Google Sheets mode

Keep coding in Google Sheets and load the sheet into Themescape straight from its link, an opt in mode for non-sensitive data only.

Used in phases 3, 4 and 5, generating themes and reviewing themes and defining themes

Try this in the demoRead about privacy and data
Connect a Google SheetGoogle Sheets linkhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aB…ConnectBoundaries andOverworkBlurredhoursNo offswitchEmail atnightWeekendwork
Opt in

For non-sensitive data only. Confidential data is loaded as CSV files.

A map that keeps up with your sheet

The usual way into Themescape is to download your tabs as CSV files and load them. Google Sheets mode is the alternative for data that is safe to share. You connect the viewer to your coding sheet with its link, and it reads the Data and Settings tabs straight from Google, with no files to download. The sheet is read once, when you click Connect, so to bring in later edits you connect it again. Working definitions, colours and connections are not read in this mode.

The mode is opt in, for non-sensitive data only. To let the viewer read it, the sheet's General access is set to Anyone with the link, so anyone who has the link could also open it. That suits a teaching dataset, a pilot or public material. Interview transcripts and anything confidential belong in CSV files, which never leave your machine.

At a glance

Suited to
teaching datasets, pilots, public or non-sensitive material
Not for
confidential participant data
How it connects
share the sheet by link, then paste the link and click Connect on Start a project
Updates
read once when you connect; connect again to bring in later edits

Connecting a sheet

Only for data you would be comfortable sharing.

Is this sheet safe to share by link?A teaching datasetA pilot or public materialInterview transcripts: load CSV files insteadConfidential dataCSV files are read in your browserand never leave your machine.
DataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsDataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsquote_idparticipantquotethemeShareGeneral accessRestrictedAnyone with the linkCopy linkCopy
DataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsDataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsquote_idparticipantquotethemeShareGeneral accessRestrictedAnyone with the linkCopy linkCopy
Start a projectGoogle Sheets linkhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aB…ConnectBoundaries andOverworkBlurredhoursNo offswitchEmail atnightWeekendwork
Open the demo

What connecting a sheet changes

The viewer still reads your data in the browser. The difference is that your sheet is shared by link so the browser can reach it.

  • Read locally

    Transcripts and quotes are read locally and never leave the machine.

  • Nothing to submit

    No file submission or permanent storage is required.

  • Quotes untouched

    Verbatim quotes are never altered, with a separate refined column for presentation wording.

  • Sheets is opt in

    The Google Sheets mode is opt in, for non-sensitive data only.

Read about privacy and data
Your file. Your browser. Your screen. Nothing travels to Themescape.

Why it is opt in

A sheet shared with Anyone with the link can be opened by anyone who has that link. The viewer itself still reads the sheet in your browser and the Themescape host never receives it, but sharing the sheet is a step outside Themescape's control. That is the reason the mode is for non-sensitive data only.

Stopping

When you are finished, set the sheet's General access back to Restricted in Google Sheets. Your map can be kept by saving your progress files.

Ethics applications

If your ethics approval covers only local storage, use CSV files. The form templates describe both routes so you can say which one your study uses.

Related features

The features you will use alongside google sheets mode, closest first.

See all features
Spreadsheet templateOne row per coded quote in a familiar spreadsheet, which Themescape turns into a map of your themes, codes and quotes.See the featureProgress filesSave your project to your own computer as files you can load next time, because Themescape keeps no copy of it.See the featureNode networkEvery theme, code and quote drawn as a connected map, so the shape of your analysis is visible at a glance.See the featureWork modeEvery tool in view for the slow part of analysis: rewriting definitions, choosing quotes and marking how themes relate.See the feature

See your own themes come to life

Try the live demo or start a 7 day free trial. Your data is read in your browser and never leaves your computer.

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