDA Tailwind project. On this page, you’ll learn how to import, manage, and review your documents in MAXQDA Tailwind so you can start analyzing your data efficiently.
Supported file types
MAXQDA Tailwind supports the following file types:
- File types: .docx, .rtf, .txt, .pdf
- Max uploads: 50 documents
- Max length per file: 250,000 characters
- Max file size: 20 MB each
Images and Tables
- Images in documents are not imported.
- Tables are usually read accurately during import. However, very long tables can cause processing issues or incomplete reads. To improve accuracy, split large tables into smaller sections or convert them to plain text before importing. In Word, you can convert a table to text by clicking inside the table, going to the Layout menu, and selecting Convert to Text.
🗄️ Importing and managing files in MAXQDA Tailwind
When you first open a project, you’re directed to the Data dashboard, as seen below:
However, if you navigate away from this section and need to return, click on the Data dashboard icon in the sidebar navigation.
For an overview of the MAXQDA Tailwind interface, please visit our “Getting Started” page, where we cover the basics of navigating the web app.
📥 Importing files
- Click + Import.
- Select your files and click Open, or drag and drop them onto the “Upload Files” dialog window.
- Tailwind will display a progress dialog during import and list the imported files.
- Review the list, then click Close.
- The imported files will appear on your
Data dashboard, as shown below:
Viewing Document Summaries
When you upload a file, Tailwind generates an 
AI summary for it. To view the summary:
- In the Data dashboard, click the Summary button next to the file you want to review.
- The “Document View” panel slides open on the right, displaying:
- AI Summary (top): Provides an overview of the document. Click any reference to see where that information comes from.
- Original Document (below): Automatically scrolls and highlights the matching text in green when you click a reference in the summary.
- You can use the Copy to Clipboard icon to copy the entire summary.
- You can use the
- To close the panel, click the Close icon in the upper-right corner.
Close icon in the upper-right corner.
🗑️ Deleting Files
- Hover over the file to reveal the ⋯ More Options icon and click it.
- Then, select Delete.
Delete.🔍 Searching Files
You can use the search bar at the top of the Data dashboard to quickly find the file you’re looking for.
Important:
- Please be aware that deleting a file cannot be undone, and files cannot be restored once deleted.
- You can only delete a file if it is not used in any summary table. MAXQDA Tailwind will notify you if the file is in use.
- In this case, you need to delete the summary table first. Then, you can return to the Data dashboard to delete the file.
- In this case, you need to delete the summary table first. Then, you can return to the
What to expect from Tailwind’s AI output: Variation and safety
- Nuances in summarization: Re-importing the same document into a Tailwind project may result in subtle changes in its analysis and summary. While the core content of the document summaries will remain largely the same, the specific wording may vary.
- For those interested in generative AI: MAXQDA Tailwind utilizes large language models (LLMs) set to a low temperature of 0.1 (at least in the Beta phase). This setting aims to achieve a balance between consistent, high-quality output and subtle variations that can enhance diversity, reflecting the complexities of qualitative data analysis.
- Responsible AI: Tailwind is committed to the responsible use of AI. Therefore, if the analyzed data includes content flagged as harmful, the generative AI model may be unable to generate document summaries.
