Overview
The Mindmup editor is where you build and work on your maps. A map is made up of nodes that you can add, edit, move, connect, and style. You can also add notes, images, files, links, and other supporting information.
The editor gives you different tools for working with individual nodes and the map as a whole. Once you know which tool to use for a particular task, you can work more quickly without searching through every menu.
Understand the editor
The editor has a few main areas that you'll use regularly:
- Top-left menu: Manage your map, including creating, importing, exporting, sharing, renaming, duplicating, moving, and viewing version history.
- Menus: Use Edit, View, Insert, and Text for editing, navigating, adding content, and formatting.
- Node quick menu: Select a node to quickly change its style, add content, or perform actions on it.
- Top-right tools: Access collaborator tools, notes, presenting, and sharing.
- Canvas: The main workspace where you build and arrange your map.
- Center menu: Quickly access the Select tool, Add root node, and Reactions & emojis.
- Bottom-right controls: Quickly zoom, undo, redo, and open help resources.
Build and edit your map
To add a node, select an existing node and click the + button that appears beside or below it. The position of the + button lets you add a child or sibling node.
You can also right-click a node to open its Actions menu. From there, you can add a child, sibling, or parent node, select related nodes, fold or unfold nodes, cut, copy, and paste, detach the node, reset its position, or delete it.
To edit a node's text, double-click the node or press Space. Use the node quick menu when you want to change its style, add a list, create a link, or add supporting content.
For other editing tasks, the Edit menu provides options such as Undo, Redo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Find, Select, and Delete.
Add information to nodes
Nodes can contain more than their title. Select a node and use the quick menu to add information that supports the idea.
You can add:
- Notes for additional details
- Images for visual information
- Attach file for related files
- Create link for external resources
- Add sticky note for additional information on the map
This is useful when you want to keep supporting material together with the idea it belongs to.
Organize and navigate your map
As your map grows, you can use different tools depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
- Use Auto layout when you want Mindmup to arrange the map automatically.
- Use Fold when you want to temporarily hide part of a map.
- Use Zoom to fit when you want to see the whole map.
- Use Recenter view when you want to bring the map back into view.
- Use Find when you need to locate a particular node.
- Use selection tools when you need to work with several nodes at once.
For example, when working on a large map, you can fold branches you're not currently editing and zoom in on the section you're working on. This keeps the canvas easier to manage without changing the map's content.
Customize your map
Use the node quick menu when you want to change an individual node. You can adjust its colors, shape, font, size, alignment, and text style.
When you want to change the appearance of the map as a whole, use Customize layout & style. Depending on the map type, you can change the map direction and style, as well as colors, text, shapes, and lines.
A useful rule is: node quick menu for one node, Customize layout & style for the overall map.
Share and collaborate
Use Share when you want to give other people access to your map. You can invite people, share with teams, manage existing access, or configure general access.
The editor also includes Collaborator tools and Notes for working with information and other people while you work on the map.
Find tools quickly
You don't always need to open a menu to find an action.
Right-click anywhere on the canvas to access common options such as Paste, Insert root node, Show grid, Auto layout, Fold all nodes, Unfold all nodes, Select all, and Customize layout & style.
Many editor actions also have keyboard shortcuts. For example, Space lets you edit node text and F folds or unfolds a subtree. Open Help & account › Keyboard shortcuts for the complete list.
Example use cases
Brainstorming
Start with a root node and add child or sibling nodes as ideas come to you. You can rearrange the structure later and use Auto layout to organize the map.
Taking notes
Use nodes for the main ideas and add Notes when you need to keep longer explanations or supporting information with a node.
Planning a project
Create nodes for major areas of work, then add related nodes underneath them. Use connections, links, files, or notes when additional information is useful.
Building an argument
Use an Argument Visualization map to organize claims, reasons, and objections. The editor provides tools specifically for adding and arranging these elements.
Tips
- Start by building your map's structure before spending time on detailed styling.
- Use the node quick menu for changes to individual nodes and Customize layout & style for changes to the overall map.
- Fold branches that you aren't currently working on when a map becomes crowded.
- Use Auto layout when you want the structure arranged automatically.
- Right-click the canvas when you need quick access to common actions.
- If you're not sure what a tool does, hover over it or check the relevant menu before making changes.
- Open Help & account › Keyboard shortcuts to view the complete list of available shortcuts.
Common questions
Can I work with more than one node at a time?
Yes. Hold Shift and select the nodes you want to work with. You can then perform actions on the selected nodes as a group. Mindmup also provides options for selecting a subtree, children, siblings, or all nodes.
Can I undo changes I make while editing?
Yes. Use Undo to reverse your most recent change and Redo to restore a change you have undone.
What happens if I need to recover an earlier version of my map?
Mindmup keeps version history for maps, allowing you to view previous versions and restore one or save it as a new map.
Related features
- How to Add Topics
- How to Move, Rearrange, Nest, Copy and Paste Topics
- How to Select Topics
- How to Fold and Unfold Topics
- How to Use Auto Layout
- How to Add Notes
- How to Customize Map Layout
- How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts
- How to Use Argument Visualization
Ready to explore the editor? Open a blank map or an existing map and try building a few nodes. As you work, experiment with the node quick menu, canvas tools, and layout options to see which tools fit your workflow.