Export options in ATLAS.ti (Windows, Mac, and Web)

Key takeaways

  • ATLAS.ti Web and ATLAS.ti Desktop include multiple export options for projects, reports, codebooks, quotations, and analysis results.
  • The latest versions of ATLAS.ti export projects in the .atlasti  format, while older versions may use formats such as .atlproj , or .atlprojx.
  • In ATLAS.ti Web, users can export projects as project bundle files, export codebooks, and create Excel reports from entity managers. ATLAS.ti Web currently supports Excel exports only and cannot directly create PDF, Word, or image exports.
  • In ATLAS.ti Desktop, users can additionally export reports, codebooks, SPSS syntax files, statistical data, networks, visualizations, and multimedia-related outputs.
  • Exporting helps researchers create backups, transfer projects between platforms, share findings, and continue analysis in other software.

Who this article is for

This article is for ATLAS.ti Web and ATLAS.ti Desktop users who want to understand the available export options for projects, codebooks, quotations, reports, and analysis outputs.

Why use export options in ATLAS.ti?

Exporting allows researchers to:

  • create project backups
  • transfer projects between devices or platforms
  • share findings with collaborators
  • continue analysis in statistical or visualization software
  • archive qualitative analysis results
  • create reports for publications or presentations

ATLAS.ti supports exporting both:

  • complete projects
  • individual analysis outputs

Examples include:

  • Excel reports
  • codebooks
  • quotations
  • SPSS syntax files
  • networks
  • tables
  • images
  • PDFs

In ATLAS.ti Web, users can export projects as project bundle files, export codebooks, and create Excel reports from entity managers. ATLAS.ti Web currently supports Excel exports only and cannot directly create PDF, Word, or image exports.

How to export projects from ATLAS.ti Web

Exporting a project creates a backup copy and allows the project to be imported into ATLAS.ti Desktop.

Step 1: Open the project settings

  1. Open your ATLAS.ti Web project.
  2. Click Project Settings in the left menu.


Step 2: Export the project

  1. Click Export for ATLAS.ti Desktop.
  2. Save the exported file.

The latest versions of ATLAS.ti export projects in the .atlasti format.

Step 3: Use legacy export if needed

If you are using an older version of the software or encounter export issues:

  1. Press Ctrl + K or Cmd + K to open the command modal.
  2. Select Export (legacy).
  3. Save the exported .atlproj file.


How to export projects to Excel in ATLAS.ti Web

ATLAS.ti Web can export project information as an Excel spreadsheet.

Step 1: Open the project settings

  1. Enter the project you want to export.
  2. Click Project Settings in the left menu.

Step 2: Export the Excel report

  1. Click Export for Excel.
  2. Save the .xlsx file.


How to export codebooks in ATLAS.ti Web

ATLAS.ti Web allows exporting codebooks in QDC or Excel format.

Step 1: Open the Code Manager

  1. Open your project.
  2. Click the Codes icon.
  3. Open the Code Manager.

Step 2: Open the download menu

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner.

Step 3: Choose the export format

Select one of the following:

  • Download Codes as QDC
  • Download Codes as Excel

QDC files can be imported into qualitative analysis software. Excel exports can be used in Excel, visualization tools, or other software.

How to export quotations in ATLAS.ti Web

ATLAS.ti Web can export quotations as Excel files.

Step 1: Open the Quotations Manager

  1. Open your project.
  2. Open the Quotations Manager.

Step 2: Filter quotations if needed

  1. Create filter views if you want to export specific quotations only.

    Filter by:

    • codes
    • documents
    • groups
    • other criteria

Step 3: Export quotations

  1. Click the download button in the upper-right corner.
  2. Save the exported .xlsx  file.

How to export projects in ATLAS.ti Desktop

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows
  1. Click File.
  2. Select Export.
  3. Select Project Bundle

  • In ATLAS.ti Mac:
  1. Go to top menu Project
  2. Choose Export
  3. Choose Project

If your project contains large multimedia files, you can exclude them to reduce the size of the project bundle. Make sure to back up any excluded multimedia files separately, as you may need to relink them when importing the project later. When exporting a project with multimedia files:

  • Deselect the files you do not want to include in the bundle.
  • Click Project Bundle to continue the export.

