Reorganize topics

Drag and drop topics on a map

You can drag and drop topics in Map view, when viewing a slide, or in Walk Through view.

• To copy, press CTRL as you drag and drop.

• To create or move a floating topic, press SHIFT as you drag and drop.

• Callouts remain attached to their parent when they are moved. Use Cut and Paste to move a callout to a different parent.
  Read Hint

  If you want objects to snap to a grid during drag and drop, enable the Snap to grid option.

  You can use drag and drop to move and copy topics between maps that you are viewing simultaneously.

Reposition main topics

Normally, when you move a main topic MindManager automatically determines the best new location for it. The result is that the topic may not be located just where you want it - especially on maps with only a few main topics.

• To move a main topic to a specific position do one of the following:

• Drag the topic by its handle.

• Press ALT while you drag the topic to its new position.

• Drag the topic using the right mouse button.
  Read Hint

  If you don't see any topic handles use the Show / Hide command to display Main Topic Handles.

Once you drop the topic at its new position its handle becomes black to show that it has been freely positioned. The topic will maintain this approximate position as you add to or edit your map but may shift slightly to avoid overlapping with other topics.

Use automatic topic positioning

Return topics to their default positions

• For a single topic, right-click, and then click Reset Position.

• For all topics, right-click the map background, and then click Reset All Topic Positions.

• Press CTRL+ALT+SPACE

Balance topics

You can ensure that new main topics are distributed evenly on the map as you add them by enabling the Balance new main topics option.

To distribute topics evenly on the map at any time, do one of the following:

Read Hint

Allow floating topic overlap

To allow map subtopics to overlap a floating topic, right-click the floating topic and clear the Snapped option. When checked, this option causes floating topics to move out of the way of new subtopics. Note that this option is re-enabled automatically if you move the floating topic.

Drag and drop topics in Outline View

• Select the topic(s) and drag them to a new position in the outline. A visual cue appears showing where the topic(s) will be added.

• Drag topics up and down to reorder them.

• Point to the left half of the target topic to create a sibling (topic at the same level).

• Point to the right half of the target topic to create a subtopic of the target.
  Read Hint

  To copy, press CTRL as you drag and drop.

Cut, copy, and paste topics

Besides using the direct drag and drop method, you can also move and copy topics using the Cut, Copy and Paste commands. You can use this method to copy topics to another map, to move or duplicate topics on the Gantt chart, or to move or paste a topic as a callout.

1. Select the topic you want to copy or move.

2. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy or Cut .

3. Press CTRL+C to copy or CTRL+X to cut.

3. Optional Switch to the map you want to paste to.

4. Do one of the following:
   

   Select the target topic (the pasted topic becomes a subtopic).

   Or

   Click on an empty space on the map (the pasted topic becomes a floating topic).

5. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Paste to create a subtopic of the current topic.
    Read Hint

   To paste the text inside the topic or to create other topics, select an option in the Paste button menu.

5. Press CTRL+V to create a subtopic of the current topic

6. Press CTRL+ALT+V to create a sibling of the current topic.

Paste a topic as a callout

1. Select the topic you want to copy or move.

2. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy or Cut .

• Press CTRL+C to copy or CTRL+X to cut.

3. Optional Switch to the map you want to paste to.

4. Right-click the target topic, click Paste, then click Paste as callout.

Sort topics

This command lets you quickly sort a set of selected topics and their sub-topics. If you select the central topic, you sort the whole map.

1. Select the topic(s), or select the central topic to sort the whole map.

2. On the Advanced tab, in the Edit Topics group, click the Sort arrow, then click Sort Options and choose the options to use.  
   Read Note

   If you do not see the Sort command, you need to enable the Sort Topics add-in.

3. Click OK to sort the map with the current settings.
   Read Hint

   To instantly sort a branch or the whole map: click Sort in the Advanced tab's Edit Topics group to sort the map using the default options: Alphanumeric sort, subtopics only sort depth, forward sort direction.

The map topics are sorted and reorganized. On the map, main topics begin at the upper-right and continue clockwise, and subtopics are sorted top to bottom.

Delete or remove topics

You can delete a topic including all its subtopics and callouts, or you can remove a topic but leave its subtopics and callouts intact.
 Read Hint

Delete a topic and all of its subtopics

1. Select the topic(s) and do one of the following:
   

   Press DELETE. The topic(s) (including icons, images and shapes), attached subtopics and callouts will be deleted.

   Or

   On the Home tab, click the Delete button, and then select Topic.

Remove a topic, but keep all its subtopics and callouts

1. Right-click the topic, then click Remove Topic.

2. Press CTRL+SHIFT+DELETE.

2. The topic (including icons, images and shapes) will be removed, and its subtopics will be promoted up one level. Its attached callouts will be converted to floating topics. (The new floating topics will not display in Outline View, but will appear on the map.)
   Read Note

   If you removed or deleted the topic(s) in error, click Undo on the Quick Access Toolbar to restore them.