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Skip the blank template: turn your notes into a concept map

Instead of filling in boxes by hand, upload lecture notes, a PDF, or a photo of a page and get an editable mind map built from your own material.

Create mind maps nowFree · No credit card required

Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free · First set needs no signup · Creates mind maps in seconds

Why build your own instead of using a ready-made template

A ready-made concept map template for Word gives you boxes to fill in, but the hard part is deciding what belongs in them. DeckOwl skips the blank file: upload your lecture notes or a textbook PDF and it builds a mind map from that exact material, which you can edit and explore.

Start from your own notes, so the branches reflect what your instructor emphasized
Edit nodes and reorganize branches as your understanding changes
Review the same material as flashcards or quizzes from one upload
Export to DOCX or PDF on Plus when you need a Word-ready file

Example Civil War concept map branches

Causes of the warSlavery · States' rights debate · Election of Lincoln in 1860 · Secession of Southern states

Major battlesGettysburg · Antietam · Vicksburg · Shiloh

Emancipation ProclamationTook effect January 1, 1863 · Applied to states in rebellion · Exempted border states and Union-held areas · Paved the way for the 13th Amendment

ReconstructionFederal troops withdrawn by 1877 · Reconstruction Amendments · Freedmen's Bureau · Efforts to protect Black voting rights

Key figuresAbraham Lincoln · Ulysses S. Grant · Robert E. Lee · Frederick Douglass

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload PDFs, DOCX or PPTX files, plain notes, or photos of pages. The map reflects what your course actually covers.

Editable and explorable

Rename branches, add nodes, and expand or collapse sections so the map grows with your understanding.

Study straight from the map

Turn the same material into flashcards with spaced repetition or a quiz with explanations.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or a photo of your page. Text recognition reads images too.

Generate the mind map

DeckOwl organizes the main ideas into branches and sub-branches you can review right away.

Edit and export

Adjust the layout to match your class. Plus adds PDF and DOCX export when you need a Word file.

The result matches your course rather than a generic layout. If you need a Word file for a class assignment, Plus includes DOCX export, and the free plan lets you study and explore maps in the browser.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I make a concept map for a history unit?

Start with the unit's central question, such as what caused the Civil War, and place it in the middle. Then add major causes, people, and events as branches, and link related ideas with short labels.

What should a Civil War concept map include?

Focus on causes, key battles, the Emancipation Proclamation, Reconstruction, and the people who shaped each. Keep each node to a few words so the map stays readable when you review it.

Can I export my mind map to Word?

DOCX export is a Plus feature, which costs $39 a year or $7.99 a month. The free plan lets you study and explore maps in the browser without exports.

Do I need a credit card to start?

No. You can start on the free plan with 3 generations per month and no credit card required.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.