How to export reports in ATLAS.ti Desktop

ATLAS.ti Desktop allows exporting reports from managers, analysis tools, and coding outputs.

Reports may include:

  • quotations
  • codes
  • comments
  • memos
  • frequencies
  • analysis results

Step 1: Open the entity manager

Step 2: Export the report

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac
  1. Click Export
  2. Choose the export format.

How to export codebooks in ATLAS.ti Desktop

Step 1: Open the Code Manager

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac
  1. Open your project.
  2. Open the Code Manager.

Step 2: Open the export options

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows
  1. Click Export.
  2. Select Export codebook (XLSX).

  1. This option is also available from the Import & Export tab.
    1. Go to Import & Export tab
    2. Select Codebook > Export Codebook (XLSX)

  • In ATLAS.ti Mac
  1. Click Export > Codebook (XLSX)

  1. This option is also available from top menu
    1. Select Code
    2. Select Export
    3. Select Codebook (XLSX)

Step 3: Save the Excel file

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac
  1. Choose the location where you want to save the file.
  2. Click Export or Save.

Step 4: Review the exported codebook

  1. Open the .xlsx  file in Excel.
  2. Review the exported:
    1. code names
    2. comments
    3. code groups
    4. colors

How to export quotations in ATLAS.ti Desktop

Researchers can export quotations and coded data for reporting or further analysis.

Step 1: Open the Quotations Manager

Step 2: Filter quotations if needed

Step 3: Export quotations

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac
  1. Click Export
  2. Select the export format.

How to export SPSS syntax files in ATLAS.ti Desktop

ATLAS.ti Desktop can export data for statistical analysis workflows.

ATLAS.ti Mac 8.2 and higher allows exporting the entire project as an SPSS syntax file. Data can also be exported as Excel spreadsheets for use in:

  • SPSS
  • R
  • STATA
  • SAS

In statistical exports:

  • codes become variables
  • quotations become cases

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows
  1. Go to Import & Export Tab
  2. Select SPSS Export or Statistical Data

  • In ATLAS.ti Mac
  1. Go to Project
  2. Choose Export
  3. Choose SPSS Syntax file or Statistical Data (XLSX)

How to export networks and visualizations in ATLAS.ti Desktop

Networks and visual outputs can be exported for presentations or publications.

Step 1: Open the network or visualization

Step 2: Export the visualization

  • In ATLAS.ti Windows and Mac
  1. Click Export
  2. Choose the image or file format.


Common issues and mistakes

  • Using the wrong export format
    • Different export formats support different workflows. For example:
      • .atlasti files are used for project backups and transferring projects between platforms.
      •  .xlsx files are useful for reports, quotations, statistical workflows, and codebooks.
      • QDC files are useful for exchanging codebooks with other qualitative analysis software.
      • SPSS syntax or statistical data exports are intended for statistical analysis workflows.
  • Expecting unsupported export formats in ATLAS.ti Web
    • ATLAS.ti Web currently supports Excel exports only for reports and quotation exports. PDF, Word, or image exports cannot currently be created directly in Web.
  • Forgetting to save or back up exported files
    • Always confirm the export location and keep backup copies of exported project bundles and reports.
  • Excluding multimedia files without creating a separate backup
    • When exporting project bundles in Desktop, excluded multimedia files are not included in the bundle and should be backed up separately.
  • Expecting older ATLAS.ti versions to open newer project bundles
    • Older ATLAS.ti versions may not support newer project formats such as .atlasti file
  • Exporting overly broad quotation or report results
    • Large exports may become difficult to review or analyze. Consider applying filters before exporting quotations or reports.
  • Forgetting to review exported reports and codebooks
    • Always open and review exported files to confirm:
      • quotations exported correctly
    • codes and comments appear as expected
    • formatting and data structure are correct
    • the correct export format was selected

When to contact support

Contact ATLAS.ti Support if:

  • export options are missing
  • exports fail or stop unexpectedly
  • exported files cannot be opened
  • SPSS exports do not work correctly
  • reports appear incomplete
  • exported quotations are missing
  • exported projects cannot be imported
  • exported files behave differently from the documentation

When contacting support, include:

  • your platform: Web, Windows, or Mac
  • your ATLAS.ti version
  • screenshots or error messages
  • the export format you used
  • a description of the workflow
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