Subtopics layout

The topic formatting options on the Subtopics Layout tab control the growth direction for subtopics of the current topic, the connecting line style and anchor position, and the relative parent-child and subtopic spacing. You can select multiple topics and change their layouts, or save your settings as new style defaults to change the entire map.

Hint: using a different Growth Direction on floating topics with subtopics gives them a distinctive appearance.

To change the growth direction, Line Style, Line Anchor, or relative topic spacing :

1. Select the topic(s).

• Use the Formatting toolbar and Advanced Formatting toolbars to quickly adjust the layout options:
  On the Formatting toolbar, set the Growth direction . This setting applies to the currently selected topic and all its subtopics, or to the whole map if you have the Central Topic selected. For Org chart topics, the direction applies to 3 levels by default.
  
  On the Advanced formatting toolbar buttons set the topic layout options for the currently-selected topic: Line Style   Line Anchor     Sibling topic spacing       Parent-child spacing.
  
  One additional button on the main toolbar,   Balance Map distributes the subtopics evenly around the central topic.

Note: If you don't see the Formatting toolbars, right-click on any toolbar and check the Formatting and Advanced Formatting options to display them.

For more layout options:

1. Do one of the following:

• Right-click on the topic and choose Format Topic

• Click Format - Topic

2. Change the settings on the Subtopics Layout tab to meet your needs:

• The Growth Direction applies to the selected topic and all its sub-topics (it applies to the whole map if you have the Central topic selected). For Org-chart topics, you may choose the number of levels to include. Topics below this level return to Map topics unless you specify a different format for them.

• Other settings only apply to the selected topic (they apply to the whole map if you have the Central Topic selected but topics you have already formatted are not changed). The measurement units used for spacing  (in or mm) are set in the Tools - Options - General tab.

Note: The spacing between Main Topics on the map is controlled using the General Layout option for Minimum Main Topics Height.

Hint: Some experimentation may be required to get just the right "look" for your map - click Apply to see how your settings will look without leaving the dialog.

2. On any of the tabs, use the Style button if you wish to:

• Save all the topic's format settings as the default style for topics of the same type at this level. The settings become part of the current map's style. All existing topics at this level assume these attributes (unless they have been individually formatted), as will any new topics you create. You will see these new attributes reflected if you use the Modify Style command.

• Reset all of the topic's formatting to the defaults of the current style.