How to work with projects from older versions of ATLAS.ti

Key takeaways

  • ATLAS.ti projects can always be upgraded to newer versions.
  • Projects cannot be opened in older versions once they have been converted.
  • Importing a project automatically converts it to the version you are currently using.
  • ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac are fully compatible with each other.
  • ATLAS.ti Web can import projects from ATLAS.ti 9 and later, subject to Web feature availability and a 500 MB upload limit

Can I open projects from older versions?

Yes. ATLAS.ti supports forward compatibility, meaning newer versions can open projects created in older versions. For example, you can open a project created in ATLAS.ti 9, 22, or 23 in ATLAS.ti 26.

When you import a project, ATLAS.ti automatically converts it to the format used by your current version. Older projects may use formats such as .atlproj or .atlproj23, while current versions use the .atlasti format.

To import a project in ATLAS.ti Windows, click "Import Project" from the list of projects:

The same option is available in ATLAS.ti Mac:

Can I open projects in older versions?

No. ATLAS.ti is not backward compatible. Once a project has been converted to a newer version, it cannot be opened in an older version of the software.

For example, a project converted in ATLAS.ti 26 cannot later be opened in ATLAS.ti 23. When collaborating with others, it is therefore best for all team members to use the same ATLAS.ti version.

Moving projects between Windows, Mac, and Web

Version compatibility is different from platform compatibility.

ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac are fully compatible with each other. Projects can be exported from one platform and imported into the other without any loss of functionality.

ATLAS.ti Web can import projects created in ATLAS.ti 9 and later. Projects exported from Windows or Mac can be imported into Web, although only features currently supported in ATLAS.ti Web will be available after import. Projects created in Web can likewise be imported into ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac.

The current upload limit for ATLAS.ti Web is 500 MB.

Click here to compare feature availability across platforms

Common issues

  • The project will not open
    • The project may have been created or converted in a newer version than the one you are using.
  • The project format changed after import
    • This is expected. Importing automatically converts projects to the format used by your current version of ATLAS.ti.
  • Some features are missing after importing into Web
    • ATLAS.ti Web does not yet support every Desktop feature, so unsupported elements may not be available after import.

When to contact support

Contact support if:

  • a project fails to convert during import
  • a project cannot be opened after conversion
  • imported projects appear incomplete
  • you encounter errors when moving projects between Desktop and Web
  • you are unsure which project version you have
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