Mind Map

Visualize concept relationships and see the big picture of your notes

Mind maps transform your notes into visual concept maps, showing how ideas connect and relate. Perfect for visual learners and understanding complex topics, mind maps reveal the structure and relationships that might be hidden in linear text.

Interactive mind map showing connected concept nodes

What is a Mind Map?

A mind map is a visual diagram that represents information hierarchically:

  • Central node: Main topic at the center
  • Branches: Major subtopics radiating outward
  • Sub-branches: Details extending from subtopics
  • Connections: Lines showing relationships between concepts

AI automatically generates mind maps from your notes, organizing concepts based on their relationships and importance.

💡TIP

Mind maps are incredible for exam prep! They help you see the "big picture" and understand how everything fits together—essential for essay questions and comprehensive exams.

Accessing the Mind Map

1
Open your note

Navigate to any note from the Notes tab.

2
Go to Study Tools

Tap the Study Tools tab.

3
Tap 'Mind Map'

Select the Mind Map card. The interactive map loads.

Understanding the Mind Map

Node Types

Central Node (largest):

  • The main subject of your note
  • Positioned in the center
  • Usually the note title or overarching concept

Primary Nodes (large):

  • Major topics or sections
  • Branch directly from the central node
  • Represent main ideas

Secondary Nodes (medium):

  • Subtopics and key concepts
  • Branch from primary nodes
  • Provide details and examples

Tertiary Nodes (small):

  • Specific facts, definitions, examples
  • Branch from secondary nodes
  • Fine-grained details

Visual Elements

Node Colors:

  • Different colors for different topic categories
  • Helps visually group related concepts
  • Can customize color scheme in settings

Connection Lines:

  • Solid lines: Direct hierarchical relationships (parent-child)
  • Dashed lines: Cross-references (related but not hierarchical)
  • Thick lines: Strong relationships
  • Thin lines: Weaker or supporting relationships

Node Shapes:

  • Circles: Concepts/topics
  • Rounded rectangles: Definitions
  • Diamonds: Key points or questions
  • Rectangles: Examples or applications

Interacting with the Mind Map

Zoom:

  • Pinch gesture: Zoom in/out
  • Zoom buttons: +/- buttons in corner
  • Double-tap node: Zoom to focus on that branch

Pan:

  • Drag gesture: Move around the map
  • Two-finger drag: Faster panning

Reset View:

  • Fit to screen button: Return to full map view
  • Shows all nodes at optimal zoom

Node Interaction

Tap a node to:

  • View full text (if abbreviated)
  • See related flashcards
  • Jump to that section in the Reading tab
  • View linked concepts
  • Access quick actions menu

Long-press a node to:

  • Add personal notes to this concept
  • Create flashcard from this node
  • Mark as "mastered" or "needs review"
  • Share this concept
  • Collapse/expand branch

Swipe on node (some devices):

  • Swipe up: Show related nodes
  • Swipe down: Hide sub-branches

Filtering and Focus

Filter by mastery:

  • Show only weak concepts (red nodes)
  • Show only mastered concepts (green nodes)
  • Show all (default)

Filter by type:

  • Definitions only
  • Examples only
  • Key concepts only
  • All types

Focus mode:

  • Tap a node and select "Focus"
  • Map shows only that branch
  • Reduces clutter for complex maps
📌REMEMBER

Mind maps for long notes can have 50+ nodes! Use filtering and focus mode to avoid overwhelm. Start with the big picture, then drill down into specific branches.

Using Mind Maps for Study

Strategy 1: Big Picture First

1
View the full map

Start with all nodes visible at zoom level that shows everything.

2
Identify major branches

Look at primary nodes. These are your main topics.

3
Understand relationships

Follow the connections. How do topics relate?

4
Spot gaps

Notice anything missing? Concepts you don't recognize? Mark them.

5
Drill into details

Zoom in on branches you need to study more deeply.

