An external is a type of 'source' in NVivo—it represents material that cannot be imported (websites, books, paper-based references and so on).
It is a good idea to store these files together in a specific location. You can set a default location for external files in Application Options.
To create a new external:
In Navigation View, click the Sources button.
The sources folders are displayed.
Click the Externals folder. If you have created other external folders, you can select one of those.
Click the New toolbar button.
Click the External in This Folder option.
The New External dialog box is displayed.
Enter a name in the Name field.
If required, enter a description of the source in the Description field.
Click the External tab and define the required options
Option |
Description |
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Type |
Select the item that is represented by the external. This might be
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File path |
If the external represents an electronic file that can be opened on your computer, click the Browse button and locate the file. |
Location description |
If the external represents an item that cannot be accessed by computer, define the physical location— top shelf, my desk, filing cabinet. |
Contents |
Select or enter the content type that the external represents. If you define a new type, it is applied when you click OK—it is then available for all externals in the project. You cannot edit the content type once you have created the external. |
Unit |
Select or enter the paragraph headings that you want to appear in the external. For example, if the external represents a book, you may want it divided into chapters. The unit changes depending on content type you selected in the Contents list. If you created a new content type then you will need to create a new unit type. |
Start range |
Enter the number at which you want the paragraph headings to start. |
End range |
Enter the number at which you want the paragraph headings to end. |
Click OK.
The external is displayed in Detail View and you can add notes and summaries as required.
Click in List View:
Right-click:
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To open a file that is linked to an external:
Click the external in List View or open it inDetail View.
On the Project menu, click Open External File.
The file is opened in the associated application.