How to open projects from older versions in MAXQDA 24

Your existing MAXQDA projects are compatible with subsequent versions: Projects created with older versions of MAXQDA can be opened and converted in newer versions of MAXQDA.

To open a MAXQDA project created with an earlier version of MAXQDA, follow these steps:

1. Start MAXQDA and select "Open Project" in the start window.

2. If the project file is grayed out and not clickable, choose the file type of the older project in the file dialogue (e.g., "MAXQDA 2020 Projects .mx20").

3. After changing the file type, select your project and click "Open";

MAXQDA will create a copy of the project in the new format in the folder where the selected project file is located. Please note that the conversion process may take several minutes; MAXQDA will keep you updated with a progress-display.

For a detailed description, please click here.

No Teamwork exchange from MAXQDA 24 to older versions possible

Due to the improved text processing, it is not possible to send project elements via Teamwork exchange to an older version. If you are working as a team on the same data, it is advisable for all team members to use the same version of the software.

Additional Note for research teams working on both Windows and Mac computers

For research teams with a mix of Mac and Windows computers using Teamwork functions that require identical text character counts (e.g., intercoder reliability, merging projects, Teamwork export/import of codes, etc.), we recommend transforming the shared project files on one computer to MAXQDA 24. After transformation, the MAXQDA 24 project files should be redistributed to all team members. Due to the improved text processing, the character count in texts may vary slightly depending on whether the transformation was done on a Windows or Mac computer.

Once the projects have been transformed on a Mac or Windows computer and redistributed to all team members, no further compatibility adjustments for working on Mac or Windows computers are necessary.