Overview
View options help you control how your Mindmup map looks and how you move around it while you work. They are especially useful when a map becomes large, has many branches, or contains information you do not need to see all at once.
You can fold branches, zoom in and out, bring the whole map into view, recenter the canvas, show or hide supporting elements, and use full-screen view when you need more space.
Open the View menu
To open the available view options:
- Click the Mindmup icon in the top-left corner.
- Select View.
The View menu contains options for folding nodes, controlling what is displayed on the canvas, changing the view, and accessing other map settings.
You can also right-click an empty area of the canvas to access commonly used options such as Show grid, Auto layout, and Fold all nodes.
Navigate around your map
When working with a large map, you will often need to move between the overall structure and individual sections.
Use Zoom in when you want to see more detail in a particular part of the map. Use Zoom out when you want to see more branches at once.
If you lose your place, Zoom to fit brings the entire map into view. This is a useful way to get your bearings before zooming back into the section you want to work on.
You can also use Recenter view to bring the map back to the center of the workspace.
For quick navigation:
- Ctrl + Scroll to zoom in or out.
- Ctrl + 0 to recenter the view.
- Ctrl + 1 to zoom to fit.
- H to switch to the Hand tool for panning.
On Mac, use Command instead of Ctrl for the shortcuts that use Ctrl.
Focus on a section of your map
You do not always need to see the entire map. Folding branches can make a large map much easier to work with by temporarily hiding nodes you are not currently using.
Under Fold/unfold, you can:
- Fold or unfold a subtree — Press F.
- Fold one level — Press Alt + F on Windows or Option + F on Mac.
- Unfold one level — Press Shift + F
- Fold all nodes
- Unfold all nodes
You can also select a node and press F to fold or unfold its branch.
A useful approach for large maps is to fold branches you are not working on, then use Zoom to fit or zoom in to focus on the remaining section. Unfold the branches again when you need to see their contents.
Control what you see
The View menu also lets you show or hide elements that can affect how the map looks while you work.
You can:
- Turn Show grid on or off.
- Turn Auto layout on or off.
- Show or hide comments.
- Show reactions.
- Show collaborator cursors.
The grid can help when you want additional visual guidance while arranging your map. If you find it distracting, turn it off for a cleaner canvas.
Similarly, hiding comments, reactions, or collaborator cursors can help you focus on the map itself when you do not need those elements.
Use labels to understand the structure
Labels let you number nodes according to the structure of your map. You can choose:
- None
- Sequence by level
- Hierarchical numbers
- Sequential numbers
Labels can be particularly helpful for structured maps where you need to refer to specific nodes or show the relationship between different levels.
If numbering does not add useful information, None keeps the map simpler.
Give yourself more space
Use Full screen when you want the map to take up more of your screen. This can be useful when reviewing a detailed map, working with a large number of nodes, or presenting the map to others.
When you need to return to your normal workspace, exit full-screen view.
Choose the right view for the task
Different view options work well for different situations:
- Exploring a large map: Start with Zoom to fit, then zoom in on the branch you need.
- Working on one section: Fold unrelated branches and zoom in on the section you are editing.
- Reviewing the overall structure: Unfold the relevant branches and use Zoom to fit.
- Arranging nodes: Turn on Show grid if the additional visual guidance is useful.
- Collaborating: Keep comments, reactions, and collaborator cursors visible when you need them.
- Presenting or reviewing: Use Full screen and adjust the zoom so the relevant information is easy to see. You can press F11 for faster access.
Tips
- Use Zoom to fit as a quick way to reset your view when you become lost in a large map.
- Zoom in for detailed work and zoom out when you need to understand how a section fits into the rest of the map.
- Fold branches that are not relevant to the task you are currently working on.
- Use Recenter view when the map has moved away from the center of your workspace.
- Turn off visual elements you do not need to keep the canvas uncluttered.
- Use Full screen when you need more room to work or review a map.
Related features
- How to Fold and Unfold Nodes
- How to Use Auto Layout
- How to Customize Map Layout
- How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Make large maps easier to navigate
You do not need to keep your entire map visible all the time. Fold branches you are not using, zoom in when you need detail, and use Zoom to fit to return to the bigger picture. Adjust the View options to create a workspace that works for the way you are using your map.
Ready to explore your map? Open Mindmup and try these navigation tools as you work.