Overview
Connections let you show relationships between nodes that are not directly connected through the main hierarchy of your map. They are useful when two ideas relate to each other but placing one underneath the other would not accurately represent that relationship.
In Mindmup, you can draw a connection between nodes, customize the connecting line, add arrows, and add a label to explain the relationship.
Connect two nodes
To create a connection:
- Select the node where you want the connection to start.
- Click the Add connection icon in the node menu.
- A green dashed line appears.
- Click the node you want to connect to.
Mindmup creates a connecting line between the two nodes.
For faster access, hold Alt + X on Windows or Option + X on Mac, then click the node you want to connect to.
Customize a connection
Click the connecting line to open its quick menu. You can then change how the connection appears.
Available options include:
- Line style to change the color of the connecting line.
- Add arrow to add an arrow at the end point, start point, or both ends of the connection.
- Solid line to display the connection as a continuous line.
- Dashed line to display the connection as a dashed line.
- Line thickness to choose a thickness of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or set a custom thickness.
These options can help make the meaning of different connections easier to understand.
Add a label to a connection
Labels let you explain what the relationship between two connected nodes means.
- Click the connecting line to open its quick menu.
- Select the Add text icon.
- Enter a label for the connection.
- Press Enter.
For example, you could use labels such as “depends on,” “leads to,” “supports,” or “related to” to make the relationship clearer.
Format a connection label
Click a connection label to open its formatting options. You can change:
- Font to choose a font style.
- Font size to choose XS, S, M, L, XL, or a custom size.
- Text color to change the label color.
- Text style to apply bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough.
Use formatting when you need a connection label to stand out or match the visual organization of your map.
Example use cases
Connections are useful when relationships do not fit neatly into the parent-and-child structure of a mind map. You can use them to:
- Show dependencies between project tasks.
- Connect related concepts in study notes.
- Show cause-and-effect relationships.
- Link ideas from different branches of a brainstorming map.
- Show how people, processes, or resources relate to each other.
For example, a project map might have separate branches for tasks and resources. A connection can show which resource is required for a particular task without moving either node from its existing branch.
Tips
- Use connections for relationships between nodes, not as a replacement for the main hierarchy.
- Add arrows when the direction of a relationship matters.
- Add a short label when the meaning of a connection may not be immediately clear.
- Use different line styles or thicknesses when you need to distinguish different types of relationships.
- Keep connection labels concise so your map remains easy to scan.
Common questions
What is the difference between a connection and a parent-child relationship?
A parent-child relationship places nodes within the hierarchy of your map. A connection shows an additional relationship between nodes without changing where they belong in that hierarchy.
Can I connect nodes from different branches?
Yes. You can create a connection between nodes in different branches of the map. This is useful for showing relationships between ideas while keeping each node in its appropriate place in the main hierarchy.
What happens to a connection if I move a node?
The connection remains between the two nodes when you reposition them. This lets you reorganize your map without having to recreate the relationship.
Related features
- How to Add Topics
- How to Add Sticky Notes
- How to Move, Rearrange, Nest, Copy and Paste Topics
- How to Customize Shapes and Lines
- How to Customize Map Layout
Show relationships across your map
Use connections when related ideas belong in different parts of your map. Add arrows, labels, or different line styles where they help make those relationships easier to understand at a glance.