Create a new map

Create a blank map

For a new, blank map, do one of the following in the main MindManager window:

• Double-click on an empty area of the bottom workbook tabs bar.

• On the Quick Access Toolbar, click New .

• Click the File tab, click New Blank Map.

• Press CTRL+N.

MindManager opens a new map based on the New Blank Map template.

Each new blank map begins with a central topic, or title. To begin, click on the central topic and enter the theme of your map. Then, go on to create other topics. Read Hint

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Create a new map based on a Map Template

You can create a new map using a Map Template shown in the New Map dialog, or if you are connected to the Internet, you can choose a template from the Online Gallery or from the Maps for That! collection.

1. Do one of the following:
   

   On the Quick Access Toolbar, click the New arrow , and then click From Template.

   Or

   Click the File tab, and then click New.

The set of built-in map templates is displayed, organized into sections with titles such as Project Management, Strategic Planning, and Personal Productivity.

2. Browse the built-in map templates under Templates Home :

• The Blank templates offer basic MindManager templates in several map layouts: org-chart, radial, right-facing, tree, and flowchart.  

• My Templates lists templates you have added using the Add Template button or through the Template Organizer in the Design tab.  

• Click any of the Local Templates categories (Management, Meetings and Events, Personal Productivity, Problem Solving, Project Management, Strategic Planning, and Flowcharts) to see pre-designed  template options.

• In Online Templates, click either Online Gallery or Maps for That!, select a category, and then browse  the displayed templates.

3. Do one of the following:

• Click a template to open up a preview window. Then click Create Map or close by clicking the X at top right.

• Double-click the desired template to use as a basis for the new map. Read Hint

  To navigate back to the top level of Templates, use the Back button  or the template folder breadcrumbs at the top of the page.

Add a Map Template to the set of built-in templates

1. If you don't see the Template you want to use in the dialog, click the Add Template button  at top right.

2. Navigate to the location of the Template file you wish to add, and then click Open.

3. The Template will appear with the set  of built-in templates in the New Map dialog. Read Hint

   See Modify a Map Template for more information on editing Map Templates.

Create a new map from an existing map

To add to or modify an existing map without changing the original, use the Save As command in the File tab or the Quick Access Toolbar to save the map under a new name.

Create a new map from a branch on an existing map

You can create a new map from topics on an existing map by  using the Send Topic(s) To command. You may want to use this feature if:

• You want to duplicate a topic or topics in a new map.
• Your map gets large and you want to "break off" topics to create a separate map. You can link these maps together, and then use the Linked Maps View to see previews of all the linked maps and execute a variety of commands on them.

1. Do one of the following:
   

   Right-click the topic.

   Or

   Select several topics and then right-click on one of them.

2. Click Send Topic(s)To, and then click New Linked Map.

• If you selected a single topic you can choose whether it will become the central topic or a main topic (branching off a new central topic) on the new map.

• If you want to remove the topics from the current map, choose the Delete original topics and create links to exported topics. The topics will move to the new map and links will be added to the original map that point to the new map.

• If you want the exported topics to link back to the original map, check Create links from exported topics to original topics.

Otherwise, the topics are simply copied to create a new map but the original is left unchanged. (This produces the same result as copying the topics, opening a new map and pasting them.)

Create a new map by importing a file from another application

You can import a file from another application to use its content as the basis for a map. MindManager can open:

• Microsoft Word documents

• Microsoft Excel spreadsheets

• Microsoft Project files

• Microsoft Project Exchange (MPX) files

• OPML documents

• FreeMind files

• XMind or XMind:ZEN files

1. On the File tab, click Import.

2. Click the type of file you want to import, select the file, and then click Open.

See Work with Microsoft Word, Work with Microsoft Project, Import a Microsoft Excel file, Import an MPX file, Import a FreeMind file, Import an XMind file and Import an OPML document for more information on using these files.