> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ailyze.gitbook.io/ailyze-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ailyze.gitbook.io/ailyze-docs/getting-started/analyze-your-first-transcript.md).

# Analyze Your First Transcript

This page shows you how to run your first document analysis with sensible defaults, using the **"Analyze docx/pdf files"** workflow. For the full set of options, see [Analyze interview transcripts](/ailyze-docs/common-research-workflows/analyze-interview-transcripts.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
**What you need:** an Evidano account (the Free Plan works) and at least one transcript as a **DOCX, PDF, or TXT** file. Only have audio? [Transcribe it first](/ailyze-docs/prepare-research-data/transcribe-audio-and-video.md), then come back — there's a one-click handoff.

**What you will have at the end:** a completed analysis with [themes](/ailyze-docs/reference/glossary.md#theme), quotes, and a summary you can read, chat with, and download as a Word report.
{% endhint %}

## Step 1: Start a document analysis

From your account page, click **"Analyze docx/pdf files"**.

<figure><img src="/files/4GJoHmF044h1jrvXytpn" alt="Account page with the Analyze docx/pdf files button on the Analyze Documents card"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Step 2: Add your transcript

Upload your file (or pick one you uploaded before). The configuration options appear only after at least one file is selected.

<figure><img src="/files/UKxDKWrEugEHdI9om2A6" alt="Uploading a transcript file on the New Document Project page"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Step 3: Add your research context (optional)

The first screen offers to **extract your research background, framework, and questions** from a study proposal or interview guide. If you have one, drop it in the right-hand **"Research framework, questions, background, etc."** panel and click **"Use AI to extract research background, framework, methodology, questions, etc."** Evidano will pre-fill the next steps for you.

If you don't have one, just click **"Skip"** — you can set everything up manually.

<figure><img src="/files/K8RATjpcT8Q4dDm6NhkO" alt="Research context panel with the extract option and the Skip button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Step 4: Choose a report structure

Pick how your report should be organized:

* **"Themes + linked research questions"** — preferred for academic use cases.
* **"Questions only"** — preferred for industry use cases.

For your first run, **"Themes + linked research questions"** is a good default. Click each card's **"View sample"** link to see what the output looks like.

<figure><img src="/files/kckVhh1NfZRFZjRkBMaj" alt="Report structure cards, each with a View sample link"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Then make two quick choices:

* **Methodology:** choose **"Skip"** for now (you can add a formal [methodology](/ailyze-docs/reference/glossary.md#methodology) later).
* **Segment comparison:** choose **"No comparison"** for your first project (you need multiple files or groups to compare [segments](/ailyze-docs/reference/glossary.md#segment)).

Click **"Next Configuration"**.

## Step 5: Get themes

On the **"Get AI themes/ codebook or input your own"** step, choose **"Use AI-generated themes"** (or open the AI theme generator and click **"Get Themes & Sub-Themes"**). You can also type an instruction like "Focus on barriers and motivations."

<figure><img src="/files/rJjKGsoWS977iWHpDmbv" alt="Generating AI themes and sub-themes on the theme selection step"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Free Plan:** you can generate theme ideas freely, but each analysis is limited to **1 theme and 1 question**. Upgrading removes this limit — see [Plans, Limits & Credits](/ailyze-docs/reference/plans-limits-and-credits.md).
{% endhint %}

## Step 6: Create the project

Click **"Create Project and Start Analysis"**. You'll see an **"Analysis Starting"** message: "You will receive an email once completed." Evidano takes you to your project list.

<figure><img src="/files/zccTIHHPBQLAMGtCAqn6" alt="Analysis Starting confirmation message after creating the project"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

What happens next?

* Your project shows a **"Processing"** status on the list and updates live.
* You'll get an **email** when it's done. Deep analysis takes a little while — that's expected.
* You can open the project early to watch **partial results** stream in.

<figure><img src="/files/aqmCSzpdMwePwidC5VBu" alt="Project list showing a project with Processing status"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Step 7: Read your results

Open the project. You'll see:

* An **Insights** section and a [codebook](/ailyze-docs/reference/glossary.md#codebook) table (themes with their [sub-themes/codes](/ailyze-docs/reference/glossary.md#sub-theme)).
* A **summary** of your documents and (if enabled) a **word-frequency** chart.
* A list of **Themes**, each expandable into a summary, key quotes grouped by code, and charts.

<figure><img src="/files/LUXRfOakVWwlgfXzrQN0" alt="Results page showing the Insights section and codebook table"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
New to this screen? Read [How to Read Your Results](/ailyze-docs/analyze-data/how-to-read-your-results.md).
{% endhint %}

## Step 8: Use your results

From the **Action** bar at the top:

* **"Chat to generate custom report/analysis"** — ask questions of your data.
* **"Download as DOCX"** — get a Word report *(Pro)*.
* **"Share as Webpage"** — send stakeholders a link *(Pro)*.

<figure><img src="/files/Ru7fhCdj00QSfqAuxYsh" alt="Action bar with chat, download, and share options"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You did it 🎉 You now have a completed thematic analysis.

## Next steps

* Refine your themes — [Build a Codebook](/ailyze-docs/analyze-data/build-a-codebook.md)
* Compare groups — [Compare Groups (Segments)](/ailyze-docs/analyze-data/compare-groups-segments.md)
* Turn it into a deliverable — [Generate a Research Report](/ailyze-docs/create-deliverables/generate-a-research-report.md)
* Something not working? [Analysis Issues](/ailyze-docs/troubleshooting/analysis-issues.md)


---

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