Setting Up Projects

MAXQDA Tailwind is a web application designed for project-based work. This means you can organize your tasks into separate projects, with each project containing its own data. This structure enables easy management and analysis of individual datasets. Essentially, a Tailwind project functions like a file folder that holds all the elements related to a specific research or analysis task.

On this page, you’ll learn how to create, open, manage, sort, and delete your MAXQDA Tailwind projects.

🌱 Setting up a New Project

When you first log into MAXQDA Tailwind, you land on the Projects dashboard, which acts as the main hub for all your MAXQDA Tailwind projects. Here, you can create new projects and manage existing ones.

To create a new project:

If you are not already on the Projects dashboard, click Projects in the sidebar menu on the left side of the screen.
Then, click on the + New Project button.
A dialog box will appear with three required fields:
- Project name, where you should enter a clear name for your project (up to 100 characters).
- Project description, where you should give a concise overview of your project, including research questions, data collected, and other relevant context (it’s recommended to keep this to 3-4 sentences).
- Language for AI-generated content, where you choose the language for the AI output, which can differ from the data language you add to your project
Once you’ve filled in all the fields, click Create to finalize and create your new project.

Tip:

Choose a clear and meaningful name and description for your project. These elements provide context and focus, helping the AI generate relevant content.

🗺️ Working on and Navigating a MAXQDA Tailwind Project

To start working on a project, click its name in the Projects dashboard, as illustrated in the image below.

Screenshot of the siderbar navigation menu options with example project "Individual Exercise Insights" open — Navigation menu with open project

Once open:

You will land on the Data dashboard, where you can import files (see the “Importing Your Data” page for details).
Additional menu options will appear in the sidebar menu, giving you access to MAXQDA Tailwind’s tools.
The project’s name will appear in the sidebar for easy reference.

To close a project, click Projects to return to the Projects dashboard, where you can manage your projects.

🛠️ Managing Your MAXQDA Tailwind Projects

Editing a Project’s Name and Description

To edit an existing project’s name and description:

Hover over a project to reveal the More Options icon next to the project description, and tap it.
Then, select Edit.
A dialog window will open, allowing you to update the name and description.
To save your changes, click Update. If you decide not to make any changes, click Cancel.

Deleting a Project

To permanently delete a project:

Hover over a project to reveal the More Options icon next to the project description, and tap it.
Then, select Delete.

Important:

Deleting a project is permanent and cannot be undone. Double-check that you’re deleting the correct project before you continue.

Sorting Projects in the Dashboard

You can sort projects by one column at a time in the Projects dashboard to make it easier to locate your projects:

Hover your mouse over a column header to display the sorting arrow icon.
Click the column header to sort the list:
- Sort text columns alphabetically.
- Sort number columns in ascending or descending order.
Click the arrow icon again to toggle the sorting direction.
- This sorting can make it easier to locate projects when working with many at once.

Checking Project Content Counts

The Projects dashboard lists each project along with:

The number of files you have added.
The topics identified.
How many summary tables have been created.

Searching for Projects

You can use the search bar at the top of the Projects dashboard to quickly find the project you’re looking for.

🖇️ Importing Your MAXQDA Tailwind Project into MAXQDA

Want to continue your Tailwind project in MAXQDA? Here’s how to do it:

Export your project from Tailwind
- Hover over your project and click the More Options icon next to its description.
- Select Export Project for MAXQDA.
- Tailwind will package your project (this may take a few seconds).
Save the export file
- When your system’s save dialog appears, choose where you want to save the exported file (.mxtail format).
Open the project in MAXQDA
- Launch MAXQDA on your computer.
- On the start screen, click Open.
- Navigate to the .mxtail file you just saved and open it.

What Gets Imported into MAXQDA?

When you import your Tailwind project into MAXQDA:

Documents become documents.
Topics become codes (no coded segments are created).
Summary Tables become summary tables in MAXQDA.
Topic and Document Summaries appear as memos attached to your documents or codes.

All summaries are included automatically so that you can continue your analysis seamlessly.