Adding and Editing Nodes

Nodes are the building blocks of your mind map. Each node represents a concept, idea, or piece of information. This guide covers how to add, edit, and organize nodes effectively.

Adding New Nodes

Method 1: Drag from Existing Node

1. Click on any existing node in your mind map to select it
2. Four small plus (+) icons will appear around the selected node
3. Drag any of the plus icons to a blank area of the canvas
4. A dialog box will appear asking you to enter the new node's text
5. Type your content and press Enter or click "Add"
6. The new node will be created and automatically connected to the parent node

Method 2: Using the Toolbar

1. Select the node you want to add a child to
2. Click the "Add Node" button in the toolbar
3. Enter the node text in the dialog that appears
4. The new node will be added as a child of the selected node

Method 3: Keyboard Shortcut

1. Select a node
2. Press Tab to add a child node
3. Press Enter to add a sibling node (at the same level)
4. Type the node text and press Enter to confirm

Editing Nodes

Editing Node Text

1. Double-click on any node to enter edit mode
2. The node text will become editable
3. Make your changes
4. Press Enter or click outside the node to save
5. Press Escape to cancel changes

Changing Node Appearance

Select a node and use the formatting options to customize its appearance:

• Color: Change the node's background color to categorize or prioritize
• Icon: Add an icon to the node for visual identification
• Text style: Bold, italic, or normal text formatting
• Size: Adjust the node size to emphasize important concepts

Organizing Nodes

Moving Nodes

• Drag a node to reposition it on the canvas
• Drag a node onto another node to make it a child of that node
• Drag a node to a blank area to make it a top-level node

Deleting Nodes

• Select a node and press Delete to remove it
• Deleting a node also removes all its children
• Use Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo accidental deletions

Collapsing and Expanding Branches

For large maps, you can collapse branches to focus on specific areas:

• Click the collapse/expand icon on a node to hide or show its children
• Collapsed nodes show a count of hidden children
• This is useful for focusing on one branch at a time

Tips for Effective Node Management

• Keep text concise: Use keywords and short phrases, not full sentences
• Use consistent formatting: Same color for same category, same style for same level
• Limit children per node: 5-7 children per node is ideal for readability
• Use icons for quick recognition: Visual cues help you navigate large maps faster
• Regular cleanup: Periodically review and remove redundant or outdated nodes