Strategy 2: Test Your Mental Model

1
Hide the map

Without looking, try to recreate it mentally or on paper.

2
Draw what you remember

Sketch the central topic, major branches, and connections.

3
Compare with the map

Open the mind map and compare. What did you miss?

4
Study missing pieces

Use the Reading tab or Q&A to learn what you couldn't recall.

5
Try again later

Repeat this exercise to build stronger mental models.

Strategy 3: Connection Discovery

1
Pick two concepts

Choose any two nodes that seem unrelated.

2
Find the path

Trace the connections between them. How do they relate?

3
Explain the connection

Can you articulate why they're linked? Use Q&A if unsure.

4
Look for hidden connections

Are there relationships the map doesn't show? Add notes about them.

This builds deeper understanding beyond surface-level memorization.

Mind Map Features

Find concepts quickly:

  1. Tap the search icon
  2. Type a keyword
  3. Matching nodes highlight
  4. Tap result to jump to that node

Perfect for large maps with many nodes.

Export

Share or save your mind map:

Export as Image:

  • PNG or JPG format
  • Include in study guides or presentations
  • Share with study partners

Export as Text Outline:

  • Hierarchical bullet list
  • Copy to notes or other apps

Export to Mind Mapping Software:

  • FreeMind format (.mm)
  • XMind format
  • MindManager format

Customization (Premium)

Visual Styling:

  • Change color scheme (pastel, vibrant, monochrome)
  • Adjust node sizes
  • Modify font sizes
  • Change connection line styles

Layout Options:

  • Radial (default): Branches spread out from center
  • Tree: Top-down hierarchical layout
  • Organic: Free-form, AI-optimized spacing

Content Options:

  • Show/hide node icons
  • Show/hide secondary details
  • Abbreviate long text or show full

Combining Mind Maps with Other Tools

Mind Map + Reading

Use the mind map as a navigation tool:

  1. View the map to see structure
  2. Tap a node you want to study
  3. Jump to Reading tab at that section
  4. Read in detail
  5. Return to map to navigate to next topic

This gives you context (map) and depth (reading) simultaneously.

Mind Map + Flashcards

Understand before memorizing:

  1. Use mind map to understand relationships
  2. Switch to flashcards to drill details
  3. When stuck, return to map to see context
  4. Memorization is easier with structure in mind

Mind Map + Q&A

Clarify connections:

  1. Notice a confusing connection in the map
  2. Open Q&A and ask: "How does [concept A] relate to [concept B]?"
  3. AI explains the relationship
  4. Return to map with better understanding

Mind Map + Quizzes

Test structural knowledge:

After studying the map:

  1. Take a quiz to test recall
  2. Wrong answers often reveal structural misunderstandings
  3. Return to map to fix mental model
  4. Retake quiz to verify improvement

Tips for Effective Mind Map Use

Mind map best practices:

  1. Start with overview: Get the big picture before diving into details
  2. Follow natural paths: Let your eye follow branches that interest you
  3. Color code personally: Add your own colors for categories that make sense to you
  4. Print it out: For exams, print and annotate by hand
  5. Recreate from memory: Best test of understanding
  6. Connect notes: Look for connections between multiple note maps
  7. Use for essays: Plan essay structure using map hierarchy
  8. Teaching tool: Explain the map to someone else—ultimate mastery
  9. Update regularly: As you learn more, mental models evolve
  10. Combine with linear notes: Map = structure, text = details—both matter

Common Mind Map Patterns

Different subjects create different map structures:

History Notes: Timeline-based, event nodes with cause-effect connections

Science Notes: Central theory with evidence branches, application sub-branches

Programming Notes: Language features branch into syntax, examples, use cases

Literature Notes: Themes, characters, plot points interconnect complexly

Math Notes: Formulas branch into variables, applications, example problems

Recognizing these patterns helps you navigate maps more intuitively.

What's Next?

Explore other study tools:

Or continue your study journey:

See the big picture, understand the details!