Create a mind map in Lucid

Watch: Create mind maps in Lucid

The basics of mind maps

A mind map, also called a concept map, is used to visualize the parts of a main theme or idea. The central idea of a mind map is represented in the middle and the lines that branch out are used to connect each individual part of the central idea.

Here’s some standard mind map terminology to know:

• The root or base is the center node of a mind map, representing a central theme or idea.
• Nodes contain keywords that represent pieces of information.
  • The parent node represents a main idea from the root.
  • A child node contains information related to its parent node.
  • Multiple child nodes of the same parent node are called sibling groups. 
• Branches connect each node and idea to the root.
• A level of a mind map refers to all of the shapes that have equal degrees of separation from the root.

To summarize, a mind map is constructed with a hierarchy where the root is the central idea. Each related idea is represented in branches to parent nodes, child nodes, and sibling groups. Generally, as you add ideas further from the root, you can represent more granular or specific ideas and keywords.

Add a mind map to a Lucid document

1. Click the Organizers icon from the toolbar on the left-side of the canvas.
2. Select Mind Map from the menu that appears.
3. Click anywhere on the canvas.
   • If the mind map was your most recently used organizer, you can also drag and drop it directly from the toolbar onto the canvas.

For full instructions to add a mind map in the classic Lucidchart editor, expand the dropdown below.

Edit a mind map

After following the steps above to add a mind map to the canvas, you’re ready to start adding your ideas.

You can:

• Edit text by clicking a node and typing.
• Add a new node by selecting an existing node and clicking the plus icon that appears.
  • The plus icon to the side of a node will add a new child node.
  • The plus icon below a node will add a new sibling node.
• Collapse a node and any child or sibling nodes connected to it by clicking the minus icon.
• Move a node to a new branch by clicking and dragging it to a new spot in the mind map.
  
• Add emoji to a node by typing a colon followed by an emoji keyword and selecting an option from the results.
• Delete a node and any child nodes connected to it by selecting the node and pressing “Delete” or “Backspace” on your keyboard.

Customize a mind map

Change the font size, style, and color of text on nodes

1. Click the node you want to customize.
2. Select the Text options icon from the shape editing bar that appears.
   • Alternatively, if the right panel is already open, access the text options there.

From the text options menu, you can make adjustments to font style, size, and color; and add bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough text.

For full instructions to change the font size, style, and color of text on nodes in the classic Lucidchart editor, expand the dropdown below.

Set layout style

1. Select the mind map's root node. 
2. In Lucidspark, click the layout icon from the context toolbar that appears near the shape.
   • In Lucidchart, click the right panel icon on the right side of the canvas to open the panel.

3. Choose a horizontal or vertical layout.

   

For full instructions to set layout style in the classic Lucidchart editor, expand the dropdown below.

Use AI to build a mind map

Leverage the power and ease of Lucid AI to build an even more comprehensive mind map. Here's how:

1. Select a node in your mind map that you want to generate ideas from.
2. Click the AI icon from the shape editing bar that appears.
   • In Lucidchart,  you can also use the options available in the “Lucid AI” section of the right panel.
3. Type in the text box that appears or select from options like Expand with ideas or Expand with questions.

New ideas or questions will branch from the node you selected. You can rearrange or edit generated nodes by following the steps in the Edit a mind map section of this article.

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