Click the "Select File" button above, and choose your CXL file.
You’ll see a preview, if available.
Click the "Convert file to..." button to extract text information.
Convert CXL to another file type
To convert CXL Concept maps to another format, you need IHMC CmapTools or other Data software.
Convert a file to CXL
To convert other file formats to the "XML Data Exchange File" file type, you need software like IHMC CmapTools or a similar tool.
About CXL files
A .CXL file most commonly stores a concept map created in IHMC CmapTools. It contains XML-formatted data representing nodes, linking phrases, and layout coordinates for visual diagrams. It can also function as a chemical data file for ChemAxon or a structural model exchange file for Tekla Structural Designer. The main disadvantage of the .CXL format is its strict software dependency. Without CmapTools, ChemAxon, or Tekla installed, these files cannot be rendered visually. Opening them in a web browser or basic text editor only displays raw XML code, which is useless for non-technical users trying to view a diagram or 3D model structure. Furthermore, proprietary constraints mean they are difficult to share across different organizations. To make concept maps readable for everyone, convert .CXL to PDF for document archiving or SVG and JPG for web embedding. For Tekla exchange files, target CAD formats like IFC or DXF to ensure interoperability.
Convert.Guru analyzes your CXL file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
If you want to convert CXL file to JS, TS, PY, JAVA, CPP, C, CS, PHP, RB, GO, RS or SWIFT, you can use IHMC CmapTools or similar software from the "Concept Map Data Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert SH, PY, KT, PS1, SWIFT, LUA, PL, JAVA, SCALA, JS, VBS or TS files to CXL, try IHMC CmapTools or another comparable tool in the "Concept Map Data Storage" category.
The CXL Converter Story
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our CXL converter.