Additional Cypher features

While the GQL Standard incorporates a lot of capabilities in Cypher^®, Cypher contains additional features that are not part of GQL and no GQL alternatives currently exist for them. This page covers those Cypher features.

Clauses

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`LOAD CSV`	Import data from CSV files.
`MERGE`	Ensures that a pattern exists in the graph. Either the pattern already exists, or it needs to be created.

LOAD CSV

Import data from CSV files.

MERGE

Ensures that a pattern exists in the graph. Either the pattern already exists, or it needs to be created.

Subqueries

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`CALL { … } IN TRANSACTIONS`	`CALL` subqueries executed in separate, inner transactions, producing intermediate commits.
`COLLECT`	Used to create a list with the rows returned by a subquery.
`COUNT`	Used to count the number of rows returned by a subquery.
`EXISTS`	Used to discover if a specified pattern exists at least once in the graph

CALL { … } IN TRANSACTIONS

CALL subqueries executed in separate, inner transactions, producing intermediate commits.

COLLECT

Used to create a list with the rows returned by a subquery.

COUNT

Used to count the number of rows returned by a subquery.

EXISTS

Used to discover if a specified pattern exists at least once in the graph

Values and types

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`POINT` values	Spatial values.
`MAP` values.	Map values - the GQL equivalent is Records.

POINT values

Spatial values.

MAP values.

Map values - the GQL equivalent is Records.

Comprehensions and projections

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
List comprehension	Syntactic construct for creating a `LIST` based on existing lists.
Map projection	Constructs `MAP` projections from nodes, relationships, and other `MAP` values.
Pattern comprehension	Syntactic construct for creating a `LIST` based on matchings of a pattern.

List comprehension

Syntactic construct for creating a LIST based on existing lists.

Map projection

Constructs MAP projections from nodes, relationships, and other MAP values.

Pattern comprehension

Syntactic construct for creating a LIST based on matchings of a pattern.

Dynamic queries

Node labels, relationship types, properties, and CSV columns can be referenced dynamically using Cypher. This allows for more flexible queries and mitigates the risk of Cypher injection. (For more information about Cypher injection, see Neo4j Knowledge Base → Protecting against Cypher injection).

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`MATCH (n:$($label)), ()-[r:$($type)]->()`	`MATCH` nodes and relationships using dynamic node labels and relationship types
`CREATE (n:$($label)), ()-[r:$($type)]->()`	`CREATE` nodes and relationships using dynamic node labels and relationship types
`MERGE (n:$($label)), ()-[r:$($type)]->()`	`MERGE` nodes and relationships using dynamic node labels and relationship types
`LOAD CSV WITH HEADERS FROM 'file:///artists-with-headers.csv' AS line CREATE (n:$(line.label) {name: line.Name})`	Import CSV files using dynamic columns
`MATCH (n) SET n[$key] = value`	Dynamically `SET` or update a property
`MATCH (n:Label) SET n:$(n.property)`	Dynamically `SET` a node label
`MATCH (n {name: 'Peter'}) REMOVE n:$($label)`	Dynamically `REMOVE` a property
`MATCH (n {name: 'Peter'}) REMOVE n:$($label)`	Dynamically `REMOVE` a node label

MATCH (n:$($label)),
      ()-[r:$($type)]->()

MATCH nodes and relationships using dynamic node labels and relationship types

CREATE (n:$($label)),
       ()-[r:$($type)]->()

CREATE nodes and relationships using dynamic node labels and relationship types

MERGE (n:$($label)),
       ()-[r:$($type)]->()

MERGE nodes and relationships using dynamic node labels and relationship types

LOAD CSV WITH HEADERS FROM 'file:///artists-with-headers.csv' AS line
CREATE (n:$(line.label) {name: line.Name})

Import CSV files using dynamic columns

MATCH (n)
SET n[$key] = value

Dynamically SET or update a property

MATCH (n:Label)
SET n:$(n.property)

Dynamically SET a node label

MATCH (n {name: 'Peter'})
REMOVE n:$($label)

Dynamically REMOVE a property

MATCH (n {name: 'Peter'})
REMOVE n:$($label)

Dynamically REMOVE a node label

Functions

Database functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`db.nameFromElementId()`	Resolves the database name for the given element id.

db.nameFromElementId()

Resolves the database name for the given element id.

