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NVivo Qualitative Data Analysis Software: GSU Access to NVivo

An introduction to NVivo qualitative textual & audiovisual analysis software.

Mac Version of NVivo - Pros/Cons

Apple logo and Windows logo with word abbreviation vs for versus in between them

Mac Version of NVivo - Challenges

  • The Mac version of NVivo is not as fully functional as the Windows version.
  • Moving between Mac and Windows with NVivo often causes technical challengess – if at all possible, DON’T try to work across platforms.
  • We do not offer workshops/recordings on the Mac version due to having no Mac access to do so. Differences in interface, functionality, and features between the Mac and Windows version of NVivo may make it difficult to follow along with the Windows workshop if you are using a Mac. If you are a current GSU faculty, staff, or students and need training for the Mac version of NVivo, please contact Dr. Mandy.

Mac Installation

ATTN Mac Users: You may need to change your System Preferences to install NVivo for Mac - Steps for doing so:

  1. Click https://38.media.tumblr.com/avatar_b28350a20d46_128.png (Apple logo) on the top left hand corner of your screen and go to System Preferences
  2. Go to Security & Privacy, click the ‘lock icon’ at the bottom left hand corner of the window, enter your Mac password and click Unlock
  3. Under the General tab, select Anywhere for ‘Allow apps downloaded from:’ and click the ‘lock icon’ again
  4. Once NVivo has been installed successfully, follow the above steps and change the security setting back to it's previous value. ('Mac App Store and identified developers' or 'Mac App Store')

What computers on campus have NVivo?

Campus Labs:

The University Library Atlanta Campus has NVivo installed on ALL its Windows/DELL computers throughout the entire Library. 

Contact other GSU Labs to see if NVivo is installed on lab computers.

Departmental Labs:

NVivo may already be available in some departmental or school computer labs -- ask within your departments. If it's not currently available, talk with your department about getting it installed on departmental lab computers. 

Installing NVivo for the first time?

CLICK HERE to see directions for downloading, installing, and activating NVivo.
Ready to switch to newest NVivo Release 1 2020 version?

Campus IT has the newest NVivo Release 1 2020 version ready for download on the GSU University-Licensed Software download site.
NVivo 2020 Release 1 License expired or expiring?

CLICK HERE to see directions for acquiring the new year's annual license key.

NVivo 12 Plus License expired?

GSU IT may discontinue the older NVivo 12 Plus license any day -- the sooner you switch to the newest Release 1 2020 version, the better.
Need to collaborate with multiple team members in NVivo?

See my NVivo for Team Coding - Tips & Resources handout -- and particularly the "Collaborating in NVivo - FREE and PAID Options Comparison" grid.

Installing NVivo on Your Own Computer

Installing NVivo on Your Own Computer

All current GSU faculty, staff, and students can download GSU-licensed NVivo to their personal computers.

STEP 1: Download and Install NVivo on your computer

  • **Go to GSU's University-Licensed Software download page** and look for NVivo listed in first section titled "Software for Students, Faculty and Staff"
  • Click Login to Download button to go to the OnTheHub/Kivuto page for downloading.
  • IMPORTANT: Use the linked installation instructions with screenshots for Windows or Mac versions to make sure you do the proper steps for installation -- but do NOT download the old NVivo 12 version -- download the NVivo (2020 Release) version.

STEP 2: Once NVivo is installed and open it, you'll be prompted to enter a license key:

  • Go back to the GSU OnTheHub/Kivuto page (where you downloaded the software)
  • In the top right corner click your account name > click Your Account/Orders
  • Find NVivo in list of your Orders & Downloads > click View Details button > copy entire 25-character-long license key
  • Return to NVivo > paste the NVivo license key where prompted.

STEP 3: Once you have NVivo installed and are able to open it:

  • You do NOT have to login to use NVivo -- just create a new project and start NVivo-ing!

If you have problems with technological issues of installing and/or opening NVivo from on campus or off campus, please contact me (Mandy, aswygarthobaugh@gsu.edu) first. If I'm not able to resolve your issue, I will then refer you to the II&T Help Center at help@gsu.edu or 404-413-HELP (404-413-4357)

STEP 4 (OPTIONAL): Enable NCapture browser plugins

Want to optimize your analysis of web pages, blogs, twitter, facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.? After installing NVivo, be sure to enable the NCapture add-on for Edge and/or Chrome (no Firefox or Safari add-on available). NVivo for Mac has limited NCapture capabilities -- see here for comparison to of Mac-to-Windows NCapture compatibility).

NVivo license expiring or expired?

NVivo License Expiring or Expired?

Every year in June the previous year’s NVivo license key expires, and the new license key needs to be entered and activated.

NOTE: If you are using a GSU-owned computer requiring an administrative username/password for software updates, please contact your department's IT person to renew your NVivo license.

ACCESSING the New NVivo License Key:
(for renewing NVivo license on your personal non-GSU computer)
  1. Go back to the GSU OnTheHub/Kivuto page (where you downloaded the software)
  2. In the top right corner click your email/account name > click Your Account/Orders
  3. Find NVivo in list of your Orders & Downloads > click View Details button
  4. Copy entire 25-character-long license key

NOTE: If you try accessing the NVivo license key from GSU's OnTheHub/Kivuto software site and it is down or you have other issues, email Mandy at aswygarthobaugh@gsu.edu

ACTIVATING the New NVivo License Key:

For Windows/PC - old license not yet expired

  1. Connect to internet (must be connected to update license)
  2. Open NVivo
  3. Click File > click Product Info > click Manage License > click Deactivate License
  4. Reopen NVivo
  5. In Activate NVivo window, click on or provide enterprise key to activate link toward bottom of window
  6. In License Key window, paste the new license key in the first field (it will apply the separate sections across the remaining fields) > checkbox your agreement to license terms > click Next button
  7. In License Activation window, fill in required information > click Activate button

For Windows/PC - old license already expired

  1. Connect to internet (must be connected to update license)
  2. Open NVivo
  3. Click File > click Product Info > click Manage License > click Replace License
  4. Paste the new license key in the first field (it will apply the separate sections across the remaining fields)
  5. Enter information in License Activation form if prompted > click Activate button

For Mac - old license not yet expired

  1. Connect to internet (must be connected to update license)
  2. Open NVivo
  3. Click NVivo dropdown in top left corner of desktop screen > click Licensing > click Deactivate
  4. Reopen NVivo
  5. In Activate NVivo window, click on or provide enterprise key to activate link toward bottom of window
  6. In License Key window, paste the new license key in the first field (it will apply the separate sections across the remaining fields) > checkbox your agreement to license terms > click Next button
  7. In License Activation window, fill in required information > click Activate button

For Mac - old license already expired

  1. Connect to internet (must be connected to update license)
  2. Open NVivo
  3. Click NVivo dropdown in top left corner of desktop screen > click Licensing > click Replace License
  4. Paste the new license key in the first field (it will apply the separate sections across the remaining fields)
  5. Enter information in License Activation form if prompted > click Activate button