Mind Maps

Mind maps are a fast way to capture ideas and organize them into a branching hierarchy. Diagrammix includes a dedicated mind-mapping mode where the whole map behaves as one connected structure: add a node and the layout rearranges itself automatically, so you can think at the speed of typing.

Note: Mind maps are a PRO feature.

Creating a Mind Map

  1. Select the Mindmap tool from the toolbar
  2. Click anywhere on the canvas

Diagrammix creates a root node with a few balanced child branches, ready for you to type. The map keeps itself tidy — as you add, remove, or reorder nodes, branches re-flow automatically.

Creating a mind map

Building the Map with the Keyboard

Mind maps are designed to be grown without leaving the keyboard. Select a single node, then:

KeyAction
TabAdd a child node and start editing it
ReturnAdd a sibling node
Shift+TabAdd a parent node
Arrow keysMove the selection between nodes
Option+UpMove the node earlier among its siblings
Option+DownMove the node later among its siblings

Double-click any node (or just start typing on a selected node) to edit its text.

Structures

A mind map's structure controls how branches are arranged. Choose one from the Inspector when a node is selected:

StructureDescription
Mind MapClassic radial layout; root in the center, branches balanced left and right
LogicalBranches flow in a single direction
Org ChartChildren arranged below the parent — ideal for hierarchies
TreeCompact parent → child tree
CatalogChildren stacked below-right of the parent
FishboneDiagonal branches off a horizontal spine — great for cause-and-effect
TimelineTop-level branches arranged along a horizontal axis
Vertical TimelineTop-level branches arranged along a vertical axis

Switching structures re-flows the entire map instantly — your content stays the same.

Styling Nodes

When a mind map node is selected, the Inspector shows mind-map-specific controls:

  • Theme — Default, Vibrant, Muted, or Dark. Themes assign a coordinated palette to each branch.
  • Branches — choose how connectors are drawn (smooth, straight, or elbow), where the structure supports it
  • Node Shape — Rounded, Rectangle, Ellipse, Diamond, or Hexagon
  • Icon — add a single emoji or character to a node
  • Group Frame — wrap a branch in a labeled outer frame
  • Summary — add a summary bracket that labels a span of sibling nodes
  • Reset Node to Theme — clear manual overrides and return a node to its theme defaults

Mind map inspector

Importing and Exporting

Mind maps interoperate with other outlining and mind-mapping tools.

Markdown

  • Edit → Paste Markdown as Mindmap turns a Markdown outline (nested bullet or heading list) into a mind map
  • Edit → Copy Mindmap as Markdown copies the selected map as a Markdown outline

Files

From File → Export, you can save a mind map as:

  • Markdown (.md)
  • OPML (.opml) — for outliners and other mind-mapping apps
  • XMind (.xmind)

Finding Nodes

In a large map, use Edit → Find Mindmap Node… to jump straight to a node by name.

Tips

  1. Type, don't drag — grow the whole map with Tab and Return; let auto-layout handle positioning
  2. Pick the structure last — capture ideas first, then switch structures to find the clearest arrangement
  3. Use icons sparingly — a few emoji make key branches easy to scan
  4. Group frames for themes — wrap related branches in a labeled frame to group sections visually
  5. Round-trip your outlines — draft in Markdown, paste as a mind map, refine, then copy back out