GenAI functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`genai.vector.encode()`	Generates a vector embedding for a single value.

genai.vector.encode()

Generates a vector embedding for a single value.

Graph functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`graph.byElementId()`	Returns the graph reference with the given element id. It is only supported in the `USE` clause. As of Neo4j 5.26, it is supported on both standard and composite databases. On earlier versions, it is only supported on composite databases.
`graph.byName()`	Returns the graph reference of the given name. It is only supported in the `USE` clause, on composite databases.
`graph.names()`	Lists the names of graphs in the current database.
`graph.propertiesByName()`	Returns the `MAP` of properties associated with a graph.

graph.byElementId()

Returns the graph reference with the given element id. It is only supported in the USE clause. As of Neo4j 5.26, it is supported on both standard and composite databases. On earlier versions, it is only supported on composite databases.

graph.byName()

Returns the graph reference of the given name. It is only supported in the USE clause, on composite databases.

graph.names()

Lists the names of graphs in the current database.

graph.propertiesByName()

Returns the MAP of properties associated with a graph.

List functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`keys()`	Returns a `LIST<STRING>` containing the `STRING` representations for all the property names of a `NODE`, `RELATIONSHIP`, or `MAP`.
`labels()`	Returns a `LIST<STRING>` containing the `STRING` representations for all the labels of a `NODE`.
`nodes()`	Returns a `LIST<NODE>` containing all the `NODE` values in a `PATH`.
`range()`	Returns a `LIST<INTEGER>` comprising all `INTEGER` values within a specified range.
`reduce()`	Runs an expression against individual elements of a `LIST<ANY>`, storing the result of the expression in an accumulator.
`relationships()`	Returns a `LIST<RELATIONSHIP>` containing all the `RELATIONSHIP` values in a `PATH`.
`reverse()`	Returns a `STRING` or `LIST<ANY>` in which the order of all characters or elements in the given `STRING` or `LIST<ANY>` have been reversed.
`tail()`	Returns all but the first element in a `LIST<ANY>`.
`toBooleanList()`	Converts a `LIST<ANY>` of values to a `LIST<BOOLEAN>` values. If any values are not convertible to `BOOLEAN` they will be null in the `LIST<BOOLEAN>` returned.
`toFloatList()`	Converts a `LIST<ANY>` to a `LIST<FLOAT>` values. If any values are not convertible to `FLOAT` they will be null in the `LIST<FLOAT>` returned.
`toIntegerList()`	Converts a `LIST<ANY>` to a `LIST<INTEGER>` values. If any values are not convertible to `INTEGER` they will be null in the `LIST<INTEGER>` returned.
`toStringList()`	Converts an `INTEGER`, `FLOAT`, `BOOLEAN`, `POINT` or temporal type (i.e. `DATE`, `ZONED TIME`, `LOCAL TIME`, `ZONED DATETIME`, `LOCAL DATETIME` or `DURATION`) value to a `STRING`, or null if the value cannot be converted.

keys()

Returns a LIST<STRING> containing the STRING representations for all the property names of a NODE, RELATIONSHIP, or MAP.

labels()

Returns a LIST<STRING> containing the STRING representations for all the labels of a NODE.

nodes()

Returns a LIST<NODE> containing all the NODE values in a PATH.

range()

Returns a LIST<INTEGER> comprising all INTEGER values within a specified range.

reduce()

Runs an expression against individual elements of a LIST<ANY>, storing the result of the expression in an accumulator.

relationships()

Returns a LIST<RELATIONSHIP> containing all the RELATIONSHIP values in a PATH.

reverse()

Returns a STRING or LIST<ANY> in which the order of all characters or elements in the given STRING or LIST<ANY> have been reversed.

tail()

Returns all but the first element in a LIST<ANY>.

toBooleanList()

Converts a LIST<ANY> of values to a LIST<BOOLEAN> values. If any values are not convertible to BOOLEAN they will be null in the LIST<BOOLEAN> returned.

