The Themescape spreadsheet template

One row per coded quote in a familiar spreadsheet, which Themescape turns into a map of your themes, codes and quotes.

Used in phases 2 and 3, coding and generating themes

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DataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsDataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsquotethemecodeBoundaries and OverworkBlurred hoursNo off switchEmail at nightWeekend work
Only one tab is required

Data holds the coding. Framework, Connections and Settings add to it when you are ready.

Code in a spreadsheet you already know how to use

The template is a Google Sheet, also available as an Excel workbook, with one row for each coded quote. You write the theme, and usually the code and sub-code, beside each quote. Themescape reads those columns and builds the hierarchy for you, so there is no tree to draw by hand. Repeating a theme name on many rows is what groups the quotes beneath it.

The Data tab is the only one the viewer needs. Three optional tabs add more when you want it: Framework holds a working definition for each theme, code and sub-code, Connections records the links you see between them, and Settings puts your project title and name at the top of the display. Two more tabs, Model elements and Model relationships, describe a published model for Model mode.

At a glance

Tabs
Data, required; Framework, Connections and Settings, optional; Model elements and Model relationships, for Model mode
Required columns
quote_id, participant, quote, theme
Formats
Google Sheet or Excel workbook, loaded as CSV files
Template version
2.6

From template to map

Four steps, the first time through.

DataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsDataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsquote_idparticipantquotethemeThemescape coding templateFileMake a copyDownload as Excel (.xlsx)My coding.xlsxMy computer
DataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsDataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsquote_idparticipantquotethemecode
DataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsDataFrameworkConnectionsSettingsquote_idparticipantquotethemecodenamedefinitionordercolourfromtonotetypearrowtitlenamesubtitle
Start a projectDataRequireddata.csvFrameworkOptionalframework.csvConnectionsOptionalconnections.csvSettingsOptionalsettings.csvLayoutOptionallayout.csvdata.csvframework.csvBoundaries andOverworkBlurredhoursNo offswitchEmail atnightWeekendwork
Open the getting started tutorial

The template stays with you

Your copy of the template lives in your own Google account or on your own computer. When you load it, the viewer reads it in your browser.

  • 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.

Names must match exactly

Themes, codes and sub-codes are matched as plain text, so "Work life balance" and "Work-life balance" become two themes. Keep spelling and capitals the same on every row.

A quote can belong to the theme itself

Leave the code blank and the quote shows when the theme is selected, with no code node drawn for it.

Working ideas have a column

If a quote has no final theme yet, put your working idea in candidate_theme and it is shown there until you decide.

Your own columns are safe

The viewer ignores columns it does not use and skips blank rows, so you can keep working columns of your own beside the template's.

Related features

The features you will use alongside spreadsheet template, closest first.

See all features
Import from coding softwareBring an existing NVivo, MAXQDA or ATLAS.ti project into Themescape and carry on in the template, without retyping your coding.See the featureGoogle Sheets modeKeep coding in Google Sheets and load the sheet into Themescape straight from its link, an opt in mode for non-sensitive data only.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 featureRefined quotesShow tidied wording for presentation while the verbatim quote stays untouched beside it.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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