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 provides different tools for working with individual nodes, connections, and the map as a whole. Knowing where to find these tools can help you work more quickly and efficiently.
The editor has several areas that you'll use regularly.
Top-left menu
The top-left menu contains the main options for working with your map and navigating the editor.
From this menu, you can:
- Go Back to Home
- Use Edit for editing and selection actions
- Use View for navigating and changing the way you view the map
- Use Insert to add content
- Use Text for text formatting
- Access other map-level options such as importing, exporting, sharing, renaming, duplicating, moving, and viewing version history
The available options are organized within this menu, so you don't need to look for separate menus elsewhere in the editor.
Quick menus
Quick menus give you faster access to actions for specific elements in your map.
To open a quick menu, select the element you want to work with.
Depending on what you select, you can access different quick menus:
- Node quick menu: Select a node to edit its appearance, add content, or perform actions on that node.
- Connection line quick menu: Select a connection line to access actions and settings for that connection.
Quick menus are useful when you want to make changes directly to an element without searching through the main menu.
Top-right tools
The tools in the top-right corner provide access to features such as collaboration, notes, presenting, and sharing.
Center menu
The center menu provides quick access to the Select tool, Add root node, and Reactions & emojis.
Canvas
The canvas is the main workspace where you build, edit, and arrange your map.
You can also right-click the canvas to access additional actions and map-level controls.
Bottom-right controls
The controls in the bottom-right corner provide quick access to actions such as Zoom in, Zoom out, Undo, Redo, and Help Resources.
Build and edit your map
Add nodes
To add a node, select an existing node and use the + button that appears beside or below it. The position of the + button determines whether you add a child or sibling node.
You can also use keyboard shortcuts. The shortcuts depend on the map's layout:
- Horizontal layout: Tab adds a child node; Enter adds a sibling node.
- Vertical layout: Enter adds a child node; Tab adds a sibling node.
Edit node text
To edit a node's text, select the node and press Space, or double-click the node.
Use the Node quick menu when you want to make changes to the selected node or add content to it.
Use the Actions menu
The Actions menu provides additional ways to work with a selected node.
Select a node and click the Actions (3-dot) menu, or right-click the node to open the Actions menu. These include options for selecting related nodes, folding or unfolding branches, copying and pasting, changing styles, detaching or repositioning a node, creating a linked submap, and deleting the node.
Edit multiple nodes
You can make changes to several nodes at once by holding Shift while selecting the nodes you want to work with.
Once multiple nodes are selected, you can perform supported actions on the selection as a group. This is useful when you want to apply the same change to several nodes instead of editing each one individually.
Mindmup also provides selection options for working with related groups of nodes, such as a subtree, children, siblings, or all nodes.
Use the Edit menu
For broader editing actions, open the top-left menu and select Edit.
The Edit menu provides actions 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 its Node 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 lets you keep supporting material together with the idea it belongs to without adding all of the information directly to the node.
Work with connections
You can also add connections between nodes to show relationships. After adding a connection, click the connecting line to open its quick menu.
From the connection line quick menu, you can change the Line style, add an arrow, choose a Solid line or Dashed line, adjust Line thickness, or Add text to the connection.
If you add text to a connection, click the connection label to open its quick menu. You can then format the label's Font style, Font size, Text color, and Text style, or use Actions for additional options.
Navigate and organize your map
As your map grows, the View options can help you focus on different parts of the map.
Open the top-left menu and select View to access available viewing and navigation options.
For example, you can:
- Use Fold to temporarily hide part of a map.
- Use Zoom to fit to see the whole map.
- Use Recenter view to bring the map back into view.
- Use Find when you need to locate a particular node.
You can also use keyboard shortcuts for frequently used actions. For example, press F to fold or unfold a subtree.
Customize individual nodes
To change the appearance of an individual node, select it and use the Node quick menu.
You can adjust properties such as its:
- Colors
- Shape
- Font
- Size
- Alignment
- Text style
This lets you customize a specific node without changing the appearance of the entire map.
You can also select multiple nodes with Shift and apply supported changes to them as a group.
Customize the map as a whole
When you want to make broader changes to the map's appearance, use Customize layout & style.
This provides controls for the overall map layout and styling. Depending on the map type, you can change aspects such as the map direction, colors, text, shapes, and lines.
A useful distinction is:
Node quick menu → customize selected nodes
Customize layout & style → customize the map as a whole
Share and collaborate
When you want to give other people access to your map, use Share in the top-right corner of the editor.
From Share, you can invite people, share with teams, manage existing access, and configure general access.
The top-right tools also provide access to collaboration features and other tools you can use while working on your map.
Use the right-click menu
Right-clicking provides additional actions without requiring you to open the main menus.
When you right-click a node, you can access actions such as Notes, Select Related, Fold, Unfold, Copy, and Paste, along with other node actions.
Right-clicking the canvas provides additional map-level options.
Use keyboard shortcuts
Many common editor actions have keyboard shortcuts.
For example:
Space — edit node text
F — fold or unfold a subtree
To see the complete list, open Help & resources→ Keyboard shortcuts.
Example use cases
- Brainstorming
Start with a root node and add child or sibling nodes as ideas come to you. Use the Node quick menu to add supporting information or customize individual ideas, then reorganize the map as your thinking develops.
- 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 break them down into smaller nodes. 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 for adding and working with these elements.
Tips
- Use the + button or keyboard shortcuts when building out your map.
- Select an element to access its relevant quick menu.
- Use Shift to select multiple nodes when you want to work with them as a group.
- Use the Node quick menu for individual node customization and Customize layout & style for map-wide changes.
- Use the right-click menu for quick access to secondary actions.
- Open Help & resources → Keyboard shortcuts when you want to find a shortcut for a frequently used action.
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 Add Notes
- How to Customize Map Layout
- How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts
- How to Use Argument Visualization
Ready to explore the editor? Create a new map or open an existing one, then try adding a few nodes. Select a node to explore its quick menu, and use the editor's menus and shortcuts as you build and customize your map.