toFloatList()

Converts a LIST<ANY> to a LIST<FLOAT> values. If any values are not convertible to FLOAT they will be null in the LIST<FLOAT> returned.

toIntegerList()

Converts a LIST<ANY> to a LIST<INTEGER> values. If any values are not convertible to INTEGER they will be null in the LIST<INTEGER> returned.

toStringList()

Converts an INTEGER, FLOAT, BOOLEAN, POINT or temporal type (i.e. DATE, ZONED TIME, LOCAL TIME, ZONED DATETIME, LOCAL DATETIME or DURATION) value to a STRING, or null if the value cannot be converted.

LOAD CSV functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`file()`	Returns the absolute path of the file that `LOAD CSV` is using.
`lineNumber`	Returns the line number that `LOAD CSV` is currently using.

file()

Returns the absolute path of the file that LOAD CSV is using.

lineNumber

Returns the line number that LOAD CSV is currently using.

Logarithmic functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`e()`	Returns the base of the natural logarithm, e.

e()

Returns the base of the natural logarithm, e.

Numeric functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`isNaN()`	Returns whether the given `INTEGER` or `FLOAT` is NaN.
`rand()`	Returns a random `FLOAT` in the range from 0 (inclusive) to 1 (exclusive).
`round()`	Returns the value of a number rounded to the nearest `INTEGER`.
`sign()`	Returns the signum of an `INTEGER` or `FLOAT`: 0 if the number is 0, -1 for any negative number, and 1 for any positive number.

isNaN()

Returns whether the given INTEGER or FLOAT is NaN.

rand()

Returns a random FLOAT in the range from 0 (inclusive) to 1 (exclusive).

round()

Returns the value of a number rounded to the nearest INTEGER.

sign()

Returns the signum of an INTEGER or FLOAT: 0 if the number is 0, -1 for any negative number, and 1 for any positive number.

Predicate functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`all()`	Returns true if the predicate holds for all elements in the given `LIST<ANY>`.
`any()`	Returns true if the predicate holds for at least one element in the given `LIST<ANY>`.
`isEmpty()`	Checks whether a `STRING`, `MAP`, or `LIST<ANY>` is empty.
`none()`	Returns true if the predicate holds for no element in the given `LIST<ANY>`.
`single()`	Returns true if the predicate holds for exactly one of the elements in the given `LIST<ANY>`.

all()

Returns true if the predicate holds for all elements in the given LIST<ANY>.

any()

Returns true if the predicate holds for at least one element in the given LIST<ANY>.

isEmpty()

Checks whether a STRING, MAP, or LIST<ANY> is empty.

none()

Returns true if the predicate holds for no element in the given LIST<ANY>.

single()

Returns true if the predicate holds for exactly one of the elements in the given LIST<ANY>.

Scalar functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`endNode()`	Returns the end `NODE` of a `RELATIONSHIP`.
`head()`	Returns the first element in a `LIST<ANY>`.
`last()`	Returns the last element in a `LIST<ANY>`.
`properties()`	Returns a `MAP` containing all the properties of a `NODE`, `RELATIONSHIP`, or `MAP`.
`randomUUID()`	Generates a random UUID.
`startNode()`	Returns the start `NODE` of a `RELATIONSHIP`.
`type()`	Returns a `STRING` representation of the `RELATIONSHIP` type.
`valueType()`	Returns a `STRING` representation of the most precise value type that the given expression evaluates to.

endNode()

Returns the end NODE of a RELATIONSHIP.

head()

Returns the first element in a LIST<ANY>.

last()

Returns the last element in a LIST<ANY>.

properties()

Returns a MAP containing all the properties of a NODE, RELATIONSHIP, or MAP.

randomUUID()

Generates a random UUID.

startNode()

Returns the start NODE of a RELATIONSHIP.

type()

Returns a STRING representation of the RELATIONSHIP type.

valueType()

Returns a STRING representation of the most precise value type that the given expression evaluates to.

