Connection lines allow you to link objects on the board. This is helpful for building diagrams and flowcharts.
💡 To learn more about connection lines in Mind Map check out this article.
Available on: browser version, Desktop app, Tablet app, Mobile app (limited functionality)
In this article:
- Creating and editing connection lines
- Adding text labels
- Creating connection lines between objects
- Frequently asked questions
- Watch the video
Creating and editing connection lines
To create a line, select Connection Line on the toolbar or use the hotkey L, click an object and drag your cursor to another object. You can also select an object and click one of the blue dots around it to start drawing a line.
Creating connection lines
Change arrowheads, the line type, thickness, colour, etc. in the context menu.
Modifying connection lines
💡To draw a straight horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line, start drawing a line and hold Shift.
💡To disable snapping to other objects hold Ctrl (for Windows) or Cmd (for Mac).
Drawing a straight line and a standalone line
If you want to create a specific path for the line, you can do so by working with the blue and white bullet points on the line. To remove extra bends and turns, simply double-click the white bullet points (use double tap on tablet).
Changing a connection line
To disconnect a line and attach it to another object, drag the line end.
Attaching a connection line to another object
To delete a connection line, select it, click three dots on the context menu, and click Delete (or simply hold backspace).
Adding text labels
Each diagram item is meaningful, and the lines are not an exception. To establish clearer relations between objects on your boards, use text labels.
Double-click any connection line or click +T in the context menu to start entering the text. Fix it horizontally or let the text follow line curves.
Adding a text label to the line
You can change the text size, colour on the context menu and move the text along the line by dragging it. To delete the text, select it and hold backpace on the keyboard.
💡 Create a timeline by adding multiple text labels and changing their positions on the line by dragging.
Creating a timeline
Creating connection lines between objects
You can connect shapes, cards, sticky notes, text blocks, images by dragging the blue dots around them.
Connecting stickies and shapes with lines
If you drag a line from an object without attaching it to another one, you will be suggested to create a new widget:
Adding a new widget to a connection line
If you attach a connection line to a non-center blue dot, lines will cross if you move the object:
Two shapes are linked via a side blue dot
If you link the line to the centre blue dot, lines won't cross if you move the object:
Two shapes are connected via a center blue dot
Frequently asked questions
- How to create a connection line with arrowheads on both ends?
- Select the line and, choose None on the context menu and add the arrowhead.
Changing an arrowhead - How to prevent connection lines from linking to objects?
- To disable snapping while moving a connection line, hold down Ctrl (for Windows) or Cmd (for Mac. - Can I change the font and alignment of text label on a line?
- No, this is not possible at the moment. - Can I change the size of arrowheads?
- The size of the arrowheads is changed when you change the thickness of your connection line. - How do I change the line thickness?
- Select a line, choose Type on the context menu and adjust thickness.
Changing thickness of a connection line - Can I apply one style to all connection lines on my board?
- Yes, use the following workaround: copy a style of one connection line, select all objectz on the board (you can use a shortcut Ctrl + A (for Windows) or Cmd + A (for Mac), filter connection lines and choose Paste style under the three dots of the context menu.
Applying one style to all connection lines on the board - What happens if you lock a connection line?
- You cannot edit the line type, colour, thickness, etc., but you can still move objects to which the line is attached. - Can I hide connection lines?
- No, you can only delete connection lines.