How to make a mind map

1. Put one clear topic in the centre

Everything on the map should relate to the central topic, so make it specific. “Marketing” is vague; “Launch plan for the spring collection” tells you what belongs and what does not. A question also works well: “Why are deliveries late?”

2. Add the main branches first

Before details, list the four to seven big themes. These first-level branches are the skeleton. In the editor, select the centre and press Tab for the first branch, then Enter for each next one. Resist the urge to go deep yet — breadth first gives you a better structure.

3. Use keywords, not sentences

Short labels are faster to scan and easier to rearrange. If you need to say more, put it in the topic’s note (in the inspector panel) — the note stays with the topic and appears in Markdown, OPML and HTML exports, while the map stays clean.

4. Grow detail where you need it

Now go deeper on the branches that matter. Select a branch and press Tab to add a child. Keep each level about the same kind of thing: under “Channels”, list channels — not budget figures.

5. Reorganise freely

Drag any topic onto another to move it, or drop it above or below a topic to reorder. Alt + ↑/↓ reorders with the keyboard; Shift+Tab moves a topic one level out. Every change is one step you can undo.

6. Make relationships visible

Some ideas connect across branches. Select one, choose Connect to another topic… and click the other. Label the link (“depends on”, “contradicts”). The tree stays tidy and the connection is still visible.

7. Use colour and layout with intent

Each main branch gets its own colour automatically, which helps memory. Switch layouts when the job changes: a balanced map for exploring, an org chart for hierarchies, a logic tree for reading as a list, a timeline for sequences and a fishbone for causes.

8. Share it

Export a PNG or PDF for others, Markdown or OPML to continue in another tool, or the .mindmap.json file to keep everything editable. Because maps are stored only in your browser, export important maps — or use Backup all in My maps.

Common mistakes

• Too many first-level branches. More than about eight usually means some belong together — group them.
• Mixed levels. If a branch contains both categories and examples, add a level.
• Sentences everywhere. Move them into notes.

Open a blank map or start from a template.

More guides: Mind map vs concept map · Mind mapping techniques · Keyboard shortcuts