Mind Map Editor

The online mind map editor is built on Mind Elixir and lets you create, edit, and connect nodes in the browser, then export the result as a PNG image. It requires no account, works with over 20 keyboard shortcuts, and supports three layout directions. Data is stored in browser local storage — switching devices or clearing the cache will lose your work, so export important maps promptly.

Layout Directions

Three layout options are available via keyboard shortcuts:

• Ctrl + → — right distribution (all branches extend right, default)
• Ctrl + ← — left distribution (all branches extend left)
• Ctrl + ↑ — bilateral distribution (branches split left and right from the root)

Layout changes are immediate and do not affect existing content.

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

Node operations: Tab adds a child node, Enter adds a sibling node, Ctrl+Enter adds a parent node, F2 edits the current node, Delete/Backspace removes a node.

View control: F1 centers the map, Ctrl++ zooms in, Ctrl+- zooms out, Ctrl+0 resets zoom.

Collapse/expand: Ctrl+K then Ctrl+0 collapses all, Ctrl+K then Ctrl+= expands all, Ctrl+K then Ctrl+1–9 expands to a specific depth level.

Creating Connections Between Nodes

Right-click the starting node, choose "Connect" from the context menu, then click the target node. Connection lines represent non-hierarchical relationships. Select a connection line and press Delete to remove it. Avoid creating too many cross-connections — they make the map harder to read than a clean hierarchy.

Node Count and Performance

Keep a single map under 100 nodes for smooth editing. When content is complex, split it into multiple separate maps focused on distinct topics rather than forcing everything into one large hierarchy.

Exporting as PNG

Click "Download Image" to export. The filename includes an export timestamp. Image size scales with node count — a large map produces a large file. For other formats like SVG or PDF, use a system screenshot tool or dedicated mind map software.