Overview
Org Charts in Mindmup arrange information into a clear hierarchy. They are useful when you need to show how people, roles, teams, tasks, or other information relate across different levels.
You can build an Org Chart from the top down or bottom up, depending on how your information is organized. You can also choose between Bubble and Simple map styles and set the map density to Comfortable or Compact to control how closely the nodes are arranged.
Create a new Org Chart
You can create an Org Chart directly from the Mindmup Home dashboard:
- Click the drop-down arrow next to + New map.
- Choose Org chart.
Mindmup creates a new map using the Org Chart layout.
If you are already working in the Mindmup editor, you can also create one from the File menu:
- Click the Mindmup icon in the top-left corner.
- Select File › New › Org chart.
- Add your first node.
- Add child nodes to create the next level of the hierarchy.
- Continue adding nodes to build out the structure.
For a traditional organizational chart, start with the highest-level role or group and add the next levels underneath it.
Change an existing map to an Org Chart
You can also change an existing map to the Org Chart layout.
- Click the Customize layout & style icon in the top-left corner.
- From Layout, select Org Chart under Map type.
Your existing nodes will be arranged using the Org Chart layout.
Choose the direction
Org Charts can organize information in two directions:
- Top-down starts from the top and flows downward in clear levels. It works well for teams and hierarchies where the highest-level role or group comes first.
- Bottom-up starts with foundational ideas or data points and builds upward toward broader information.
Choose the direction that best matches how your information is structured.
To change the direction, open Customize layout & style › Layout, then select Top-down or Bottom-up under Map direction.
Choose the map density
Map density controls how much space is used between nodes in your Org Chart.
- Comfortable gives nodes more space, making the hierarchy feel more open and easier to scan.
- Compact places nodes closer together, helping you fit more information into the available space.
Use Comfortable when you have a smaller Org Chart or want more visual space between nodes. Try Compact for larger charts where you want to see more of the hierarchy at once.
Click Customize layout & style. From Layout, choose Comfortable or Compact under Map density.
Choose an Org Chart style
Org Charts include two map styles:
- Bubble uses rounded or boxed nodes for clear grouping. This helps individual roles, teams, or sections stand out as separate parts of the hierarchy.
- Simple uses clean, text-only nodes without backgrounds. This creates a lighter layout and keeps the focus on the content and hierarchy.
For the company example above, Bubble can help make each role and department visually distinct. It works well when you want the different parts of the hierarchy to be clearly separated.
Simple can be useful for Org Charts with many nodes or levels. The text-only appearance reduces visual clutter and keeps the structure easy to scan.
Open Customize layout & style › Layout, then choose Bubble or Simple under Map style.
Example use cases
Org Charts can be used for any information that has a clear hierarchy. For example, you can use one to:
- Show teams, departments, managers, and reporting relationships.
- Map project roles and responsibilities.
- Organize committees or working groups.
- Break a project into phases, workstreams, and tasks.
- Create a hierarchy of ideas for a lesson or study guide.
- Organize categories and subcategories.
Tips
- Start with the highest-level role or idea when creating a traditional Top-down Org Chart.
- Use Top-down when the hierarchy itself is important, such as showing who reports to whom.
- Try Bottom-up when several foundational ideas or data points contribute to something larger.
- Use Bubble when clear visual grouping helps readers distinguish individual nodes.
- Try Simple when you have many nodes and want a cleaner, less visually busy chart.
- Keep node text concise so the hierarchy remains easy to scan.
- Fold branches you are not currently working with when a large Org Chart becomes difficult to navigate. Select a node and press F to fold or unfold its branch.
Common questions
Can I change the direction after I have started my Org Chart?
Yes. You can switch between Top-down and Bottom-up from the layout settings without creating the chart again.
Can I switch between Bubble and Simple later?
Yes. You can change the Map style as your chart grows. This can be useful if the chart becomes crowded or you want the individual parts of the hierarchy to be more visually distinct.
What if my Org Chart becomes too large to see at once?
Use Zoom to fit to bring the whole chart into view. Press Ctrl + 1 on Windows or Command + 1 on Mac to quickly fit the map to the available space.
You can also hold Ctrl on Windows or Command on Mac and scroll to zoom in or out when you want to focus on a specific part of the Org Chart.
Related features
- How to Add Nodes
- How to Move, Rearrange, Nest, Copy and Paste Nodes
- How to Fold and Unfold Nodes
- How to Customize Map Layout
- Choosing the Right Map Type
Make your Org Chart easier to follow
Choose the direction, style, and density that best fit the information you want to organize. Keep node text concise and arrange related information at the same level so the hierarchy is clear and easy to scan.
As you build your Org Chart, focus on making the relationships between roles, groups, or ideas easy to understand at a glance.