How to save and back up your project

Key takeaways

  • Regular project backups help protect your work against hardware failure, accidental deletion, corruption, or device loss.
  • ATLAS.ti projects can be exported as backup project files.
  • Exported project files from ATLAS.ti Web and the latest versions of ATLAS.ti Desktop use the .atlasti  format.
  • Older ATLAS.ti Desktop versions may use version-specific formats such as .atlprojX  
  • Backup project files can also be used to transfer projects between computers or share projects with collaborators.
  • It is recommended to save backup copies regularly and store them in a secure location.

Who this article is for

This article is for ATLAS.ti Web and ATLAS.ti Desktop users who want to save backup copies of their projects to protect their work, transfer projects between devices, or share projects with collaborators.

Why backing up your project is important

Backing up your project helps protect your research data and analysis work.

Regular backups can help prevent data loss caused by:

  • hardware failure
  • accidental deletion
  • damaged files
  • operating system problems
  • device replacement
  • synchronization errors
  • software issues

Backup files are also useful for:

  • moving projects to another computer
  • sharing projects with team members
  • archiving completed research projects
  • preserving earlier versions of a project

We highly recommend backing up projects regularly and frequently.

How to save and back up a project in ATLAS.ti Web

ATLAS.ti Web allows you to export and download project backup files.

  1. Sign in to ATLAS.ti Web: web.atlasti.com
  2. Open the project you want to back up.
  3. Click on the Project Settings tab in the left menu
  4. Click on the “Export for ATLAS.ti Desktop” button. This will create an .atlasti file


If you are using an older version of the software, press Ctrl + K (Windows) or Cmd + K (Mac) to open the command palette. From the list of available commands, select Export (legacy). This will generate an .atlproj file.

How to save and back up a project in ATLAS.ti Desktop

ATLAS.ti Desktop includes ATLAS.ti Windows and ATLAS.ti Mac. Both versions allow you to export projects as backup project files.

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows:
    • Open the project
    • Click File.
    • Select Export
    • Select Project Bundle

  • In ATLAS.ti Mac:
    • Open the project
    • Click Project at top menu
    • Select Export
    • Select Project

    • This will create .atlasti file
    • Save the backup file in a secure location such as:
      • cloud storage
      • an external drive
      • a secure institutional server
      • a backup folder

It is recommended to create backups regularly and keep multiple copies.

Transfer a project to another computer

Backup project files can also be used to transfer projects between devices or collaborators.

  1. Export the project from Desktop
  2. Save the backup file
  3. Transfer the exported file using:
    1. cloud storage
    2. USB drive
    3. institutional storage
    4. file sharing platforms
  4. Open ATLAS.ti on the second computer.
  5. Select the import project option.
  6. Choose the exported project file.
  7. Complete the import process.

Projects can generally be imported into the same or newer ATLAS.ti versions.

To reduce the risk of data loss, it is recommended to:

  • back up projects regularly
  • create backups before major edits or coding sessions
  • store backup copies in multiple locations
  • keep older backup versions when working on important projects
  • export projects before updating or reinstalling ATLAS.ti
  • verify that exported project files can be opened correctly

Researchers working in teams may also want to:

  • create scheduled backup routines
  • name backup files consistently
  • document version changes

Examples:

  • ProjectName_Backup_January2026
  • ThesisProject_v03
  • InterviewStudy_FinalBackup

Common issues and mistakes

  • Forgetting to create regular backups
    • Projects should be backed up frequently, especially before major revisions or software updates.
  • Saving backups only on one device
    • Keeping backups in only one location increases the risk of permanent data loss.
  • Confusing project backup formats between versions
    • The latest versions of ATLAS.ti export projects in the .atlasti format. Older versions may use formats such as .atlprojX
    • If needed, ATLAS.ti Web also includes an Export (legacy) option that creates an .atlproj file.
  • Replacing older backups too quickly
    • Keeping multiple versions of a project backup can help recover earlier stages of analysis if needed.
  • Trying to import projects into older ATLAS.ti versions
    • Projects can generally be imported into the same or newer ATLAS.ti versions.

When to contact support

Contact ATLAS.ti Support if:

  • project export fails
  • backup files cannot be opened
  • imported backup files appear incomplete
  • the export option is missing
  • the project becomes corrupted
  • projects cannot be imported into another installation
  • downloaded backup files do not work as expected

When contacting support, include:

  • your platform: Web, Windows, or Mac
  • your ATLAS.ti version if using Desktop
  • screenshots or error messages
  • a description of what happened
  • whether the issue affects one project or multiple projects

If you need further assistance:

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