Create visual concept maps in your browser, connect ideas with typed relationships, and export directly to Neo4j. Free to use. No installation required.
Open the MapperThe CoExplorer Concept Mapper is a visual tool for building knowledge maps — networks of concepts connected by named, directed relationships. You create nodes, draw labelled edges between them, and export the result as a structured graph that can be stored in a Neo4j database, shared with collaborators, or used as the foundation for systems analysis.
The tool runs entirely in your web browser. Nothing is stored on our servers until you choose to upload. Your maps, your control.
Open the Concept Mapper — it loads instantly in any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). No account needed to start.
In the left panel, enter a title for your map and your name. These are embedded in all exports and help identify maps when shared or stored.
Select the type of node you want to create. Six types are available, each colour-coded:
Double-click anywhere on the canvas to create a new node. Click it to select, then edit its label, type, and description in the left panel. Drag nodes to position them where they make spatial sense — causes on the left, outcomes on the right, or in clusters by theme.
Select a node, click “Connect →”, then click the target node. A directed edge appears. Select the edge to change its relationship type:
| Relationship | Style | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| causes | Solid | A produces or leads to B |
| inhibits | Dashed | A reduces or prevents B |
| entails | Solid | Understanding A requires understanding B |
| supports | Solid | A strengthens the case for B |
| contradicts | Dashed | A provides evidence against B |
| analogous to | Dotted | A and B share structural similarity |
| part of | Solid | A is a component of B |
| influences | Solid | General influence (direction unclear) |
You can also set an optional weight (0.0–1.0) on any edge for semi-quantitative work.
Drag nodes to reposition. Click any element to edit properties. Press Delete to remove. Drag the canvas to pan. Press Escape to cancel or deselect.
Register with your email address — a magic link arrives by email, no password needed. Once registered, your maps are stored in the CoExplorer knowledge graph on UK-hosted infrastructure. They can be browsed, forked, and extended by others if you choose to publish them.
In future, every uploaded map will link to a conversation space on confabula.uk. Share the link with colleagues and discuss the map together — annotate nodes, propose connections, challenge assumptions, and refine understanding collaboratively.
Maps are living documents. Refine, re-upload, and the database maintains version history. Over time, individual maps build into a collective knowledge graph that can be queried and analysed across all contributions.
The mapping tool itself. Free to use in any browser. Create maps locally, export when ready.
Shared storage backend. Maps, user accounts, and cross-map relationships stored as a graph. Enables queries across all maps.
Conversational layer. Every map has a linked discussion space. The conversation and the map inform each other iteratively.
Service offering. Facilitated mapping workshops, bespoke ontologies, and hosted knowledge graphs for organisations and networks.
Browser compatibility: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (current versions). No plugins required.
Neo4j compatibility: Cypher export works with Neo4j 4.x and 5.x.
Data ownership: You own your maps. Stored on UK-hosted infrastructure. Delete any time. Not shared publicly unless you publish.
Offline use: Save the mapper page as a local HTML file for fully offline mapping.