Spatial functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`point()`	Returns a 2D or 3D point object, given two or respectively three coordinate values in the Cartesian coordinate system or WGS 84 geographic coordinate system.
`point.distance()`	Returns a `FLOAT` representing the distance between any two points in the same CRS. If the points are in the WGS 84 CRS, the function returns the geodesic distance (i.e., the shortest path along the curved surface of the Earth). If the points are in a Cartesian CRS, the function returns the Euclidean distance (i.e., the shortest straight-line distance in a flat, planar space).
`point.withinBBox()`	Returns true if the provided point is within the bounding box defined by the two provided points.

point()

Returns a 2D or 3D point object, given two or respectively three coordinate values in the Cartesian coordinate system or WGS 84 geographic coordinate system.

point.distance()

Returns a FLOAT representing the distance between any two points in the same CRS. If the points are in the WGS 84 CRS, the function returns the geodesic distance (i.e., the shortest path along the curved surface of the Earth). If the points are in a Cartesian CRS, the function returns the Euclidean distance (i.e., the shortest straight-line distance in a flat, planar space).

point.withinBBox()

Returns true if the provided point is within the bounding box defined by the two provided points.

String functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`replace()`	Returns a `STRING` in which all occurrences of a specified search `STRING` in the given `STRING` have been replaced by another (specified) replacement `STRING`.
`reverse()`	Returns a `STRING` or `LIST<ANY>` in which the order of all characters or elements in the given `STRING` or `LIST<ANY>` have been reversed.
`split()`	Returns a `LIST<STRING>` resulting from the splitting of the given `STRING` around matches of the given delimiter(s).
`substring()`	Returns a substring of the given `STRING`, beginning with a 0-based index start.

replace()

Returns a STRING in which all occurrences of a specified search STRING in the given STRING have been replaced by another (specified) replacement STRING.

reverse()

Returns a STRING or LIST<ANY> in which the order of all characters or elements in the given STRING or LIST<ANY> have been reversed.

split()

Returns a LIST<STRING> resulting from the splitting of the given STRING around matches of the given delimiter(s).

substring()

Returns a substring of the given STRING, beginning with a 0-based index start.

Trigonometric functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`atan2()`	Returns the arctangent2 of a set of coordinates in radians.
`haversin()`	Returns half the versine of a number.
`pi()`	Returns the mathematical constant pi.

atan2()

Returns the arctangent2 of a set of coordinates in radians.

haversin()

Returns half the versine of a number.

pi()

Returns the mathematical constant pi.

Temporal duration functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`duration.inDays()`	Computes the `DURATION` between the `from` instant (inclusive) and the `to` instant (exclusive) in days.
`duration.inMonths()`	Computes the `DURATION` between the `from` instant (inclusive) and the `to` instant (exclusive) in months.
`duration.inSeconds()`	Computes the `DURATION` between the `from` instant (inclusive) and the `to` instant (exclusive) in seconds.

duration.inDays()

Computes the DURATION between the from instant (inclusive) and the to instant (exclusive) in days.

duration.inMonths()

Computes the DURATION between the from instant (inclusive) and the to instant (exclusive) in months.

duration.inSeconds()

Computes the DURATION between the from instant (inclusive) and the to instant (exclusive) in seconds.

