Overview
Exporting a map as an outline turns the topics in your Mindmup map into a structured document. This is useful when you want to take information from a visual map and work with it in another format.
Mindmup supports Microsoft Word, Markdown, Tab-indented text, HTML, OPML, and Emacs org mode for outline exports. You can also choose how many heading levels to use, set the image size, start the export from a selected node, and include notes.
Export a map as an outline
You can start the export from the Home dashboard or from an open map.
From the Home dashboard, click the Actions (three-dot) menu next to the map and select Export. If the map is already open, click the Mindmup icon in the top-left corner, then select File › Export.
- Select Outline.
- Under Format, choose Microsoft Word, Markdown, Tab-indented text, HTML, OPML, or Emacs org mode.
- Under Outline type, choose Bullet points or select between 1 and 5 heading levels + bullet points.
- Under Image size, choose As in map or Full size.
- Under Preferences, select Start from selected node if you want to export only from a specific part of the map.
- Select Include notes if you want notes included in the exported outline.
- Click Export.
Start the outline from a selected node
By default, the outline is based on the map. If you only need a particular section, use Start from selected node.
Select the topic you want to start from before opening the export options. Then select Start from selected node under Preferences when exporting the outline.
This is useful for exporting one branch of a larger map instead of the entire map.
Include notes in the outline
If your map contains notes that you want in the exported document, select Include notes under Preferences before clicking Export.
Leave this option unselected if you only want to export the map's topic structure.
Example use cases
- Exporting a map as an outline can be useful when you want to:
- Turn a brainstorming map into a structured document.
- Move a study map into a text-based format.
- Export one section of a large map using Start from selected node.
- Include topic notes along with your outline.
- Use the structure of a map in another application that supports one of the available export formats.
Tips
- Choose Microsoft Word if you want to continue writing, editing, or formatting the outline as a document.
- Choose Markdown for Markdown-compatible editors, documentation tools, or publishing workflows.
- Choose Tab-indented text when you need a simple text-based outline with indentation showing the structure.
- Choose HTML when you need the outline in a web-compatible format.
- Choose OPML when moving hierarchical outline information to an application that supports OPML.
- Choose Emacs org mode when you plan to work with the outline in Emacs Org mode or a compatible tool.
- Use Start from selected node when you only need one section of a larger map.
- Select Include notes when your topic notes contain information you want in the exported outline.
- Review how your topics are nested before exporting. The map's hierarchy affects the structure of the outline.
Common questions
Should I export an outline or a PDF?
Export an outline when you want to work with the topics and hierarchy of your map in another format. Export a PDF when you want to preserve the map as a visual document for sharing or printing.
What's the difference between heading levels and bullet points?
The Outline type controls how the map hierarchy is represented in the exported outline. You can use Bullet points only or choose between 1 and 5 heading levels + bullet points. The heading levels determine how much of the hierarchy is represented as headings, with the remaining levels shown as bullet points.
Should I choose As in map or Full size for images?
Choose As in map to keep images at the size used in your map. Choose Full size when you want the exported outline to use the full-size images.
What if I only want a text version of my map?
Choose a text-based format that fits what you plan to do next. For example, Tab-indented text provides a simple text outline, while Markdown is useful when you plan to work with the content in a Markdown-compatible application.
What should I do if the exported outline is not organized the way I expected?
Return to the map and review how your topics are arranged and nested. You can also try a different Outline type to change how heading levels and bullet points are used in the exported outline.
Related features
- How to Export a Map as PDF
- How to Export a Map as an Image
- How to Export Notes
- How to Add Notes
- How to Move, Rearrange, Nest, Copy and Paste Topics
- How to Download a Mindmup File
Turn your map into an outline
Ready to use your ideas beyond the map? Export a map you're already working on as an outline and choose the format that works best for what you want to do next.
Whether you're preparing a document, working with structured text, or moving your ideas into another tool, an outline gives you another way to work with the content you've organized in Mindmup.