❓ FAQs

FAQs

Setting Up

Can I upload data with special characters like emojis, or characters from non-English languages? What about coding this data?
Yes, the app should upload any kind of character set just fine, and you should be able to code (create factor labels) in any language you want.
Is there a security audit for Causal Map?
How do I delete my account?
If you have created any files which you want to delete, you can delete them using the red delete button near the top left of the app. If you have a recurring subscription, you can cancel it from the Account tab in the app.
How do I import and export maps from Causal Map?
You can download your map from Causal Map as an Excel file, tweak it and then upload it Causal Map.
I have done something wrong, how do I know which version of my file to restore?
The Versions dropdown (
🔄 Restoring a version of a file) shows you the filesize, so you can see where the file got larger or smaller.
I made changes to file access (
📁 Sharing and locking a file ) to allow my colleague to see my file, but she still can’t see it.
  • Tell her to refresh her browser and your changes should appear
  • Make sure she is logged in with the correct email address.

Uploading and tweaking data

When I upload new or updated data into the app, does it matter what the Excel / spreadsheet file is called?
No. The only thing that matters is what file you are uploading into at Causal Map: the currently active file.

Logging in

Can’t log in, getting an error about “failed to execute ‘setitem’ on ‘storage’”
Immediately after you get the error, open the Chrome console by pressing ctrl shift J in Chrome, then at the blinking cursor, paste this:
localStorage.clear();
and refresh.
If that doesn’t work, please contact support at support@causalmap.app
 

Coding

When I highlight a single word or very short phrase within a single statement, why is the first instance of that word highlighted?
If you highlight a very short piece of text which happens to appear (exactly the same) more than once in the statement, it is always the first occurrence of this piece of text which is actually highlighted.
I have over 500 factors and when I try to type a new factor label, the app gets slow.
Causal Map is not really designed for maps with more than about 500 different factors. The app will work, but yes it will get gradually slower.
When should I use a factor hashtag, and when should I use a link hashtag?
Use factor hashtags, to add extra information about the causal factors, especially information which cuts across any existing factor hierarchy you are using, for example themes like environment. Use link hashtags specifically if it relates to the claim rather than the factors e.g. respondent is suspicious / uncertain / answering a different question / respondent doesn’t like this connection, etc.
Can I autofill influence factor label if its the same as the last consequence factor?
Yes, that is called chaining links! You can chain links by clicking the chain icon, after you have saved your previous link. If you would like more guidance check out this video
I’m all zoomed out, how do I get a normal zoom level in my browser?
If you have Windows press ctrl and 0. If you have a Mac press option, command and 0.
Can I create more than one link at a time?
Yes. You can create multiple links at a time just by putting more than one factor in either or both boxes.
How do I link two existing chains?
To link a chain a –> b –> c to a chain d –> e, highlight the part of the statement which provides the evidence and then code a link from c to d using the dropdowns as usual.
If a respondent makes the same causal claim twice, should I code it twice?
If they are just repeating the same point, don’t bother. But if they are bringing different evidence for the same link, code it twice.
Should I put spaces after ; in hierarchical coding? What about after ~ when coding opposites?
The convention is this: blah; blah
blah; ~blah
etc, i.e. we put a space after the ; but no space after the ~
Can I trace paths (
✨ Filters: Tracing paths) from one factor to “everything”?
Yes! Just leave the target box empty.
 

Known Bugs

Sometimes when I try to select an item from a dropdown list in the Transforms panel, the panel seems to move with me.
Unfortunately there is no easy fix for this bug but you can stop the panel moving simply by clicking a little to the left or right of the dropdown.
My link label is appearing slightly away from the link
Unfortunately when a map has a lot of links link labels may appear slightly removed from the link. Currently there is no way to change this with formatting, only by simplfiying your map.
 

QuIP questions

How do I upload my QuIP project into Causal Map?
Follow the instructions for hybrid files. You must create an excel file with one worksheet and four columns. The column headers must be in this order; text, source_id, question_id and question_text. Then upload this to an empty file.

Downloads

Where can I find example files to use as templates?
They can be found and downloaded here.

What to do when you’ve finished coding.

Is there a more cost-effective option to use during the analysis phase of the causal mapping?
If you don’t want to do any coding or editing, your data stays with us for at least a year (probably longer) so that you can view and analyse it even with a free subscription. “Editing” means changing or adding factors or links. The analysis is free, even if you create and share new views.
If I wanted to put my membership on pause, can I come back and access the coded data and existing maps at any point?
Yes! You can view, analyse and download your data with a free subscription. If you want to do any coding or editing at all, you’ll need a paid subscription, which depends on the number of files you want to be able to code. You’d only need to pay one of these subscriptions for the months when you want to edit something.
What is the best way to store my coded data?
We store your data for at least a year and you can access them with a free subscription. If you want to store your coded data and maps for longer than a year, you can download them in Excel format from the app.