Temporal instant functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`date.realtime()`	Returns the current `DATE` instant using the realtime clock.
`date.statement()`	Returns the current `DATE` instant using the statement clock.
`date.transaction()`	Returns the current `DATE` instant using the transaction clock.
`date.truncate()`	Returns the current `DATE` instant using the transaction clock.
`datetime.fromEpoch()`	Creates a `ZONED DATETIME` given the seconds and nanoseconds since the start of the epoch.
`datetime.fromEpochMillis()`	Creates a `ZONED DATETIME` given the milliseconds since the start of the epoch.
`datetime.realtime()`	Returns the current `ZONED DATETIME` instant using the realtime clock.
`datetime.statement()`	Returns the current `ZONED DATETIME` instant using the statement clock.
`datetime.transaction()`	Returns the current `ZONED DATETIME` instant using the transaction clock.
`datetime.truncate()`	Truncates the given temporal value to a `ZONED DATETIME` instant using the specified unit.
`localdatetime.realtime()`	Returns the current `LOCAL DATETIME` instant using the realtime clock.
`localdatetime.statement()`	Returns the current `LOCAL DATETIME` instant using the statement clock.
`localdatetime.transaction()`	Returns the current `LOCAL DATETIME` instant using the transaction clock.
`localdatetime.truncate()`	Truncates the given temporal value to a `LOCAL DATETIME` instant using the specified unit.
`localtime.realtime()`	Returns the current `LOCAL TIME` instant using the realtime clock.
`localtime.statement()`	Returns the current `LOCAL TIME` instant using the statement clock.
`localtime.transaction()`	Returns the current `LOCAL TIME` instant using the transaction clock.
`localtime.truncate()`	Truncates the given temporal value to a `LOCAL TIME` instant using the specified unit.
`time.realtime()`	Returns the current `ZONED TIME` instant using the realtime clock.
`time.statement()`	Returns the current `ZONED TIME` instant using the statement clock.
`time.transaction()`	Returns the current `ZONED TIME` instant using the transaction clock.
`time.truncate()`	Truncates the given temporal value to a `ZONED TIME` instant using the specified unit.

date.realtime()

Returns the current DATE instant using the realtime clock.

date.statement()

Returns the current DATE instant using the statement clock.

date.transaction()

Returns the current DATE instant using the transaction clock.

date.truncate()

Returns the current DATE instant using the transaction clock.

datetime.fromEpoch()

Creates a ZONED DATETIME given the seconds and nanoseconds since the start of the epoch.

datetime.fromEpochMillis()

Creates a ZONED DATETIME given the milliseconds since the start of the epoch.

datetime.realtime()

Returns the current ZONED DATETIME instant using the realtime clock.

datetime.statement()

Returns the current ZONED DATETIME instant using the statement clock.

datetime.transaction()

Returns the current ZONED DATETIME instant using the transaction clock.

datetime.truncate()

Truncates the given temporal value to a ZONED DATETIME instant using the specified unit.

localdatetime.realtime()

Returns the current LOCAL DATETIME instant using the realtime clock.

localdatetime.statement()

Returns the current LOCAL DATETIME instant using the statement clock.

localdatetime.transaction()

Returns the current LOCAL DATETIME instant using the transaction clock.

localdatetime.truncate()

Truncates the given temporal value to a LOCAL DATETIME instant using the specified unit.

localtime.realtime()

Returns the current LOCAL TIME instant using the realtime clock.

localtime.statement()

Returns the current LOCAL TIME instant using the statement clock.

localtime.transaction()

Returns the current LOCAL TIME instant using the transaction clock.

localtime.truncate()

Truncates the given temporal value to a LOCAL TIME instant using the specified unit.

time.realtime()

Returns the current ZONED TIME instant using the realtime clock.

time.statement()

Returns the current ZONED TIME instant using the statement clock.

time.transaction()

Returns the current ZONED TIME instant using the transaction clock.

time.truncate()

Truncates the given temporal value to a ZONED TIME instant using the specified unit.

Vector functions

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`vector.similarity.cosine()`	Returns a `FLOAT` representing the similarity between the argument vectors based on their cosine.
`vector.similarity.euclidean()`	Returns a `FLOAT` representing the similarity between the argument vectors based on their Euclidean distance.

vector.similarity.cosine()

Returns a FLOAT representing the similarity between the argument vectors based on their cosine.

vector.similarity.euclidean()

Returns a FLOAT representing the similarity between the argument vectors based on their Euclidean distance.

Indexes

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
Range indexes	Neo4j’s default index. Supports most types of predicates.
Text indexes	Solves predicates operating on `STRING` values. Optimized for queries filtering with the `STRING` operators `CONTAINS` and `ENDS WITH`.
Point indexes	Solves predicates on spatial `POINT` values. Optimized for queries filtering on distance or within bounding boxes.
Token lookup indexes	Only solves node label and relationship type predicates (i.e. they cannot solve any predicates filtering on properties).
Full text indexes	Enables searching within the content of `STRING` properties and for similarity comparisons between query strings and `STRING` values stored in the database.
Vector indexes	Enables similarity searches and complex analytical queries by representing nodes or properties as vectors in a multidimensional space.
Index hints	Cypher allows for index hints to influence the planner when creating execution plans. Index hints are specified with the `USING` keyword.

