If you have upgraded from an older version of NVivo to the latest version NVivo 15 you might be wondering if you can still continue working with the project files that you created in the past. The short answer is: yes. NVivo is forward compatible, so projects created in older versions of NVivo (e.g. NVivo 12, R1) can always be opened in later versions (e.g. NVivo 14 ord NVivo 15).
However, NVivo is not backwards compatible. This means, ones you open and convert a project file in the latest version of NVivo, you will not be able to open the project file in an older version.
NOTE: NVivo project files (.nvp/.nvpx) are stored outside of the NVivo application. This means, if you upgrade to a new version of NVivo, you just need to open them from there and can continue working.
- Projects created in older major versions can be opened in newer major versions—e.g. you can open version 12 or R1/2020 projects in NVivo 14 — the older-version project file is copied and the copy formatted for the newer version—the original file is not changed.
- Projects created in newer major versions cannot be opened in older major versions—e.g. you cannot open NVivo 14 projects in NVivo version R1/2020
Open an older major-version project
NVivo recognizes the project's version and offers to create a copy and convert it. To initiate the conversion of an older major-version project to a newer major version:
- Open NVivo, on the File tab, click Open > Browse.
- Ensure you have NVivo Projects selected in the bottom-right of the dialog box.
- Select the project you want to open and click Open.
The Upgrade Project dialog box opens. - By default, the updated file is saved in the same location with '(NVivo R14.xx.x)' appended to the file name.
To change the file name, location, or save as an NVivo Collaboration Server project:- Click Browse.
- Make the required changes and click Save.
- Click Next, and then click Upgrade.
IMPORTANT Projects created in newer major versions such as NVivo 14 cannot be opened in NVivo R1/2020, NVivo version 12, or earlier. There are database changes between versions which prevents backward compatibility. NVivo R1/2020 and earlier projects needs to be copied and upgraded in order to open in NVivo 14.
How are NVivo versions identified?
NVivo versions are identified by a major number (the number before the decimal point, e.g. version 11 or 12, or release 1) and a minor number (the number after the decimal point, e.g. the 5 in version 12.5 or release 1.5). See Identify NVivo version number to identify the version number of your installation. For more info see Which NVivo version do I have?
Identify your NVivo version number
- In the ribbon, click File, then Product Info > About NVivo.
A dialog box opens showing:- version number
- license key number
- legal notices
NOTE – Trialling NVivo
Version compatibility is important for users trialing the latest version of NVivo—if you are trialing NVivo 14 you can open a version 12 or release R1/2020 project in it (copied and upgraded) but any changes you make in the copy cannot be saved in a format that you can open in version 12 or R1/2020.
Compatibility in minor versions
Minor versions are compatible—e.g. you can open a project created in NVivo release 1.4 in release 1.5, and vice versa (with the exception that release 1.6 and following projects cannot be opened in release 1.5 or earlier).
Windows and Mac
It is possible to move projects between the NVivo Windows and Mac platforms provided they have the same major version numbers Windows & Mac.