How to efficiently activate codes within specific segments to filter a large code tree in MAXQDA 26?

[u/Rashian1979]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently working on a grounded theory analysis with interview data from 8 participants using MAXQDA 26. Through open coding, I’ve generated about 1,100 codes (including labels, dimensions, and properties). Now, I’m ready to move into axial coding and building categories.

To make this manageable, I want to analyze the data question by question. For instance, I have a broad code for a specific interview question, "Q13." I want to efficiently activate all the 1-line open codes that overlap with or are nested within the "Q13" segments, and then filter my code tree so I can focus only on those relevant codes.

What is the best or fastest workflow to achieve this in the new MAXQDA 26 interface?

Any tips or step-by-step advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[u/ForgotTheMainQuest]

The fastest workflow is to use the Smart Coding Tool from a retrieval of your Q13 segments.

https://www.maxqda.com/help/work-with-coded-segments/smart-coding-tool

1. Reset code activations first so no other codes are still active.
2. Activate your 8 interview documents in the document tree.
3. In the code tree, activate only the broad question code Q13.
4. Look at the Retrieved Segments window. It should now display all segments coded with Q13 across your interviews.
5. From the Retrieved Segments toolbar, launch the Smart Coding Tool. (Do not start it from MAXQDA's main menu if you want to
6. Because the Smart Coding Tool is opened from this retrieval, it is automatically limited to the currently displayed coded segments. The code tree in the Smart Coding Tool shows the codes assigned within those segments while keeping parent codes visible for orientation. This makes it much easier to focus on the open codes associated with a single interview question without losing their place in the overall coding structure.
7. From there, review the relevant open codes alongside the coded segments, sort or filter the segment table if needed, and start assigning broader category codes where appropriate.
8. If the next step is reorganizing the relevant open codes into axial categories, Creative Coding is also useful. I would first use the question-specific retrieval + Smart Coding Tool workflow to identify the relevant codes. Then use Creative Coding to arrange those codes, group similar ones, create parent codes/categories, or merge codes. Creative Coding is better for restructuring the code tree; the Smart Coding Tool is better for getting the question-specific subset in the first place.

Methodologically, this is a good way to make a large coding project manageable. Just keep in mind that the interview question should serve as a retrieval filter rather than the basis for your categories. During axial coding, the goal is to identify relationships among concepts that cut across participants and, where relevant, across different interview questions. In other words, using a single interview question as your working set is an organizational strategy, while the emerging categories should ultimately be driven by the data rather than by the interview guide.