Classification Sheets
Classification sheets
When exporting from a reference program to NVivo, you have the option to create a classification sheet at the same time. Such a classification sheet often contains information such as the author, year, title, and publisher, i.e., metadata. However, you may find that you need other metadata than those in the classification sheet, and therefore it may be necessary to add columns to the classification sheet.
If you need a refresh how to import from your reference manager, check out our guide on importing documents into NVivo for PC and MAC.
Where to find the Classification Sheet imported with your files from your reference manager
The classification will be imported automatically into the blue navigation menu on the left of the NVivo interface, under "File Classifications". The classification sheet will be called "Reference".
Click here to read about how to work with the Reference Classification sheet on NVivo for PC
Click here to read about how to work with the Reference Classification sheet on NVivo for MAC
You can also choose to develop your own classification sheet from scratch. You can do this using Excel, and here Links to an external site. is a video showing how to do it.
Ideas on what to use the reference sheet and attributes for
With the reference sheet you can:
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View all sources (and their attribute values) in a particular classification.
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Run a query over all sources with particular "characteristics", so with particular attributes and values. For example, run a Text Search query across all the Journal Articles published after 1995.
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Use charts to show the distribution of your sources by attribute value. For example, if you are doing a literature review, you could create a chart to show the distribution of Journal Articles by Year.
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Include bibliographical data when you print or export sources.