Overview
Auto Layout helps keep your Mindmup map organized by automatically arranging topics on the canvas. As you add, remove, or reorganize topics, Mindmup manages their positions so you can focus on the content instead of manually adjusting the layout.
Auto Layout is useful when a map has become crowded, topics are difficult to follow, or you simply want Mindmup to handle topic positioning for you.
Turn Auto Layout on or off
You can control Auto Layout from the View menu:
- Click the Mindmup icon.
- Select View.
- Click Auto layout to turn it on or off.
You can also access the setting directly from the canvas:
- Right-click an empty area of the map.
- Click Auto layout to check or uncheck the option.
When Auto Layout is enabled, Mindmup automatically manages the positions of topics according to the structure of your map.
Work with Auto Layout
Auto Layout is particularly helpful as your map changes. For example, you might add several child topics during a brainstorming session or reorganize existing topics into different branches.
With Auto Layout enabled, Mindmup handles topic positioning as the structure changes. This can reduce the need to manually reposition individual topics and help keep relationships between topics easier to follow.
If you prefer to control topic positions yourself, turn Auto layout off.
Example use cases
Auto Layout can help when you want to:
- Quickly organize topics during a brainstorming session.
- Keep a growing study or research map readable.
- Reorganize topics without repeatedly adjusting their positions.
- Clean up a map after adding several new branches.
- Focus on the structure and content instead of topic placement.
For example, when brainstorming a project, you might add ideas quickly without worrying about where each topic should sit on the canvas. With Auto Layout enabled, Mindmup manages the arrangement while you concentrate on capturing and organizing your ideas.
Tips
- Keep Auto layout enabled when you want Mindmup to manage topic positions automatically.
- Turn it off when you want more control over where topics appear on the canvas.
- If you manually reposition a topic and want to return it to its automatic position, select the topic and use Reset node position from its Actions menu.
- Use View › Show grid when a visual grid would help you work with topic placement.
- Use View › Zoom to fit when you want to see the full visible map after reorganizing it.
Common questions
Why did my topics move?
Check whether Auto layout is enabled. When it is on, Mindmup automatically manages topic positions based on the structure of your map.
How do I return a topic to its automatic position?
Select the topic, right-click to open the Actions menu, and choose Reset node position. Mindmup will return the topic to its automatically arranged position.
Related features
- How to Move, Rearrange, Nest, Copy and Paste Topics
- How to Customize Map Layout
- How to Zoom and Navigate
- How to Use View Options
- How to Organize Large Maps
Keep your map organized as it grows
Try Auto Layout when you want to spend less time positioning topics and more time working with your ideas. Turn it on in a map you are already building, or start with a blank map and see how Mindmup arranges topics as you add new branches.