Mind map

Working with mind maps

You can add as many nodes to your mind map as you like. You can move the nodes around to suit your needs, or use auto layout for a clean look. You can also reassign child nodes to other parent nodes, or delete nodes altogether.

Moving, resizing, adding, deleting nodes

As you rearrange nodes in your mind map, all child nodes will automatically align. This is because auto layout is turned on by default.To turn auto layout on or off, click the parent node, and in the context menu toggle auto layout.

Using auto layout to align changes to nodes

When auto layout is turned off, you can still align all your child nodes. After you’ve finished organizing your mind map, click the parent node, then click the three dots (...) in the context menu and select Layout nodes.

To reassign a child node to another parent node, simply drag the node.

✏️ Hold down Ctrl (for Windows)/Cmd (for Mac)if you'd like to move the node instead of reassigning it.

Reassigning a node

Use nodes linking to show dependencies between ideas in your mind map when visualizing complex concepts.

Nodes linking

You can also change your mind map's size by selecting it and dragging the white dot.

Changing mind map's size

To add text to a node, double-click it.

✏️ Use Shift + Return to break lines inside a node.

To create a bullet-list in a node, type - and press the spacebar. To create a numbered list, type 1. at the beginning of a line.
To create a bullet list starting from the second (or third/fourth/etc.) line, create a new line with Cmd + Enter (for Mac) or Ctrl + Enter (for Windows).

Inserting additional text into a node

To delete a node, press Delete or click three dots on the context menu and choose Delete. The node will be deleted along with all the child nodes.

Deleting a node

⚠️ Mind map nodes can't be locked and grouped.

Formatting mind map elements

You can choose the style for your mind map (the nodes can either use curved or straight lines) and change the orientation. And if you want your mind map to look colorful and bright, use Randomize tool.

Style of your mind map

Since the main component of every mind map is text, you can apply different text styling options in its shortened version. Please note that to preserve the visual consistency of the mind map, changing the text size in the parent node will affect the whole mind map.

Changing the font size of the mind map

You can change individual nodes by using different options on the context menu: change the style and color, highlight text, and add an URL. Currently, it is not possible to change the font.

Changing a node

Changing node type

There are four visual styles of node:

• None - no shape is applied
• Pill - an oval pill-shape
• Rounded rectangle - a rectangular shape with rounded corners
• Rectangle - rectangular shape

To add a node type:

1. Select the node you want to affect
2. Click the node type button in the toolbar
3. Choose the style of node type you want
4. The style will be applied and the node will be filled with the same color as the branch
5. You can also change the color of the node and its fill opacity for greater visual impact:
   Changing a node's type and color options

Expanding and collapsing mind maps

Build mind maps of any size without getting lost in the details. Expand and collapse branches to:

• get a better overview of your mind map
• focus on the right level of detail while working
• help users easily navigate your mind map
• present only certain levels of detail to your audience

How to collapse and expand branches

To collapse, hover over the branch and click the minus ( - ) button. Any comments attached to that branch will also be hidden.

After collapsing a branch, you’ll see a number that indicates how many nodes and comments are hidden. To expand the branch again, simply click the number.

Expanding and collapsing branches of a mind map

Mind map export

You can export your mind map as an image or PDF file. Learn more about export functionality on this page. 

To export your mind map as an image, do the following:

1. Click the Export this board icon. You do not need to have anything selected.
2. Choose Save as image.
3. Use the drag handles to select your mind map.
4. Choose the size you want and click Export. You can also select PDF here.
5. The file will be saved to your local hard drive with the name of your board as the filename.
   Exporting your mind map as an image

To export your mind map as a PDF, do the following:

1. Click the Export this board icon. You do not need to have anything selected.
2. Choose Save as PDF. You will be prompted to create a frame for your mind map if it doesn’t already exist.
3. To create a frame, click the Create a frame button in the pop-up box. Choose a style from the options at left. Resize the frame to cover your mind map.
4. Click Export this board again and choose Save as PDF.
5. Choose the best PDF option for you and click Export.
   Exporting your mind map as a PDF file

You can also select the mind map, right-click and choose Copy as image, which will copy only the selected object rather than the entire board. This will not export your mind map, however, it will simply place the copy on the board.

Frequently asked questions

💡 If you haven't found the feature you've been looking for, feel free to share your idea in the Community Wish List.

✏️ If you experience issues using a mind map, try these troubleshooting tips.