Whiteboard Diagram

How to make a mind map

A mind map puts one topic in the middle and branches ideas out from it. Make one to brainstorm, plan, or take notes on something with many parts.

A mind map with “Product launch” in the middle and four coloured branches: Audience, Channels, Timeline and Risks, each with two topics. A mind map with “Product launch” in the middle and four coloured branches: Audience, Channels, Timeline and Risks, each with two topics.
A launch plan: the topic in the middle, a colour per branch.

Step by step

  1. Pick Mind map from the Diagram menu, choose New mind map and type the central topic.

    A new mind map: the central topic “Product launch”. A new mind map: the central topic “Product launch”.

  2. Press Tab for a first branch, then Enter for each next one beside it. The map arranges itself as you type.

    Three branches around Product launch: Audience and Channels on the right, Timeline on the left. Three branches around Product launch: Audience and Channels on the right, Timeline on the left.

  3. Select any topic and press Tab for its own sub-topics. Each branch keeps its colour; Delete removes a topic with everything under it.

    Timeline with two sub-topics, Beta in May and Launch in June, in the branch’s colour. Timeline with two sub-topics, Beta in May and Launch in June, in the branch’s colour.

Tips

Mermaid

Paste this onto the board, or use Board menu → Import Mermaid…; Export Mermaid… writes a board back as text. 

mindmap
  Product launch
    Audience
      Small teams
      Students
    Channels
    Timeline

Topics nest by indentation under one root. Mermaid’s node shapes and icons aren’t imported: the map has its own look. More on Mermaid import and export.