Range indexes

Neo4j’s default index. Supports most types of predicates.

Text indexes

Solves predicates operating on STRING values. Optimized for queries filtering with the STRING operators CONTAINS and ENDS WITH.

Point indexes

Solves predicates on spatial POINT values. Optimized for queries filtering on distance or within bounding boxes.

Token lookup indexes

Only solves node label and relationship type predicates (i.e. they cannot solve any predicates filtering on properties).

Full text indexes

Enables searching within the content of STRING properties and for similarity comparisons between query strings and STRING values stored in the database.

Vector indexes

Enables similarity searches and complex analytical queries by representing nodes or properties as vectors in a multidimensional space.

Index hints

Cypher allows for index hints to influence the planner when creating execution plans. Index hints are specified with the USING keyword.

Constraints

GQL supports GRAPH TYPES as a way of constraining a graph schema, but does not support individual constraints.

Cypher feature	Description
Property uniqueness constraints	Ensures that the combined property values are unique for all nodes with a specific label or all relationships with a specific type.
Property existence constraints	Ensures that a property exists either for all nodes with a specific label or for all relationships with a specific type.
Property type constraints	Ensures that a property has the required property type for all nodes with a specific label or for all relationships with a specific type.
Key constraints	Ensures that all properties exist and that the combined property values are unique for all nodes with a specific label or all relationships with a specific type.

Cypher feature

Description

Property uniqueness constraints

Ensures that the combined property values are unique for all nodes with a specific label or all relationships with a specific type.

Property existence constraints

Ensures that a property exists either for all nodes with a specific label or for all relationships with a specific type.

Property type constraints

Ensures that a property has the required property type for all nodes with a specific label or for all relationships with a specific type.

Key constraints

Ensures that all properties exist and that the combined property values are unique for all nodes with a specific label or all relationships with a specific type.

Operators

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`STARTS WITH`, `CONTAINS`, `ENDS WITH`, and regular expressions.	`STRING` comparison operators.
`IN`	`IN` predicate for `LIST` values.

STARTS WITH, CONTAINS, ENDS WITH, and regular expressions.

STRING comparison operators.

IN

IN predicate for LIST values.

Query optimization

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
`EXPLAIN`/`PROFILE`	Optionally prepended to queries to produce execution plans. `EXPLAIN` will only generate an execution plan but not run the query; `PROFILE` will do both.
`CYPHER runtime=parallel`	Cypher allows for setting the runtime of queries, determining how the query will be executed. The available Cypher runtimes are: slotted, pipelined, parallel.
`CYPHER inferSchemaParts=off`	Cypher allows for setting numerous query options. For more information, see Query options.

EXPLAIN/PROFILE

Optionally prepended to queries to produce execution plans. EXPLAIN will only generate an execution plan but not run the query; PROFILE will do both.

CYPHER runtime=parallel

Cypher allows for setting the runtime of queries, determining how the query will be executed. The available Cypher runtimes are: slotted, pipelined, parallel.

CYPHER inferSchemaParts=off

Cypher allows for setting numerous query options. For more information, see Query options.

Administration

The documentation for Cypher’s administration commands is located in Neo4j’s Operation Manual.

Cypher feature Description

Cypher feature	Description
Database management	Commands to `CREATE`, `SHOW`, `ALTER`, and `DROP` standard and composite databases.
Alias management	Commands to `CREATE`, `SHOW`, `ALTER`, and `DROP` database aliases.
Server management	Commands to administer servers in a cluster and the databases allocated to them.
Authentication and authorization	Commands to manage users, roles, and privileges.

Database management

Commands to CREATE, SHOW, ALTER, and DROP standard and composite databases.

Alias management

Commands to CREATE, SHOW, ALTER, and DROP database aliases.

Server management

Commands to administer servers in a cluster and the databases allocated to them.

Authentication and authorization

Commands to manage users, roles, and privileges.